Did you know that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care? That means roughly 1 out of every 73 people are bit by a dog.

While some dog bites may not be severe, others can be. When a dog bite is severe, it is important to hire a team that is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Hopkins Law Firm where you can find Principled, Practical,  and Personal Lawyers who will treat you like they would treat their own family.

Many people suffer through months of pain caused by a dog bit, some bites even resulting in the loss of life.

If you have lost a loved one in this way, you must be wondering the average payout for a dog bite. If so, read our in-depth article to find out more information.

Estimated Number and Average Cost of Dog Bite Claims, 2016-2021.

Dog Bite Statistics Infographic | Hopkins Law Firm

South Carolina Dog Bite Law

South Carolina law applies strict liability to dog bites.  Which means that dog owners are liable when their dogs bite others regardless of whether they  believe their dog was vicious. Where many states have caps on punitive damages and compensatory damages on dog bites, South Carolina does not. That means that you could get more than the average settlement for a dog bite claim in a personal injury lawsuit or claim.

Under Section 47-3-110 of the South Carolina Code, the owner or person taking care of a dog may be held liable for the injuries of someone attacked by the dog if the injuries are caused when the dog bites “or otherwise attacks” a person and the injured person was in a public place or had permission to be in the place where the attack happened, such as the owner's backyard.

How A Hopkins Law Firm Attorney Can Help?

Dog bite cases include many different factors that can affect the compensation you receive in your settlement. The insurance company's appraisal of your injuries could include inaccurate assumptions about the extent of the damage. Which can result in a lower settlement for you and your family. But, by hiring an experienced dog bite lawyer, you can have a trained eye review your settlement.

A dog bite attorney can also evaluate the pain and suffering damages section of your settlement. This number can come under debate due to the difficulty of measuring emotional trauma.  So having proficient representation can be very beneficial when pursuing your full compensation.

Dog owners are required to have homeowners or renters insurance that covers their pets, but some fail to do so. In situations like these, your case could be handled through court, rather than an insurance company. This introduces a problem if the pet owner has no assets, but an attorney can assist you in choosing the best route.

Why You Should Hire Hopkins Law Firm For Your Dog Bite Case?

If you have more questions about this subject, we would be happy to help. We leverage our years in the legal world to bring you trustworthy advice. If you are considering a injury case, contact us to see how much an average settlement could give you. Our team of experienced Charleston dog bite lawyers is standing ready to assist you. Call us today at (843) 314-4202.