Anderson Dog Bite Lawyer

An Anderson dog bite lawyer from our team is waiting to help you and your family members prepare your case against a dog’s owner if any of you are the victim of an attack. If you were legally on the defendant’s property, the animal was loose, or you were asked to take care of the dog, and it attacked you, they may owe you compensation.

We at Hammack Law Firm understand the sensitivity of dog bites and animal attacks, and we are here to lighten the burden of confronting the negligent party alone. If you are looking for a law firm that empathizes and stands by you every step of the process, we are here. We can review your legal options during a free consultation.

How Much does an Attorney Cost to Handle a Dog Bite Case in Anderson?

Our primary role with our clients is to build trusting relationships, which is why if you do not win your case, we will not charge you any fees. This contingency-fee arrangement secures that trust by ensuring you get the help you need without added stress.

How Hammack Law Firm Will Handle Your Dog Bite Case

We helped one of our clients secure more than $250,000 in personal injury and dog bite damages, and that is exactly what we want for you—reimbursement for your injuries. We cannot guarantee case results, as each case is different. However, we will seek fair compensation for your case.

When you team up with Hammack Law Firm, we will assist you by:

• Collecting evidence that supports your claim, such as photos or video footage, witness testimony, and previous records against the dog and its owner
• Being a liaison for attorneys and insurance companies on your behalf should they reach out for statements
• Advising you on negotiations for insurance settlements
• Representing you in court if negotiations are unsatisfactory and present limitations on covered damages
• Processing most standard administrative tasks and communications on your behalf, including phone calls and paperwork
• Calculating your losses and identifying liable parties
• Filing your claim

Determining a Fair Settlement for Your Anderson Dog Bite Claim

A lot goes into making sure you receive fair treatment. The sensitivity behind personal injury claims, especially animal attacks, takes a lot of investigating and evidence collection. These processes occur while dealing with and negotiating terms with the defendant’s legal team and insurance companies.

We must look into how you are now and, most importantly, how this incident might affect your future. We calculate these economic and non-economic damages by reviewing past and future:

• Emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Permanent disfigurement
• Lost wages
• Disability
• Mental and physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills

We base this calculation on all the work and negotiating we do on your behalf. We understand you are not a legal professional, so it is common for victims to overlook these important factors—we make sure that doesn’t happen.

Other Important Factors You Must Consider When Building Your Claim:

• Statute of limitations: A person has three years from the incident to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog or animal that attacked them, per S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530.
• Liability: South Carolina law, S.C. Ann. § 47-3-10, states that the dog’s owner is liable for all damages caused if their dog attacks a person. Furthermore, according to the Anderson County Animal Ordinances § 42-119, all county pet owners must keep their dogs under reasonable restraint at all times.
• Strict liability: Previously, the “one bite law” stated that unless the plaintiff could prove the owner knew their dog had vicious tendencies, they had a “one chance” or “first bite” defense. However, this has been amended, and the defendant or dog owner is now held under “strict liability” for their animal, meaning they could face penalties on the first attack.
• Police dogs: A legal professional can best explain this extremely complex situation. An attorney from our firm can help you if a police dog attacked you.

You also need to consider the defendant’s stance. They may say you antagonized the dog or did something that made the dog attack. Through comparative negligence (S.C. Code § 15-38-15), the defense could use your actions as an excuse to lower your settlement’s value. Having a Hammack Law Firm attorney who works with dog bite cases in Anderson on your side could minimize this risk. We’ll make sure all the evidence is in order to counteract such tactics.

Don’t Get Bitten Twice—We Will Seek to Make Them Pay the Price

When you hire Hammack Law Firm, we focus on building a trusting relationship with the mission of helping make Anderson a safer place for all residents. Our service also frees you to focus on getting the medical assistance and rest you need to recover properly.

We pride ourselves on knowing we seek the financial compensation our clients deserve. We compassionately work side by side with you with an open ear, meticulously collecting, updating, and advising you through the whole process—all the way to the courtroom if we must. We are here to hold negligent parties accountable for their carelessness.

Our clients are family, and their testimonials validate that we love the work we do. One of our past clients shares:

“I was more than pleased with Hammack Law Firm. Mari was always there when I called or sent a text. And very patient, I never felt rushed when speaking with her. I felt she really wanted to hear me out. . . Super nice staff, great service, very quick settlement. . .” – Deku.

Anderson Dog Bite FAQ

We understand how overwhelming the dog bite claims process can be in Anderson. To help prepare you for what’s to come, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding dog bite claims below.

If you have additional questions not answered on this page, we can discuss your specific concerns in greater detail during your free initial consultation.

Will I Need to Go to Court?

You may need to bring your case to court if you hope to recover fair compensation for your suffering. Although many dog bite cases can be settled out of court through an insurance company, there are some situations in which we find it necessary to bring a dog bite claim before a civil judge.

For example, if the insurance company does not adequately compensate you for your damages, or if the dog’s owner does not have insurance protection, pursuing civil action may be one of the few ways to pursue financial recovery.

What Should I Expect from the Insurance Company?

Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage covers many dog owners. Whether their insurance will cover the costs of your dog bite will be entirely dependent on the policyholder‘s policy.

If the dog’s owner has an insurance policy, you should not expect to go through the claims process smoothly. Insurance companies are notoriously challenging when it comes to paying claims. This is because they lose money every time they settle. However, with a strong legal advocate on your side, you can avoid being taken advantage of during one of the most challenging times in your life.

When Can Dog Owners Escape Culpability?

Dog owners may avoid liability for injuries their dog causes in limited circumstances. For example, if the injury victim was provoking the dog into acting aggressively, the owner may escape culpability. Some examples of behaviors that may be considered provocation include:

• Hitting
• Kicking
• Scratching
• Punching
• Screaming
• Throwing objects

Dog owners may also argue that the victim was trespassing on their property at the time of the attack. If this is the case, it may be more challenging for the injury victim to secure compensation from the dog owner.

Can I Sue for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Yes. Emotional injuries, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other emotional damages, are some of the most common and impactful injuries people sustain following dog bites and attacks.

When the trauma you have been through considerably affects your life, you have the right to hold the liable party accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Get help recovering fair compensation in your case when you contact a dog bite attorney in Anderson for help.

Call Hammack Law Firm Today for Help with Your
Anderson Dog Bite Case

You are more than just a client and more than just a case—you are our priority. Our Anderson legal team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide you with updates on your dog bite case, so you can concentrate on what matters: your health.

We are here to help you. Don’t let time run out for getting the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a free consultation and a no-win, no-fee promise.