Free Consultation | Columbia/Sumter(803) 973-0304 | Charleston(843) 388-3368 | Summerville (By appointment only)(843) 388-3368
Free Consultation | Columbia/Sumter(803) 973-0304 | Charleston(843) 388-3368 | Summerville (By appointment only)(843) 388-3368
Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, will represent you in your dog bite case compassionately. Contact our Columbia and Charleston dog bite lawyers anytime for a free consultation.
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Millions suffer dog bites each year. Regrettably, these injuries also occasionally afflict minors. Dog bites can result in puncture wounds, bruises, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. And that’s only the physical injuries. They also cause understandable emotional trauma and distress.
Dog owners must be responsible. That’s where our attorneys step in. We represent dog bite victims. Dayson Shalabi Burkett (DSB) Law Firm, LLC, helps our clients hold irresponsible animal owners accountable. That includes help with evidence, negotiations, and potential personal injury dog bite settlements.
Contact DSB for a free, no-risk consultation today. Speak with a team of personal injury lawyers experienced with dog bite cases in Columbia, SC. Depend on our Columbia dog bite attorneys to require accountability from a dog’s owner or caretaker.
We’re Columbia and Charleston dog-bite lawyers. Because of that, we know that South Carolina law dictates that dog owners are responsible for their dogs regardless of whether their dog has had prior bites in their past. Simply put, dog owners and caretakers are liable for any injuries or deaths their animal may cause.
According to Section 47-3-110 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the dog’s owner or the person overseeing the dog at the time of the bite is responsible for the damages suffered by the victim.
South Carolina operates under a strict liability doctrine. This indicates that the dog’s proprietor does not need to be negligent for you to obtain compensation from a personal injury dog bite settlement. Understandably, laws can be confusing. Contact our team of Columbia, SC, dog bite attorneys for more help understanding this area’s local rules.
Dog bites exist at varying levels. As the levels get higher, the severity of a dog bite and the injuries they cause typically worsen. Level 1 bites cause no harm. A level 6 bite kills. Here’s an explanation of harm caused at different dog bite levels.
This level applies to aggressive behavior from a dog. However, a dog’s teeth never contact your skin in this case. While a loud dog can be startling and possibly fear-inducing, a dog bite attorney in Columbia isn’t likely necessary after a level 1 bite. However, think about contacting an attorney if a dog’s aggression leads to you falling and injuring yourself as a result of your fear of the dog.
Level 2 bites occur when a dog’s teeth contact your skin. That means physical contact occurs. Also, no punctures happen from this bite. If a dog’s teeth nick your skin, and the mark is less than one-tenth of an inch deep, it’s likely a level 2 bite.
A level 2 bite applies when canine teeth move forward or laterally against your skin. Some level 2 dog bites may cause bleeding, but nothing severe. These bites are typically from smaller or otherwise non-dangerous dogs. You should consult with a dog bite attorney in Columbia if you’ve experienced this.
Level 3 dog bite cases in Columbia, SC, occur when one to four of a dog’s teeth puncture your skin deeper than half the length of this animal’s teeth. As you deal with level three dog bites or more severe ones, the need for medical attention becomes absolute. It can also necessitate a consultation with a Columbia dog bite attorney, as you will likely incur medical bills to treat your injuries.
Level 4 bites include dog bites resulting in one to four punctures from a single bite. At least one puncture must go deeper than half the length of a dog’s teeth. If the dog who bit you held on during their bite or caused lacerations by shaking its head while biting you, it may also qualify as a level 4 bite.
As level 4 dog bites can cause severe and sometimes irreversible damage, contacting a Charleston dog bite lawyer is often advisable after they occur. Unlike a non-emergency level 2 dog bite, level 4 incidents are non-playful and typically involve larger dogs.
A level 5 dog bite involves at least two bites. Each bite must inflict at least level 4 damage. As you can imagine, these bites are highly aggressive. Dog bite attorneys in Columbia sometimes work with clients who suffered additional potentially less severe bites as they tried to get away from a dog during a level 5 incident.
Such serious bites may cause a slew of injuries to victims, including:
Understandably, most level 5 bite victims will speak with a dog bite lawyer in Charleston, SC.
Unfortunately, dog bite attorneys in Columbia sometimes take on cases that result in fatalities. One such example is a level 6 dog bite. A level 6 dog bite results in the victim’s death. Because of such a tragic situation, a friend or family member of the deceased steps forward to file a claim. As you can imagine, personal injury dog bite settlements in these instances are often high.
Do you need a dog bite attorney in Columbia, SC? Many options exist. Here’s what differentiates us from other firms.
First, we’re experienced with dog bite cases in Columbia, SC. Our experience lets us navigate the best potential outcome for our clients. This may result in you obtaining a settlement for a personal injury caused by a dog bite.
Plus, our firm doesn’t receive any payment unless you win your case or receive a settlement. This agreement means you don’t pay for representation from our dog bite lawyers if you’re not victorious.
We specialize in providing personalized attention. Our dog bite law firm has the experience of a large firm, but we also pay attention to clients as only smaller firms can. Experience the DSB difference.
Dog bite attorneys in Columbia, SC, often receive questions. However, we get some questions more often than others. Here’s more information about dog bite cases in Columbia, SC.
Depending on the size of the dog and their potential lack of obedience, dog bite injuries can range from minor to extremely severe. The most apparent post-bite injuries are bite marks or scratches from a dog’s teeth scraping against your skin.
Severe dog bites can cause a multitude of other injuries. Large dogs can apply enough pressure to break or fracture bones, especially when clamping down on hands and feet. Depending on the dog, the pressure its mouth applies may also cause bruising.
Another danger to watch out for is a post-bite infection. Some dogs can transmit rabies to humans, which is a serious infection that should be treated as an emergency.
It’s impossible to predict. Personal injury dog bite settlements involve a variety of factors. Determining this sum involves investigating the severity of someone’s injuries and other critical factors about the injury-causing incident. Consulting with a dog bite attorney in Columbia, SC, can give you a clearer understanding of this subject.
Thankfully, this type of dog bite doesn’t cause severe injuries. These bites won’t break your skin. However, they can cause bruising or marks similar to scratches. You should still consult with a dog bite attorney in Columbia, SC if you think you suffered a Level 2 bite.
Typically, the dog’s owner pays through their homeowner’s insurance company. If the bite occurred at an apartment complex, the dog owner’s renter’s insurance policy could also provide insurance coverage for a dog bite case. That’s because it’s an animal owner’s right to keep them under control. An aspect of this control includes preventing bites. A dog bite attorney in Columbia, SC, can help you understand where the fault lies regarding your incident.
In South Carolina, the dog owner or caretaker is liable for any dog bite unless the victim provokes the dog or is trespassing at the dog’s location. Contact our Charleston dog bite lawyers for more assistance with this question.
Yes. Many people consult with a dog bite personal injury lawyer. Attorneys help clients form cases. However, there is an exception to this dog bite-related rule. If you provoke a dog and get bit, you likely wouldn’t have grounds for a valid dog bite case in Columbia, SC.
Prices vary among law firms. However, we are Columbia dog bite attorneys who work on contingency. In other words, we don’t receive compensation unless you do. Our law firm believes you shouldn’t have to spend money consulting with a dog bite attorney in Columbia, SC. DSB also offers free consultations.
Contact the Columbia dog bite attorneys at Dayson Shalabi Burkett Law Firm, LLC, if a dog bites or attacks you or a loved one.
Call our Columbia/Sumter office at 803-973-0304 or reach us in Charleston at 843-388-3368 for help today!