Nearly 5 million Americans are injured in dog bites each year. A majority of dog bite victims are young children. However, a number of adults are also victims of animal attacks. There are certain breeds of dogs such as pit bulls or Rottweilers that we often see on the news in connection with dog attacks. However, the reality is that any dog can bite, no matter what breed and whether or not it is known to be well-behaved. In many cases, the injuries can be extremely serious.
Recently, WSPA News Channel 7 reported that a man in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was bitten by a rabid dog. Eight others may have also been exposed to rabies, a deadly viral disease, through the dog’s saliva. The report did not mention who the owner of the dog was.
South Carolina has a “strict liability statute” when it comes to dog bite cases. This basically means that dog owners are responsible for their pets. If an owner’s dog bites someone, he or she may be held completely liable and financially responsible for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, pain and suffering, and even cosmetic surgery that is warranted in many dog attack cases. The only exception to strict liability is when the dog is provoked or if the dog attacked a burglar or unlawful intruder. Dog owners are liable even if their dogs have never bitten anyone before or have not exhibited prior vicious behavior.
Dog bite personal injury claims and lawsuits can vary from state to state. The South Carolina dog bite injury lawyers at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers have years of experience representing victims of dog bites. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, contact us for a comprehensive evaluation at 1-800-849-SINK. We will come to you and help you through what can be a complex legal process so that you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
The information relayed in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. The cases referenced and explained by the blog’s author(s) are for informational purposes only and are not intended to imply that certain, or similar, results may be achieved in each client’s case.