Our South Carolina Dog Bite Lawyers Help Injured Victims Seek Justice and Compensation
At the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, we understand that a dog attack can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Our South Carolina dog bite lawyers have helped numerous victims recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Like the civil rights attorneys who fought to protect fundamental human rights, we believe every injured person deserves strong representation to ensure their voice is heard.
Understanding South Carolina's Dog Bite Laws
South Carolina law holds dog owners strictly liable when their pets bite or attack someone. This means victims don't need to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous or had bitten before. However, dog owners and their insurance companies often try to avoid liability by claiming the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing. They might argue you were:
- Trespassing at the time of the attack. The law only protects victims who were legally present where the bite occurred. If you were on private property without permission, you might not have a valid claim.
- Provoking the dog. Actions like hitting, kicking, or taunting a dog could be considered provocation. However, normal behaviors like walking past a dog or making eye contact do not count as provocation under South Carolina law.
- Ignoring warning signs. Property owners might claim they posted "Beware of Dog" signs or verbally warned you about the dog. However, warning signs alone don't shield owners from liability under state law.
- Contributing to the incident. The defense might argue your actions partially caused the attack. South Carolina follows comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation could be reduced if you were partly at fault.
Special Considerations for Children Bitten by Dogs
When a child suffers a dog bite, the case requires special handling due to the following factors:
- More severe injuries. Children are more likely to suffer serious injuries because of their size and inability to defend themselves. They often sustain bites to the face, head, and neck, which can require extensive reconstructive surgery.
- Long-term impact. Dog bites can cause lasting emotional trauma in children, potentially affecting their development and social interactions. Future counseling and therapy costs must be considered when seeking compensation.
- Different legal standards. Courts recognize that children, especially young ones, cannot fully understand or avoid dog bite risks. This means common defenses like provocation or assumption of risk may not apply to child victims.
- Extended statute of limitations. While adults must file claims within three years, the time limit may be extended for children. The statute of limitations typically doesn't begin running until the child turns 18.
How Our South Carolina Dog Bite Lawyers Build Your Case
Building a strong dog bite case requires attention to detail, thorough investigation, and skilled legal strategy. At the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, we approach each case methodically to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation:
- Immediate investigation. We work quickly to preserve evidence, taking detailed photographs of your injuries, the attack location, and any physical evidence. Our team interviews witnesses while memories are fresh and obtains surveillance footage before it's deleted. We also secure animal control reports, veterinary records, and the dog's bite history.
- Documentation of damages. We collect and organize all records related to your emergency care, follow-up treatment, medications, and therapy sessions. We also document your lost wages, keeping detailed records of missed work days and opportunities.
- Liability assessment. While South Carolina's strict liability law makes dog owners responsible in most cases, other parties may share the blame. We investigate whether property owners, landlords, pet sitters, dog walkers, or businesses that allow dangerous dogs on their premises could be partially liable.
- Expert collaboration. Building the strongest possible case often requires expert testimony. We work with medical specialists who can explain your injuries and future treatment needs, mental health professionals who document psychological trauma, life care planners who calculate long-term care costs, and animal behavior experts who can testify about dangerous dog patterns
- Strategic negotiations. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by questioning liability or downplaying injuries. Our experienced attorneys handle all communication with insurance adjusters, counter lowball settlement offers with documented proof of your losses, and prepare your case for trial when a settlement can’t be reached.
Our comprehensive approach helps ensure we build the strongest possible case while you focus on healing. Our goal is to secure compensation that truly reflects the full impact of the attack on your life.