Charleston Dog Bite Lawyer Stephen A. Longo
South Carolina’s strict dog bite law protects victims. We enforce it.
Dog bite injuries are more serious and more common than many people realize. In Charleston and throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry, dogs are a beloved part of many households, but even the most well-trained animals can bite under certain circumstances. And when a dog bites, the injuries can be severe: deep puncture wounds, torn muscle and tissue, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and lasting psychological trauma.
South Carolina has one of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. Under state law, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or when the victim was lawfully on private property. This is a strict liability standard, meaning the owner is responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before and even if the owner had no reason to think the dog was dangerous. You don’t have to prove the owner knew their dog was aggressive. You simply have to show you were bitten.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we represent dog bite victims throughout the Charleston area. We understand how South Carolina’s dog bite law works and how to use it effectively to pursue the compensation you deserve. If you or your child was attacked, contact us today.
What makes a valid dog bite claim in South Carolina?
To bring a successful dog bite claim under South Carolina’s strict liability statute, the following generally must be true:
- You were bitten by a dog.
- The bite occurred in a public place, or you were lawfully on private property at the time of your dog bite.
- You did not provoke the dog.
If these conditions are met, South Carolina law gives you a strong legal foundation for your claim regardless of the dog’s prior behavior. The owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy often covers dog bite claims, which means there is frequently a viable source of compensation available.
What compensation can you recover after a dog bite in Charleston?
Like other injury claims, you can seek compensation for all your financial losses associated with your dog bite injury. Such expenses often include:
- Emergency medical treatment and ongoing wound care
- Surgery and reconstructive procedures, including treatment for scarring
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income if injuries prevented you from working
- Pain and suffering, including emotional and psychological trauma
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
Dog bite injuries to children can be especially severe and can have lasting psychological effects. If your child was attacked, the long-term impact of the injury must be part of any claim. We make sure it is.
How long do you have to file a dog bite claim in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation entirely. Don’t wait. Contact The Longo Firm, LLC as soon as possible after a dog bite injury. The sooner we can begin investigating and building your case, the stronger your position will be.
Evidence in a dog bite case can deteriorate faster than many people realize. Photographs of the wound taken close in time to the attack capture the severity of the injury before treatment and healing begin to change its appearance. Witness accounts are most reliable when given promptly, while the details of where the attack occurred, how the dog was restrained and what the owner said in the immediate aftermath are still fresh. Animal control records, prior bite complaints and owner liability insurance documentation may also need to be gathered before they become difficult to access.
An attorney can also help you avoid common mistakes that can damage your claim. Many dog bite victims do not realize that a seemingly sympathetic statement to the dog’s owner or their insurer, such as saying you are not badly hurt or that you are not sure exactly what happened, can be used later to minimize your injuries or dispute liability. Attorney Longo can step in early to handle communications, preserve the evidence that matters and position your case for the maximum compensation South Carolina’s strict liability dog bite law allows.
South Carolina’s dog bite law is on your side. Let us make it work for you.
What this means in practice is that you do not need to investigate the dog’s history, find prior incidents, or prove that the owner acted recklessly. The owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy frequently covers dog bite claims, and there is often a viable source of compensation available. Our job is to document your injuries thoroughly, establish the conditions of the attack and demand the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and any permanent scarring or psychological harm.
Many dog bite victims are hesitant to pursue a claim because they know the owner personally or feel guilty about potentially affecting someone they care about. It is important to understand that in most cases, it is the owner’s insurance company, not the owner personally, that pays for the claim. South Carolina’s law exists precisely because dog bite injuries can be severe and the cost of recovery should not fall on the victim. You were not at fault. You deserve to be made whole.
Dog bite victims in Charleston often don’t realize how strong their legal position actually is. South Carolina’s strict liability standard means you don’t have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had a history of aggression. You simply have to show you were bitten while lawfully present. That’s a powerful foundation for a claim.
Why should I hire a Charleston dog bite attorney?
Dog bite cases under South Carolina’s strict liability statute may appear straightforward, but insurance companies still look for ways to limit what they pay. They may argue that you provoked the animal, that you were not lawfully present on the property or that your injuries are less serious than your medical records indicate. They may request access to your broader medical history or push for an early settlement before the full extent of scarring, nerve damage or psychological effects is understood. Without an attorney, you may not know when to push back or when to decline.
Attorney Longo and his team know how to counter these tactics. We document injuries thoroughly, work with medical professionals to capture the full picture of your losses and build the evidence needed to demand real accountability. Charleston dog bite victims deserve to be treated seriously, and we make sure the insurance company does exactly that. Your consultation is free and you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
The Longo Firm, LLC handles dog bite cases throughout the Charleston area and fights for every dollar our clients deserve. Contact us for a free evaluation. The three-year deadline to file a lawsuit in South Carolina applies to dog bite claims too. Get legal help now so nothing is left to chance.
The Longo Firm, LLC – we fight to win for you.