If you are bitten by a dog, South Carolina law entitles you to compensation from the dog’s owner or handler to pay for your injury-related bills. If you have been bitten by a dog and are considering filing a lawsuit, you will want to document your injuries by photographing them as well as any torn or bloody clothing. You should also report the bite to the appropriate authorities and try to get names and contact information for any witnesses.
State laws and county or city ordinances can all help establish liability for dog bites. Therefore, it is important to get the advice of a local Greenville dog bite attorney who is familiar with the laws surrounding dog bite cases to see if the circumstances in your particular incident will support a successful lawsuit.
Moreover, if you do wish to pursue a lawsuit, the dog’s owner is likely to have homeowners’ insurance or other liability insurance, which will pay for the dog owner’s defense. Insurance companies are known to try and minimize any settlement or judgment you win, whichis another reason why it is important to make sure that you are equally well-represented.
At David R. Price, Jr., P.A., our team of Greenville dog bite lawyers fights to make sure injured victims get full financial recovery. We know local ordinances and state codes, and we know how insurance adjusters operate.
South Carolina Dog Bite Laws
Pursuant to S.C. Code § 47-3-110, dog owners in South Carolina are held strictly liable when their dog bites or otherwise attacks someone. Strict liability means you do not have to prove the owner did anything wrong to cause the attack. Whether or not the owner had knowledge that the dog might attack does not matter. Even if the dog had never even growled at anyone before, the owner is still legally responsible for injuries caused by a dog bite or other attack.
The law protects you if the bite happened in a public place, like a park or sidewalk, or while you were lawfully on private property. If you were invited onto someone’s land, or were legally there to perform a job, then you are protected under the law. Therefore, mail carriers, delivery drivers, and meter readers are all covered under the law.
There are two main defenses under the statute. First, the owner is not liable if a victim provoked or harassed the dog, and that provocation caused the attack. Second, the rule does not apply to police dogs working under a set of legal conditions. Trespassers usually cannot recover either, though children hurt on a property may be an exception.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites involve sharp teeth and strong jaw pressure. They cause severe physical injuries that can require long-term treatment.
- Puncture wounds and deep lacerations: Teeth can pierce muscle, tissue, and internal organs, leading to deep infections and tissue loss.
- Nerve damage: Attacks on hands, arms, or legs often sever or crush nerves, causing permanent numbness, weakness, or loss of mobility.
- Facial trauma and disfigurement: Children are especially vulnerable to facial bites, which an often require reconstructive plastic surgery.
- Infections: Tetanus, MRSA, and sepsis are serious risks after an animal attack. Victims should also be treated for rabies if the dog has not been properly vaccinated.
- Psychological trauma: Victims frequently suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety around animals, night terrors, and sleep loss.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite Incident?
The person who owns the dog is always liable, and therefore owners are the most common defendants. However, the law also reaches anyone who had the dog “in their care or keeping” at the time. That can include a dog sitter, a dog walker, or a friend watching the pet for the weekend.
Landlords may share responsibility in some cases, especially if they knew a dangerous dog was on the property and did nothing about it. A business could be liable if a dog on its property attacks a customer.
South Carolina also has a “dangerous animal” law. A dog can earn that label after an unprovoked attack that causes injury. Owners of dogs classed as a dangerous animals face extra duties and stiffer consequences for injuries caused by dangerous animals.
Sorting out who is responsible often requires a close look at the facts. Our Greenville dog bite attorneys can trace every party who may owe you money.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Greenville
If you have been bitten by a dog, then your first priority should be getting medical care, even if the wound looks small. Dog mouths carry bacteria, and puncture wounds can hide serious damage. A doctor’s record also ties your injuries to the attack.
After that, these steps protect your claim:
- Report the bite to Greenville County Animal Care or the police so there is an official record.
- Get the owner’s name, address, and insurance details.
- Photograph your injuries, the scene, and the dog if you can do so safely.
- Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Keep your torn or bloody clothing in a bag, and do not wash it.
- Save every bill, receipt, and note from your treatment.
Try not to give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before you speak with a lawyer. Your early statements can be twisted to shrink your payout.
Damages You Can Recover After a Dog Bite
South Carolina law entitles you to recover money for the losses the bite caused. These money damages fall into two categories.
Economic damages cover costs incurred because of your injuries with a clear dollar amount. This category of damages includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, follow-up visits, physical therapy, medication, and future medical needs. It also covers lost wages and lost earning ability if the injury keeps you from working.
Non-economic damages cover losses that are harder to price because you do not receive bills. This category includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish from the attack or disfigurement from scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. Scarring on the face or hands often carries real weight in these claims.
In rare cases involving extreme or reckless conduct, a court may add punitive damages to punish the owner. The value of any claim depends on the facts, the severity of the injury, and the available insurance. Our Greenville dog bite attorneys can review your case and give you a realistic picture of what it may be worth.
Contact Our Greenville Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog bite can leave you with painful bills and hard questions. The Greenville dog bite lawyers at David R. Price, Jr., P.A. can review your case, find the liable parties, and get you compensation.
If you or a loved one believes you may have a dog bite case and wants to speak with an experienced attorney, contact us at 864-271-2636 to request a free case consultation. We proudly serve every part of the city of Greenville, as well as the rest of the Upstate of South Carolina. That includes these zip codes: 29601, 29602, 29605, 29606, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29612, 29614, 29615, and 29616, as well as Spartanburg, Laurens, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee Counties..
FAQs
+ Can I recover compensation if a dog knocked me down without biting me?
Yes. South Carolina’s strict liability statute applies when a dog “bites or otherwise attacks” a person. If a large dog jumps on you, knocks you down, and breaks a bone, causes a concussion, or otherwise injures you, the owner can be held strictly liable for your injuries.
+ How much is my Greenville dog bite case worth?
It depends on your injuries, your bills, time missed from work, and how the attack affects your daily life. For example, a serious facial scar is worth more than a wound that heals fully. The best way to learn your case value is to have a Greenville dog bite attorney review your records.
+ How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in South Carolina?
Most claims must be filed within three years of the injury. Claims against a government body may have a shorter deadline, so act quickly.
+ What if the insurance company says I provoked the dog?
Provoking the dog can prevent you from bringing a claim under the statute, but not all conduct constitutes “provoking” as contemplated by the statute. A lawyer can explain how this applies to your facts.
