Spartanburg Dog Bite Lawyer

Properly trained and contained domesticated dogs are friendly and lovable companions. However, some dogs are inclined to bark and bite, while others might unintentionally bite when they are excited or scared. Regardless of the cause of a dog bite, the outcome is often the same: the victim suffers a serious and emotionally traumatizing injury, especially if it’s a child. In this situation, the dog’s owner is likely responsible for paying for any losses resulting from the injury.

State law affords fairly generous rights to dog attack victims, but it can be difficult to enforce them without guidance from a personal injury attorney. A Spartanburg dog bite lawyer can help you get fair financial compensation to ensure your financial security and relieve your stress. Call Holland & Usry for a free* case review.

How Liability Works for Dog Bite Injuries

When a dog bites a person without provocation, South Carolina is one of a few states that universally imposes strict liability on dog owners for all injuries their dogs cause through biting and other types of attacks, such as jumping up or knocking someone over.

This means to sue the owner for compensation, you don’t need to prove that they were negligent. With the help of your Spartanburg dog bite attorney, you just need to prove that the defendant named in your claim is the owner—or someone responsible for controlling the dog, such as a pet sitter—and that all your injuries and losses stemmed directly and primarily from that attack.

Understanding Common Defenses to Dog Bite Liability

In some situations, the owner might not be strictly liable for an injury that their dog caused. First, dog owners aren’t automatically responsible for injuries to people who are trespassing on their private property. However, they can be held accountable for injuries to someone who has lawful authority to be on their property—such as a mail carrier—even if the owner did not know they were there.

Second, strict liability generally doesn’t apply if a dog bites someone because they were provoking, harassing, or abusing it. Third, you generally can’t sue if a police dog bit you while under the direct supervision and lawful orders of a law enforcement officer. There are exceptions to this rule, which a dog bite lawyer in Spartanburg can factor into a civil claim when appropriate.

Call a Spartanburg Attorney for Help With Your Dog Bite Claim

Being bitten by a dog can be a frightening—not to mention physically debilitating—experience for anyone. Fortunately, South Carolina law gives you grounds to demand compensation from the owner of the dog that attacked you for losses such as medical expenses, missed income, and physical pain and suffering.

Retaining a Spartanburg dog bite lawyer is a key first step toward achieving the best possible outcome from your unique claim. Call Holland & Usry today to learn more and schedule a free* case review.