Many people love dogs. Unfortunately, these friendly canines send thousands of Americans to the emergency room every year. While most dog attack injuries are insignificant, a few can be devastating.
If you are attacked by someone else’s dog, you may be eligible for financial restitution through a premises liability lawsuit. Here are important steps you need to take following a dog attack.
Identify the pet owner
It is important that you identify the dog owner or the individual who had custody of the animal at the time of the attack. This is important when pursuing a premises liability lawsuit against the responsible party. Be sure to obtain their name, contacts and, if possible, request proof of the dog’s vaccination against rabies.
Seek treatment as soon as possible
A dog bite wound can be very serious. From a seemingly small laceration, you could contract an infection and develop permanent scarring. Besides, a dog bite can lead to infections like rabies, Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga. Additionally, a dog bite wound could become a point of entry for other disease-causing pathogens. Seeking immediate treatment will ensure that your wound is treated as soon as possible.
Seeking immediate treatment will also ensure that you obtain a medical report that will play a crucial role in litigating your case.
File your claim
Under South Carolina laws, dog owners are generally liable for damages caused by their animals if the attack was preventable. If the pet owner’s negligence leads to an attack, you need to file a premises liability lawsuit. The statute of limitations for this lawsuit is three years. It is important that you observe this timeline.
A dog bite can leave you with serious injuries. Knowing your legal options can help you protect your rights while pursuing the liable party for a premises liability lawsuit.