Practice Areas

Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs can make great pets. But dogs can also bite people and cause serious injuries and, in some cases, even death. It has been estimated that nearly 4.7 million people in this country are bitten by dogs each year.

Of those, nearly 350,000 require treatment in an emergency room. Thousands of others require in-patient care, with the average hospital stay being estimated at 3.6 days. In addition to these injuries, dog bite attacks also cause death. In 1997 and 1998, for example, 27 people died as a result of dog bite attacks in the United States. Dog owners may be liable for injuries caused by their dogs. There is no "one free bite rule" in South Carolina.

South Carolina law holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bites in most instances. If you or a loved one are seriously injured by a dog, you need to do the following:

• Seek medical attention
• Notify the local police of law enforcement
• Notify the local animal control authority
• Notify DHEC
• Contact the dog owner for information on the dog’s vaccinations
• Take photos of the injuries immediately and a few days later
• Take photos of the dog and the scene, if possible (but, do not trespass).

If you, or someone you care about, have been the unfortunate victim of a dog bite attack, call Standeffer & Harbin, LLP today at 1-800-INJURED for a free no obligation consultation. Let Standeffer & Harbin, LLP be your team of tough, smart attorneys who will fight for your rights.