$1.5M settlement for worker injured in dog attack

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A worker who was bitten on the job by a large dog has agreed to settle her negligence claim for $1.5 million, her attorneys report.  

Hank Burriss and Wayne Ridgeway of Burris & Ridgeway in Columbia report that in May 2018, their client, who was working for a general contractor, was sent to work at a residential property managed by a property management firm. The woman was on the home’s porch when one of two large dogs that were running free “viciously attacked” the woman, scarring and causing nerve damage to her right leg.  

The injuries required immediate medical attention, and treatment lasted for approximately nine months to treat nerve pain and remediate the scarring. The plaintiff’s attorneys said that the woman consulted a plastic surgeon and neurologist and was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome. Burriss said that his client complied with her medical providers and wanted to get well, but that she suffered from discomfort that could not permanently be addressed.  

“This lady did everything that she could do, both to avoid this injury and mitigate her damages,” Burriss said. “However, relief was not something that came easy.” 

Burriss added that the case was resolved after the complaint was filed and that it was more about damages than liability.  

“I think the defendant accepted that there was simply no way around the fact that they were liable for the acute injuries that our client suffered,” Burriss said.  

Pursuant to a confidentiality agreement, many of the case’s details, including the names of the parties and defense counsel, were withheld.  

SETTLEMENT REPORT — NEGLIGENCE 

Amount: $1.5 million 

Case name: Withheld 

Venue: Saluda County 

Mediator/Judge: Withheld 

Date of settlement: 2022 

Special damages: $10,545.91 in past medicals and $536,520 in future medicals 

Most helpful experts: Dr. Donen Davis (plastic surgeon), Dr. Marshall White (neurologist), and Cheryl Mathis, CNLCP 

Attorneys for plaintiff: Hank Burriss and Wayne Ridgeway of Burriss & Ridgeway in Columbia 

Attorney(s) for defendant: Withheld