Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
South Carolina is a strict-liability state for dog bites — meaning the owner is responsible even if their dog has never bitten anyone before. We help victims recover for medical bills, scarring, and emotional trauma.
The cases we handle every week
Off-Leash Attacks
Most SC counties require leashes in public. Off-leash bites are clear-cut liability.
Home & Yard Visits
Bites at a friend's house, a delivery, or while visiting a property — all can be claimed.
Children Bitten
Children's faces are at the height of a large dog's mouth. We pursue full compensation for scarring.
Mail & Delivery Workers
Delivery drivers are bitten at high rates. SC law protects them too.
Running & Cycling Attacks
Joggers and cyclists are common victims. Speed and surprise turn bites into serious injuries.
Repeat-Offender Dogs
If the dog has bitten before, the case is even stronger — we subpoena animal control records.
South Carolina's strict-liability statute
Under S.C. Code §47-3-110, a dog owner is liable when their dog bites or attacks someone — period. You don't have to prove the owner was negligent. You don't have to prove the dog had a history of aggression. (The old "one bite rule" doesn't apply in South Carolina.)
There are limited exceptions: if you were trespassing or provoking the dog, the owner can defend. But in nearly every other situation — at a park, a neighbor's house, on a sidewalk — the owner is on the hook for your damages.
What to do after a bite
Get medical attention immediately, even for bites that look minor. Dog mouths carry bacteria that cause severe infections, and rabies protocol is time-sensitive. Photograph the wound at every stage of healing — from the ER through full scarring. These photos become powerful evidence at settlement time.
Report the incident to animal control. A formal report creates a record that the dog has bitten, which protects future victims and strengthens your case.
Get the owner's name, address, and homeowner's insurance information. Most dog bite settlements are paid by homeowner's or renter's policies — not the owner's personal money.
Why scarring cases need an attorney
Insurance companies offer pennies on the dollar for visible scarring — especially when the victim is a child. They'll calculate medical bills and offer a small "pain and suffering" multiplier, but ignore the lifetime impact of facial disfigurement.
We bring in plastic surgeons to estimate revision-surgery costs decades into the future. We document psychological impact. And we present the case to a jury that understands what permanent scarring really means.
Compensation we pursue
- Emergency room and reconstructive surgery
- Plastic surgery for facial scarring
- Rabies and tetanus treatment
- Lost work and childcare costs
- PTSD, anxiety, and counseling
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
From the first call to your settlement
- 1Free Consultation
Call us 24/7. We'll listen, answer questions, and tell you honestly if you have a case.
- 2Investigation
We gather evidence, interview witnesses, secure police reports, and consult experts.
- 3Negotiation
We deal directly with the insurance carriers so you don't have to.
- 4Trial-Ready
If they won't pay fairly, we file suit. Forty years in SC courtrooms.
- 5Recovery
You pay nothing unless we win. Then we deliver every dollar you're owed.
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks — FAQs
What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?+
It doesn't matter. SC's strict-liability rule applies from the very first bite. The owner is responsible regardless of the dog's history.
What if I was bitten at a friend's home?+
We hear this often. The reality is that you're filing a claim against the homeowner's insurance — not your friend personally. Most cases don't damage relationships once people understand how it works.
What if the bite was 'just a nip' and didn't break the skin?+
Bruising, fall injuries from being knocked down, and PTSD are all compensable. Don't dismiss your injuries because the wound looks minor.
What if I was bitten at work — like a delivery driver?+
You may have both a workers' compensation claim and a third-party claim against the dog owner. We coordinate both to maximize your recovery.
How long do dog bite cases take?+
Typically 4–10 months. We want to wait until your treatment is complete and the scarring is stabilized before settling — once you sign a release, you can't reopen the case.
We handle the full range of injury cases
Injured? Let's talk — at no cost to you.
One phone call connects you to a Taylor & Taylor attorney. No fee unless we win.