Award Winning
A dog attack can be terrifying leaving not only physical scars, but also deep emotional trauma. Charleston is one of the most dog-friendly cities in South Carolina, but when pet owners fail to control their animals, serious injuries can happen in seconds.
At Ted Law Firm, our Charleston dog bite lawyers fight for victims of dog attacks across Charleston County and the Lowcountry. Whether the attack happened in a park, neighborhood, or workplace, we help you recover full compensation for your medical care, lost income, and emotional suffering.
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, don’t try to handle it alone. South Carolina law protects you, and we’ll make sure those protections work in your favor.
Local Parks, Local Representation
Charleston’s charm attracts people, and their pets everywhere:
- James Island County Park
- Hampton Park
- Folly Beach dog areas
- Downtown Charleston neighborhoods like King Street, Cannonborough, and West Ashley.
While most dogs are well-behaved, irresponsible owners who fail to leash, restrain, or supervise their pets put others in danger. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Charleston County reports hundreds of dog bite incidents each year, many involving children or postal workers.
If you were bitten or attacked, Ted Law Firm will hold the owner accountable under South Carolina’s strict liability dog bite law.
South Carolina’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
South Carolina law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their animals even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
S.C. Code §47-3-110
“If a person is bitten or otherwise attacked by a dog while lawfully in a public place or on private property, the dog’s owner or keeper is liable for damages.”
This means:
- No “one free bite” rule — owners are responsible from the first incident.
- Applies to both bites and “knock-down” injuries (like being jumped on or scratched).
- Applies in public places and on private property (if you were lawfully there).
Exceptions:
- If the victim was trespassing.
- If the dog was provoked or defending its owner.
At Ted Law Firm, we prove fault, track down all insurance coverage, and secure fair compensation for every victim.
South Carolina Dog Bite Laws: What You Need to Know
South Carolina follows a strict liability rule for dog bite cases. This means a dog’s owner can be held legally responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and even if the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous.
According to South Carolina Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner is liable when:
- Their dog bites or attacks someone
- The victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property
- The victim did not provoke the animal
In other words, if you were bitten or attacked without provoking the dog, you have a strong legal case regardless of the dog’s history.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
Dog attacks often result in serious, sometimes life-changing injuries. Common physical injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Lacerations and torn flesh
- Broken bones from being knocked down
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Infections such as rabies or sepsis
- Scarring requiring cosmetic surgery
Beyond the physical injuries, many victims especially children suffer long-term emotional trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, and a lasting fear of dogs. You may be entitled to compensation for both physical and psychological harm.
Children and Dog Bite Cases
Children are the most common victims of dog attacks especially under age 12. Because of their size, children often suffer facial bites and severe emotional distress.
South Carolina law allows parents to file claims on behalf of minors, including compensation for:
- Medical and reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological counseling and trauma recovery.
- Long-term scarring and pain.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
At Ted Law Firm, we handle these cases with care, compassion, and determination treating your family like our own.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite?
In South Carolina, the dog’s owner is usually the primary party held responsible. However, others may share liability, including:
- A landlord, if they knew the dog was dangerous and failed to take action
- A property owner, if the dog was allowed to roam freely
- A dog walker or caretaker, depending on the circumstances
Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and pursue the maximum compensation available.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
Victims of dog bites in Charleston may be eligible for financial compensation that covers a wide range of losses, including:
- Medical bills (ER visits, follow-up care, plastic surgery)
- Lost wages and income if the injury prevented you from working
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma or PTSD
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Future medical care
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases where the dog owner was especially reckless or knew the dog was dangerous and failed to act, punitive damages may also be awarded.
Who Pays After a Dog Bite?
In most Charleston dog bite cases, homeowners’ or renters’ insurance pays for damages.
We pursue every available source of compensation, including:
- Dog owner’s homeowners insurance.
- Landlord or property owner policies (if negligence allowed the dog on-site).
- Commercial property coverage (if bitten at a business or apartment complex).
- Umbrella insurance policies for additional recovery.
We identify all responsible parties, and make sure the insurance company doesn’t minimize your claim.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Charleston
To protect your health and legal rights, follow these steps after a dog bite:
- Get medical attention immediately, even for minor bites there’s a risk of infection.
- Report the incident to Charleston Animal Control or law enforcement.
- Document everything:
- Take photos of your injuries
- Identify the dog and its owner
- Collect witness statements
- Take photos of your injuries
- Do not speak to the dog owner’s insurance company without legal representation.
- Call a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
Prompt legal action helps preserve evidence and ensures your claim is filed within South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations.
Dog Bites at Work
If you were bitten while performing your job (for example, as a delivery driver, postal worker, or home service provider), you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in addition to a personal injury claim.
Our team handles both claims simultaneously, ensuring you receive:
- Medical treatment through workers’ comp.
- Additional compensation from the negligent dog owner’s insurer.
Even if your employer says you’re an independent contractor, call us and you may still qualify for coverage under South Carolina law.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Charleston
To protect your health and legal rights, follow these steps after a dog bite:
- Get medical attention immediately, even for minor bites there’s a risk of infection.
- Report the incident to Charleston Animal Control or law enforcement.
- Document everything:
- Take photos of your injuries
- Identify the dog and its owner
- Collect witness statements
- Do not speak to the dog owner’s insurance company without legal representation.
- Call a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
Prompt legal action helps preserve evidence and ensures your claim is filed within South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency care, hospital bills, and rehabilitation.
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological counseling or trauma therapy.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Scarring, disfigurement, or disability.
- Wrongful death benefits (for fatal attacks).
We pursue the full value of your case, not just what insurers want to offer.
Understanding Fault and Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
South Carolina follows the modified comparative negligence rule (the 51% rule):
Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault.
You can still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% responsible for the incident.
Why Choose Ted Law Firm?
Dog bite cases require skill, sensitivity, and aggressive representation. When you hire Ted Law Firm, you get:
- A legal team with extensive experience in dog bite and personal injury law
- Compassionate support tailored to your unique case
- Detailed investigation and evidence gathering
- Aggressive negotiation with insurers to seek full compensation
- No fee unless we win you pay nothing out of pocket
We’re committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable and helping you rebuild after an attack.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is liable for a dog bite in South Carolina?
Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, the dog owner is strictly liable for all damages caused by their dog, unless you provoked the attack or were trespassing.
2. What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
It doesn’t matter — South Carolina has no “one free bite” rule. Owners are responsible from the first attack.
3. What if I was bitten at work?
You may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits as well as a personal injury claim.
4. How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
You have three years from the date of the incident under S.C. Code § 15-3-530.
5. What if the dog’s owner refuses to cooperate or doesn’t have insurance?
We’ll identify other liable parties (property owners, landlords) and pursue every available policy.
6. What damages can I recover?
Medical expenses, lost income, plastic surgery, emotional trauma, and more.
7. How much does it cost to hire Ted Law Firm?
You pay nothing upfront we only get paid if we win your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Charleston Dog Bite Attorney
At Ted Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation, or stop by one of our conveniently located South Carolina offices in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Aiken, or Mrtyle Beach so we can discuss your case face-to-face. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case, so there is no harm in scheduling a free consultation. You’re in good hands with Ted Law Firm.
