Although some 4.5 million Americans experience dog bite injuries each year, according to the World Health Organization, dogs are far from the only animals that can cause injuries in an attack.
Personal injury law typically focuses on the rights of people injured by dog bites, but how does the law address attacks by animals other than dogs? Understanding your options for legal recourse after a non-dog animal attack can help you get the financial resources you need for your animal-related injuries. Let the personal injury attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm guide you through the claims process to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Call us at 855-713-0400 or contact us now for a free consultation with a South Carolina animal attack lawyer. Find out why our past clients leave us positive reviews, such as Kristin H., who wrote, “This team is all heart. They will not let you down, they do not fail. They lead with compassion and stand for truth.”
Types of Animal Attacks and Their Legal Implications
Many types of animals other than dogs can attack and injure unsuspecting people. These include other types of pets kept by individuals, domestic animals on farms, animals managed by a zoo, sanctuary, or other wildlife facility, and wild animals. Other animals that may attack and injure people include:
- Cats
- Birds
- Horses
- Pigs
- Rats, mice, guinea pigs, and other rodents
- Reptiles, including snakes and turtles
- Goats
- Cattle and other livestock
- Zoo animals
- Exotic pets
- Wild animals, including foxes, wolves, bears, coyotes, bats, and boars
The circumstances of the attack can affect the legal options for animal attack victims to recover compensation. For example, when an animal attack involves someone’s pet, the injured victim may have a claim against the animal’s owner. An owner may bear liability for an attack due to their negligent handling of the animal. Owners may also bear liability when they keep exotic animals.
Animal attacks in a zoo or sanctuary may expose the facility owner to liability if the facility negligently maintains enclosures and animals escape through broken fences or wiring. Facility operators may also bear liability if they negligently handle animals or allow visitors to come close enough to wild animals that may suddenly attack.
When a wild animal attacks a person, the property owner might be liable if the presence of wild animals constituted a dangerous condition that the owner knew about but failed to warn visitors or take steps to prevent an attack.
Steps to Take Immediately After an Animal Attack in South Carolina
When an animal attacks and injures you, taking prompt action can help you seek financial compensation if you have legal claims against various responsible parties. Things you should do after an animal attack include:
- Seek medical treatment immediately to diagnose your injuries and begin treatment, including preventative treatments to avoid bacterial and viral infections.
- Report the attack to the animal owner or the owner of the property where the attack occurred. Ask the animal’s owner for any health or vaccination records.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and recovery instructions, and remember to request copies of your medical records.
- Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts for your medical expenses.
- Gather your income records to calculate lost wages if you need to take time off work or transfer to a lower-paying role.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer from Jebaily Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss the claims process and the next steps you can take to pursue financial recovery in an animal attack lawsuit.
Common Injuries Resulting from Non-Dog Animal Attacks
Attacks by animals other than dogs can inflict severe injuries, many of which can prove life-threatening. As a result, animal attacks can lead to physical and emotional trauma such as:
- Lacerations and permanent scarring
- Severe bruising
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Severed blood vessels
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Muscle and tendon strains and tears
- Herniated spinal disc injuries
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation, dismemberment, and limb loss
- Infections from viruses and bacteria carried by saliva and blood in an animal bite
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional and mental injuries
Depending on the circumstances and the severity of the injuries caused by the attack, an animal attack can have long-lasting consequences for the injured person. These may include permanent disabilities, disfigurement, scarring, and emotional trauma such as panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares, and new fears around animals.
Legal Recourses Available for Animal Attack Victims in South Carolina
Injured victims may have avenues to seek compensation when an animal attack happened in South Carolina. For example, they may file a personal injury claim against the animal’s owner or the owner of the property where the attack occurred if the owner’s negligence or recklessness led to the animal attack.
Compensation for animal attack injuries will often come from the animal owner’s insurance. That may be a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy after an attack by a privately owned animal or a commercial liability policy held by a zoo or animal sanctuary where an attack occurred.
However, proving that someone bears liability for the injuries you sustained in an animal attack can involve complex facts and legal issues. Our experienced animal attack attorneys can review the facts of your case to determine whether you have a viable claim to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses.
Proving Liability in Non-Dog Animal Attack Cases
Proving that a party bears liability for the injuries you sustained in a non-dog animal attack will require an in-depth investigation. Our personal injury lawyers can gather all available evidence that shows whether someone owned the animal that attacked you or owed you a legal duty to protect you from the attack.
Evidence that might support your animal attack case includes:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos or videos of the scene of the attack
- Staffing records
- Surveillance video footage
- Repair and maintenance records
- Medical records from your medical treatment and rehabilitation
Our experienced South Carolina animal attack attorneys can review the facts of your legal claim to determine whether a pet owner or property owner bears responsibility for your injuries and losses.
How Jebaily Law Firm Can Help You After an Animal Attack in SC
Pursuing financial recovery for injuries you sustained in an animal attack may involve more complex issues than a dog bite injury claim. An animal attack attorney from Jebaily Law Firm can help you pursue financial recovery for your injuries and losses by:
- Thoroughly investigating your case to recover evidence and determine liability
- Documenting your expenses and losses to ensure we pursue maximum compensation for you
- Identifying all responsible parties and avenues for recovering compensation
- Managing communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers
- Pursuing the maximum financial recovery you deserve through a settlement or by taking your case to trial.
Call 855-713-0400 or contact Jebaily Law Firm now for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced non-dog animal attack attorney. We look forward to discussing your options for pursuing personal injury claims after animal attacks.
