Were you bitten or attacked by a dog in Columbia, South Carolina? Call Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys at (803) 999-5756 for a free consultation. Our experienced Columbia dog bite lawyers can help you file a claim for compensation.
Our top-rated personal injury law firm has 40 years of combined experience and a track record of success you can trust. We’ll immediately prioritize your case if you hire us and ensure you receive the full force of our dedication and resources. We can advise you on your legal rights and options during your free case review.
Why Hire Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys After a Dog Bite in Columbia, SC?
Dog bite cases in Columbia, SC, may seem straightforward on the surface. However, they can get complicated quickly when you factor in the statutory defenses that are allowed, as well as the insurance companies that may become involved to one extent or another.
Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys knows what it takes to not just win cases like these, but actually recover the full amount of compensation our clients are entitled to.
There are several reasons injured victims throughout the area choose our Columbia personal injury lawyers:
- We bring four full decades of combined legal experience to every dog bite case we handle
- Our attorneys have a deep understanding of South Carolina’s strict liability dog bite statute and how to apply it effectively
- We’ve received awards from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and other leading professional organizations
- We’ll be prepared to take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to offer a settlement that reflects what your injuries are truly worth
Contact our legal team today for more information about your claim. Our Columbia dog bite attorneys are ready to get to work for you right away.
South Carolina’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
South Carolina follows a strict liability rule for dog bites and attacks. Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, a dog’s owner or the person who had the animal in their care is liable for injuries the dog causes, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or shown any signs of aggression.
This is an important distinction. Many states follow a “one-bite rule,” which essentially gives dog owners a pass the first time their animal injures someone. South Carolina does not. If a dog attacked you while you were lawfully present, the owner is responsible.
To recover under this statute, you generally need to show two things:
- You were in a public place or were lawfully on private property when the attack occurred.
- You did not provoke the dog.
Lawful presence in this context covers invited guests and anyone else with a legitimate reason for being on the property. If you were trespassing, the owner may not be liable. Similarly, if the owner can prove you teased or harassed the animal in a way that triggered the attack, their liability may be eliminated.
How Much Is My Columbia Dog Bite Case Worth?
At the end of the day, the value of your claim will depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved in your situation.
Some of the key considerations include:
- The severity and long-term impact of your injuries
- Whether you required surgery and ongoing treatment
- The extent of any permanent scarring and disfigurement
- How much work you missed, and whether your ability to earn a living has been affected
- The emotional and psychological toll of the attack
- Whether the dog owner’s insurance policy limits affect the available recovery amount
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- Whether you are being blamed for the attack
Our Columbia personal injury attorneys can provide a more detailed assessment of what your claim may be worth during your free consultation.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Columbia, SC?
If you were attacked by a dog while lawfully present on public or private property, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages address the direct financial costs of the attack, such as:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgical procedures
- Ongoing medical treatment and follow-up care
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal impact of your injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Fear and anxiety around animals
- Loss of consortium
Dog bite injuries can also require cosmetic or reconstructive procedures down the road, particularly when the face is involved. Our lawyers will account for anticipated future costs when building your claim, so you will not be left paying out of pocket later.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Columbia?
Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing out of pocket to get started, and we only collect attorney’s fees if we successfully recover money for you.
Our fees will be taken as a percentage of your final compensation award. If we do not win compensation for you, you owe us nothing in terms of attorney’s fees. Before your case begins, we will walk you through a fee agreement that spells out the terms in plain language.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in South Carolina?
It is possible under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule, which means that your compensation can typically be reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault, up to 50%. If you are found to be more than 50% to blame for the attack, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
Insurance companies try to use this rule to reduce the amount they pay accident victims. Our team is well-versed in countering these tactics and will fight to protect your right to compensation.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Columbia, SC
Dog attacks can produce a wide range of injuries, and the severity often depends on the size of the animal, the location of the bite, and the age of the victim.
Some of the most common injuries we see in dog bite cases include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Severe scarring
- Disfigurement
- Infections
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
Note that state law covers more than just bites. The statute applies whenever a person is “bitten or otherwise attacked” by a dog, which could include being knocked down, chased into traffic, or injured while trying to escape an aggressive animal.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in South Carolina
While some attacks happen without warning, many are linked to a dog owner’s failure to take reasonable steps to keep others safe.
Common causes of dog bites include:
- Dogs running loose without a leash or proper supervision
- Owners ignoring signs of aggression, fear, or anxiety
- Poor fencing, broken gates, or unsecured yards
- Dogs escaping from homes, vehicles, or businesses
- Failure to separate dogs from children, guests, or delivery workers
- Lack of training or socialization
- Provoking, teasing, or startling a dog
- Dogs protecting food, toys, puppies, or territory
Children are especially vulnerable because they may not recognize a dog’s warning signs or know how to respond safely. Delivery drivers, postal workers, joggers, cyclists, and visitors to a dog owner’s property may also face a higher risk of being bitten.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Columbia, South Carolina?
South Carolina’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit under S.C. Code § 15-3-530. If you let that window close without taking legal action, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case.
Three years may sound like a generous timeline, but dog bite cases require thorough documentation and sometimes expert opinions. All of that takes time to put together properly, plus there are exceptions that can adjust the time limit for some cases. The earlier you reach out, the better your case will be when it matters most.
Contact Our Columbia Dog Bite Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you bitten by a dog in Columbia, SC? The state’s strict liability law is designed to protect people in your situation, but the dog owner’s insurance company will still do everything it can to pay you as little as possible. Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys knows how to push back.
Call our Columbia dog bite attorneys or reach out online to schedule your free case review today.
