Charleston County Jury Awards Delivery Driver Attacked by Dog

In an unusual case that included both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury case, Steinberg Law Firm attorneys win at trial.

In the U.S., nearly 85 million homes include a pet, and 63.4 million of those have a dog. The United States houses the second-largest dog population in the world. This comes as no surprise as American culture treats dogs as part of the family. Many stores, restaurants, bars, and activities are becoming far more dog friendly, especially since dog ownership has increased during COVID-19 due to so many people working from home.

While dogs are a large part of many people’s lives, they come with the need for responsible pet ownership and training. Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S, and in 2018, nearly 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites.

Unfortunately, a client of Steinberg Law Firm was one of those dog bite victims who underwent reconstructive surgery on his face due to a dog bite that occurred while he was working. What felt like a typical day at work turned into a nightmare as the client, who is a delivery driver, delivered a package to a residential home. The homeowner was out in his yard gardening, with his dog on the front porch. The delivery driver entered the yard and greeted the homeowner, handing the package over to him. Then, the 65-pound dog jumped up and bit him on his face, along his jawline. The delivery driver required 18 stitches and underwent two reconstructive surgeries, including one involving general anesthesia. He incurred medical bills totaling approximately $20,000.00 and lost about $5,000 in wages from being unable to work. The dog left a permanent scar on his face.

Attorney Catherine D. Meehan of the Steinberg Law Firm took on his case in September of 2016. David T. Pearlman handled the workers’ compensation case first, getting the driver’s medical bills covered and compensation paid while he was out of work. Meehan then pursued the homeowners and their insurance company via a personal injury case. The case ultimately went to trial in Charleston County in 2021 with Steinberg attorney Meehan as the primary trial lawyer and Michael Jordan as co-counsel.

The jury ruled in favor of the Steinberg Law Firm client’s case and awarded him $175,000 to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and compensation for permanent disfigurement. This verdict is a massive victory for the client, Attorneys Meehan and Jordan, and the Steinberg Law Firm. The jury awarded 3 ½ times more than what the insurance company offered before trial.

The Steinberg Law Firm was founded in 1927, and since then, has tirelessly advocated on behalf of injured workers. The founder of Steinberg Law Firm, Irving Steinberg, was instrumental in getting the first workers’ compensation laws passed in South Carolina. The Steinberg Law Firm carries on this legacy today, representing clients across all industries who suffer injuries on the job. Steinberg Law attorneys have more than 170 years of combined experience helping injured workers recover the compensation they need and deserve following a serious workplace accident. For more information, visit their website at https://www.steinberglawfirm.com or call (843) 720-2800.