Dog Bite and Animal Injuries in Mount Pleasant, SC: Everything You Need to Know

Holding Negligent Dog Owners Accountable

We’ve all been there—heading out for an early morning sunrise at the beach on Sullivan’s Island, or relaxing at home on the porch with a coffee in hand, or walking through your neighborhood enjoying the laid-back nature of Mount Pleasant. Our town is known for its friendly people and well-trained dogs. When we first moved here from the DC area, we were amazed by how many dogs we saw lounging peacefully on porches in neighborhoods like I’On, Park West, and Snee Farm. Golden retrievers, labs, and spaniels barely raising an eyelid when a stranger walked by.

But as more people move to Mount Pleasant and the beaches, not all pets that travel with them are as well-behaved as our local pups. With new residents and tourists come untrained dogs and owners who don’t use common sense. I see it all the time: people letting dangerous breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, and mastiffs run off-leash in parks where kids are playing or on the beaches in Sullivan’s Island or IOP when it’s not permitted.

Just one poorly trained dog combined with a careless owner can cause a serious injury in an instant.

Dog bites are not just about physical injuries. Often, what’s taken away from the injured person is their sense of safety.

Why Dog Bites Are a Big Deal in the Lowcountry

People often ask me, “Do you really handle dog bite cases?” The answer is yes, and here’s why. Although dog bite cases might not seem as serious as drunk driving accidents or wrongful death cases, they can cause life-altering injuries. I’ve represented clients who suffered severe dog bite injuries that required hospitalization at MUSC and Roper St. Francis, resulting in permanent scars and emotional trauma, especially for children and older adults.

Dog bites are not just about physical injuries. Often, what’s taken away from the injured person is their sense of safety. Imagine living in a neighborhood where you no longer feel safe going for a walk or letting your ride around because a neighbor lets their aggressive dog roam free. The psychological impact of that lost feeling of security on my clients is huge, and it’s one of the reasons why I take these cases seriously.

South Carolina’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law: How It Protects You

South Carolina has strict liability laws for dog bites, which means that a dog owner is automatically responsible if their dog bites and injures someone—even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. Unlike other states, we do not have a “one-bite rule” in South Carolina (in other states the owner may not be liable for the dog’s first bite because they could not have known the dog was dangerous). In South Carolina, you do not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent. In plain terms, if you’ve been bitten by a dog in South Carolina, the law is on your side.

Our law is helpful for dog bite victims, but like any legal matter, the legal process is not that simple. While the law makes it easier to hold a dog owner responsible, there are several challenges that can arise in dog bite cases:

  • Homeowners Insurance complications: Homeowners’ insurance policies are increasingly excluding dog bites or limiting coverage to as little as $5,000 or $10,000. This can leave both the victim and the dog owner in a difficult financial situation.
  • Uninsured owners: Just like with car accidents cause by drunk drivers, many dog owners don’t have the financial means to cover the full extent of their victim’s injuries, which can easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Comparative Negligence: Dangerous dog owners and their insurance companies may try to argue that you provoked their dog to attack or that you were trespassing in the area where you were attacked. These defenses can hurt your case, so it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate these complex issues and work to find a solution to help you. And what you absolutely want to avoid is giving a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance adjuster without first speaking with a dog bite injury lawyer–call me and I’ll explain why.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite Injury?

One of the most common questions I hear from potential clients is, “Who pays for a dog bite?” In many cases, the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy will cover the costs of medical bills and other damages caused by the bite. However, as I mentioned earlier, many insurance companies are now placing strict limits on coverage for dog bites or excluding them from policies altogether. If this is the case, the dog owner may be personally liable for covering your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.

Here’s what typically happens in a dog bite case:

  • Insurance Claim: If the dog owner has insurance that covers dog bites, we’ll file a claim on your behalf. This can cover medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and any other damages related to the bite.
  • Personal Liability: If the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover the bite, we may need to pursue the dog owner personally for compensation. This could involve negotiating a settlement with them directly (which I have done successfully) or filing a lawsuit to recover damages.

At the end of the day, you shouldn’t be left to bear the financial burden of an injury caused by someone else’s negligence. Whether it’s through insurance or personal liability, I can help you recover fairly from the bite.

How Long After a Dog Bite Does Infection Set In?

Another common question that worries my clients is, “How long after a dog bite does infection set in?” Without immediate medical treatment, dog bites can quickly lead to infections due to the bacteria in a dog’s mouth. Infection can begin to set in within 24 to 72 hours after the bite occurs. That’s why it’s incredibly important to seek medical attention immediately after being bitten, even if the wound seems minor.

Common symptoms of infection from a dog bite include:

  • Redness and swelling around the bite area
  • Fever or chills
  • Pus or discharge from the wound
  • Increasing pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away. An untreated infection can lead to more serious complications like cellulitis or sepsis.

A final word on the importance of getting medical treatment early: some people are a bit too self-reliant and figure it’s easier to treat a bad wound at home than to go see a doctor. Getting proper medical attention is not only important to prevent infection and to reduce the chance of scarring, but there is another important reason to do so: Insurance companies will view your delay in getting medical treatment as evidence that your injury was very minor. And if your case goes to trial, a jury might view things the same way.

So head on over to one of the dozen or so urgent care clinics in Mount Pleasant (just google urgent care 29464 29466) to find one near you that’s open. I promise it will be a worthwhile trip.

How Do You Get Fair Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury?

In South Carolina, dog bite victims can seek fair compensation for a variety of damages, including:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and any future medical care related to the bite. Even broken bones from falling down after an aggressive dog knocks you down.
  • Lost Wages: If you had to take time off work to recover from your injuries, you can seek compensation for the income you lost.
  • Pain and Suffering: This includes both the physical pain and the emotional distress caused by the dog bite. Emotional trauma is particularly significant for children who have been bitten, as it can lead to lifelong fear of dogs or other animals.
  • Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement: Dog bites often leave permanent scars, which can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Evidence of permanent scarring, which can be established through expert medical testimony, can significantly increase the value of your legal claim.
  • Emotional Distress: Dog bites can cause PTSD, especially in cases where the victim feared for their life or experienced a particularly violent attack.
  • Punitive Damages: In some cases, you may also be able to seek punitive damages against the dog owner if their actions were particularly reckless, such as letting a dangerous breed like a pit bull, rottweiler, or mastiff roam free despite knowing the real risk that it may bite someone. Or if there is a history of the dog biting other people. So one of the first things that I do when handling a dog bite case is to subpoena records from the veterinarian to find out more about the animal’s histo

Real Client Story: Recovery from a Vicious Dog Bite in Mount Pleasant

Let me share a real story of how I helped a recent client in North Mount Pleasant. This wonderful lady was mauled by two large dogs when she arrived early to a neighborhood get-together. As she entered the backyard, the dogs attacked her, leaving her with severe injuries that required hospitalization. She spent days in the hospital and months in painful recovery, and to this day, she has permanent scars on her legs.

Her case was especially challenging because the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy excluded dog bites, meaning the policy didn’t cover the incident and they lacked sufficient insurance coverage. Instead, the owners had a small $10,000 animal bite policy, which was quickly paid out—but it wasn’t even close enough to cover her extensive medical bills. Then she called me. I pushed hard to secure a much larger settlement and the dogs’ owner came out of pocket to pay my client. It wasn’t easy to get this done, but it was the right thing to do for my client. She deserved full compensation for the horrible experience she went through, and I am very happy I could help her.

What It Takes to Win a Dog Bite Case

Winning a dog bite case is about more than just citing South Carolina’s strict liability laws. To get through the legal process, you will need solid evidence, a thorough understanding of the owner’s insurance policies, and a litigation strategy that takes into account the long-term impact of the bite. Here are the key steps I take to make sure my clients win their cases:

  1. Investigating the Case: I thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the bite, including whether the dog had a history of aggression and if the owner had prior warnings about the dog’s behavior.
  2. Reading the Insurance Policy: I always read the original homeowners’ policy to see if there’s any coverage for dog bites, even when the owner or insurance adjuster says there isn’t. Often, there are details in these policies that they overlook, and those details can make a big difference in your case.
  3. Proving Negligence: Even though South Carolina has strict liability laws, proving that the owner was grossly negligent can open the door to punitive damages. This is especially true if the owner knew the dog was dangerous but failed to take steps to prevent the attack.
  4. Navigating Insurance Complications: Insurance companies often try to deny or limit dog bite claims. I know their tactics, and I won’t let them shortchange you.

Under South Carolina law, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations: Don’t Wait Too Long to Get Legal Help

Under South Carolina law, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. But there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if the dog in question was owned by a government (such as a police dog), you may have only two years to bring your lawsuit. If you miss these deadlines, you will lose your legal right to seek a recovery.

While some attorneys will accept any and all cases that come their way, I have a rule not to accept new cases on the eve of the statute of limitations deadline. Why? Because if you waited almost three year after your injury to contact an attorney for help, chance are your injuries were not serious enough for me to get involved. I only take cases from folks who are truly injured and who believe irresponsible people are responsible to make things right for you and your family.

How Colin Ram Law Can Help with Your Dog Bite Injury Case

My goal is simple: to help you get the compensation you are entitled to receive and to ensure that what happened to you doesn’t happen to anyone else. Here’s what you should look for when researching a dog bite injury attorney to handle your case:

Experience: I have years of experience handling dog bite and other serious injury cases in Mount Pleasant and the surrounding Charleston area. So if you are in Charleston, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Awendaw, Goose Creek, North Charleston, Summerville, Nexton, or Daniel Island or near any of those places, give me a call.

Personal Attention: When you hire me as your lawyer, you will have direct access to me and receive one-on-one attention from start to finish. Unlike larger law firms with call centers staffed by non-lawyers, when you give me a call you can speak with me directly about your dog bite injury case.

No Upfront Legal Fees: I accept cases on a contingency fee basis, which means your interests are aligned with mine. Under a contingency fee, you don’t pay any upfront attorney’s fees or retainers when hiring my firm. Instead, Colin Ram Law only gets paid if you win at trial or settle your case. This fee is a percentage of the total money recovered for you, so if you don’t recover any money, you won’t owe us anything for legal fees.

Key Takeaways for Dog Bite Injury Cases

South Carolina’s Strict Liability Law: Makes it easier to hold dog owners accountable, but insurance limitations can complicate your ability to secure a fair settlement on your own.

Homeowners’ Insurance Policies: Vary greatly in terms of dog bite coverage—sometimes animal bites are excluded, and sometimes insurance coverage for animal bites is limited to just a few thousand dollars.

Act Quickly: The sooner we can start building your case, the better off you will be. So take care of yourself and seek medical treatment as early as you can, and please don’t put off reaching out to me as evidence can disappear if it is not obtained quickly.

FAQs About Dog Bites in South Carolina

Infection can start setting in within 24 to 72 hours after a dog bite. Always seek medical attention immediately after a bite, even if the wound seems minor.

In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy will cover the damages caused by the bite. If the policy excludes dog bites, the dog owner may be personally liable.

Yes, you can receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, broken bones, nerve damage, scarring, and more. In some cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

Call Or Message Colin Ram Law Today To Discuss Your Legal Options

If you’ve been injured by a dog or other animal bite and are looking for a competent dog bite attorney to help you navigate your options and reach a favorable settlement, please reach out to me to discuss your options. Call or text me at 843-278-7000 or fill out the form below for a complementary strategy call.

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COLIN RAM LAW, LLC

941 Houston Northcutt Blvd.
Suite 203
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-278-7000 | colin@sctrial.com

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DISCLAIMER – No attorney-client relationship has been established unless and until you have entered into a written agreement with this office. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Case results listed here include cases Colin handled at other firms as lead counsel prior to starting Colin Ram Law, LLC. The results Colin achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained in other cases. All cases will be handled from the Mt. Pleasant, SC office located in Charleston County, South Carolina.

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