South Carolina Dog Bite Lawyers

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, taking the right steps immediately is essential for your health and your potential claim. Here’s what you should do:

• Seek medical attention right away: even minor bites can become infected.
• Report the incident to local animal control or law enforcement to create an official record.
• Gather information about the dog, its owner, and any witnesses.
• Take photos of your injuries, the location, and (if possible) the dog involved.
• Avoid speaking with the dog owner’s insurance company before contacting a dog bite attorney in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, liability for dog bites is clear and often falls under strict liability laws. This means the dog’s owner is typically responsible for injuries their pet causes, even if the dog had no prior history of aggression.

Other potentially liable parties include:

• Landlords who knowingly allow dangerous dogs on the premises
• Property owners who harbor dogs that pose a threat
• Caregivers or handlers who were in charge of the dog at the time

A skilled dog injury lawyer can investigate the facts to identify every party responsible for your injuries.

Dog bite injuries can cause lasting damage — physically, emotionally, and financially. A claim may include compensation for:

• Emergency medical care and hospital bills
• Surgery, rehabilitation, and scar treatment
• Psychological trauma or PTSD
• Lost income during recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• In rare cases, wrongful death

An experienced dog bite attorney in SC can evaluate the full scope of your damages to pursue the maximum settlement.

South Carolina law generally gives you three years from the date of the injury to file a dog bite claim. However, acting fast is critical, the longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to gather solid evidence.

Don’t let legal deadlines block your recovery. Speak with a qualified dog bite attorney in South Carolina as soon as possible.

You should hire an attorney as soon as possible after a dog bite, especially if:

• The injury required medical attention
• You missed work due to the bite
• The dog owner is denying responsibility
• There’s no insurance or unclear coverage
• A child or elderly person was attacked

The sooner you involve a dog bite attorney SC, the better your chances of a smooth and successful claim process.

South Carolina’s strict liability law applies regardless of the dog’s history. Even a first-time bite can result in full legal responsibility for the owner.

Yes, as long as you were lawfully present (e.g., a guest, delivery person, or worker), you can still file a claim.

Not necessarily. A civil lawsuit does not automatically result in the dog being put down. That decision is made by animal control based on the dog’s history and the severity of the attack.

You can still file a claim. The law covers all dog-related injuries, not just bites, including being knocked over, scratched, or frightened into falling.

You may still recover damages unless you were the sole cause of the attack. South Carolina follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault.