A Dog Attack Can Leave Injuries That Go Far Beyond the Bite.
Dog bites can cause deep wounds, infections, nerve damage, scarring, and lasting emotional effects. For children in particular, an attack can become an experience that affects them long after the physical injuries begin to heal.
Sharpe & Leventis, LLC represents people injured in dog bites and attacks throughout Columbia and surrounding South Carolina communities.
We investigate what happened, identify the person or insurance coverage that may be responsible, document the impact of the injuries, and help clients understand what comes next.
What Does South Carolina Law Say About Dog Bites?
Under South Carolina Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner or person who has the dog in their care may be liable when the dog bites or otherwise attacks someone who is:
- In a public place; or
- Lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property.
The law does not require the victim to prove that the dog had previously bitten someone or that the owner already knew the dog was dangerous. That is different from the traditional “one-bite rule” used in some jurisdictions.
The Law Covers More Than Bites
South Carolina’s statute applies when a person is
bitten
or otherwise attacked. For example, a person who is chased, knocked down, and injured by a dog may still have a claim depending on the circumstances.
What If the Dog Owner Says You Provoked the Dog?
The statutory liability provisions do not apply when the injured person provoked or harassed the dog, and that conduct was the proximate cause of the attack. The law also contains specific provisions involving trained law-enforcement dogs acting in their official capacity.
That does not mean an owner can simply say, “You provoked my dog,” and end the discussion.
What happened before the attack matters. Witness statements, video, photographs, the location of the incident, and other evidence may help establish the circumstances.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite or Attack?
The moments after an attack can be frightening and confusing. When possible, take steps to protect both your health and the evidence surrounding what happened.
01
Get Medical Care
Dog bites can cause infection as well as damage to muscles, nerves, tendons, and other tissue. Seek appropriate medical attention and follow the treatment recommendations you receive.
02
Identify the Dog and Its Owner
If possible, obtain the owner’s name, contact information, and information about where the dog is kept.
03
Report the Incident
Depending on where the attack occurred, animal-control or other local authorities may investigate the incident. A report may also help document when and where the attack occurred.
04
Take Photos
Photograph your injuries as soon as you reasonably can and continue documenting significant changes during recovery. If relevant, also photograph:
- The location of the attack
- Broken fences or gates
- Restraints or lack of restraints
- Torn or bloodied clothing
- Other physical evidence
05
Get Witness Information
If anyone saw the attack or what happened immediately beforehand, save their contact information.
06
Keep Your Records
Save medical bills, treatment records, medication expenses, missed-work documentation, and other records connected to the injury.
07
Be Careful About Early Insurance Discussions
An insurance company may contact you before the full extent of the injuries is known. You do not have to rush into a settlement simply because an offer has been made.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Bite?
In many cases, attention starts with the
dog owner. South Carolina law can also impose liability on another person who had the dog in their
care
or keeping when the attack occurred. Depending on the circumstances, a case may involve questions about:
The Dog Owner
The person who owns the dog may be responsible for injuries caused by the attack.
A Person Caring for the Dog
Liability may also involve someone who had control or care of the dog at the relevant time.
Property or Other Parties
Some incidents involve additional facts concerning landlords, property owners, businesses, or other parties.
Where Does Compensation Usually Come From?
Many people hesitate to pursue a dog-bite claim because the animal belongs to a friend, neighbor, or family member. A claim does not necessarily mean trying to collect money directly from someone you know.
Depending on the circumstances and policy terms, dog-bite claims may involve homeowners, renters, or other liability insurance. Part of our job is determining what coverage may be available and dealing with the insurer involved.
That can be especially important when the injuries require substantial medical treatment or result in permanent scarring.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Dog Attack?
Every case is different, and there is no standard value for a dog-bite claim. Depending on the injuries and circumstances, compensation may address:
Medical Expenses
Including emergency treatment, follow-up appointments, medications, wound care, and other necessary treatment.
Future Medical Care
Severe wounds may require additional treatment, rehabilitation, or reconstructive procedures.
Lost Income
If the injury prevents you from working, lost wages may become part of the claim.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Dog bites frequently affect highly visible areas such as the face, arms, and hands. Permanent scars can become a significant component of a serious injury case.
Pain and Suffering
A claim may account for the physical pain and other non-economic effects caused by the attack.
Emotional Effects
Fear, anxiety, sleep problems, or other psychological effects can sometimes follow a traumatic dog attack, particularly when a child is injured.
Dog Bites Involving Children
Children can be particularly vulnerable during dog attacks because of their height, size, and limited ability to protect themselves.
Their injuries may involve the face, head, neck, hands, or arms, creating concerns about permanent scarring and future medical needs.
A child may also develop fear or anxiety after an attack.
When evaluating a claim involving a child, it is important to consider not just today's medical bills, but how the injury may affect the child as they continue to grow.
How Sharpe & Leventis Handles a Dog Bite Claim
Investigate What Happened
We gather available evidence about the attack, the dog, the people involved, and the location where it occurred.
Identify Liability and Insurance
We determine who may be legally responsible and investigate applicable insurance coverage.
Document the Injuries
We examine medical records, expenses, lost income, photographs, scarring, and other evidence showing how the attack affected you.
Handle the Insurance Company
We manage communications concerning the injury claim so you do not have to navigate the process alone.
Evaluate Any Settlement Offer
An offer should be considered in light of the injuries, future needs, available coverage, and the overall evidence—not simply because the insurer wants the matter resolved.
Prepare the Case for Litigation When Necessary
If the insurer disputes responsibility or reasonable compensation cannot be reached, we can determine whether litigation is appropriate based on the circumstances.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in South Carolina?
South Carolina generally provides a three-year limitations period for actions involving injury to a person and for certain liabilities created by statute. But waiting is rarely helpful.
Evidence can disappear, witnesses can become harder to locate, and important details surrounding the dog and the attack may become more difficult to establish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a case?
Not necessarily. South Carolina’s dog-attack statute does not require the victim to establish that the dog had previously bitten someone. Liability can apply when the statutory requirements are met, subject to defenses and exceptions such as provocation.
Can I have a claim if the dog did not actually bite me?
Possibly. South Carolina law refers to people who are “bitten or otherwise attacked.” A person who is knocked down or otherwise injured during a dog attack may have a claim even without a traditional bite wound.
What if the dog belongs to a friend or neighbor?
You may still have options. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may be handled through homeowners, renters, or other liability insurance rather than requiring you to personally seek payment from someone you know.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation can affect liability, but it depends on what actually happened. South Carolina law provides an exception when the injured person provoked or harassed the dog and that conduct caused the attack. Evidence surrounding the incident becomes especially important when provocation is disputed.
Should I accept an insurance company's offer after a dog bite?
Before accepting an offer, it is important to understand the full extent of the injuries and what rights you may be giving up. This can be particularly important when scarring, future treatment, or a child's injuries are involved.
Contact Our Columbia Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today.
If you or your child was injured by a dog, tell
Sharpe & Leventis, LLC what happened. We can review the circumstances, answer your questions, and help you understand what options may be available.