Victim of a Dog Bite? Attorney Says Owner is Liable for Damages in Most Dog Bite Cases

If you or a member of your family is the victim of a dog bite, attorney Lindsay Blanks says the owner of the dog can probably be held liable for damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer in South Carolina, Mr. Blanks says state law holds the dog owner or keeper liable for damages in almost all dog bite cases unless the victim deliberately acted in a way that provoked the dog.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs bite more than 4.7 million people every year in the United States. Of those, 800,000 require medical treatment, including about 386,000 cases that require a trip to a hospital emergency department. An estimated 16 deaths occur due to dog attacks each year. The CDC reports that children ages 5 to 9 years old experience the highest rate of dog attacks and that attack rates decrease with age. This is probably due to children knowing less about how to prevent dog attacks and dogs being less intimidated by children. Nonetheless, not knowing how to prevent an attack does not constitute provocation and most children are not to blame for a dog bite. Attorney Lindsay Blanks can help prove your child did not provoke an attack if they have suffered a dog bit.

As long as the victim of the dog’s attack was on public property or lawfully on private property, such as someone invited onto the property, a mail carrier delivering mail, or someone approaching the house to knock on the door (as long as posted warning signs weren’t ignored), then the dog’s owner is usually liable for damages related to the attack. However, if the person was trespassing on private property and the owner adhered to all dog control laws, then the dog’s owner or keeper is usually not liable for damages.

In a Case Involving a Dog Bite, an Attorney can Help Prove Owner’s Liability

In most dog bite cases, the dog’s owner and his lawyer in South Carolina will attempt to use the provocation defense. This defense suggests that the victim provoked the dog to attack through their actions.  While it may be obvious to you that you or your family member did not provoke the attack, defense lawyers in these cases are familiar with a variety of studies and court rulings that could erroneously sway a jury or judge to believe your actions did provoke the attack. It’s important to hire an experienced dog bite attorney, like Lindsay Blanks, who is familiar with contesting those arguments and knows how to debunk them.

Want to Discuss Your Dog Bite? Attorney Lindsay Blanks Offers Free Initial Consultation About Your Case

You can discuss dog bite cases with a lawyer in South Carolina for free—there’s no cost or obligation. Find out what your rights are and how Mr. Blanks may be able to help you recover damages for your dog bite injuries. Schedule a free consultation with dog bite attorney Lindsay Blanks on our Free Consults page.
Or Call Lindsay Blanks today at 843-863-1800.

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