Columbia Dog Bite Lawyer

Columbia Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites can happen unexpectedly, causing severe pain and injury. A dog attack is especially devastating when the victim is a child. They can lead to hospitalization and even death. When you are injured by a dog attack, the dog’s owner is likely liable for the injuries you have sustained. A Columbia dog bite lawyer can review the circumstances of your injury and determine if you have the grounds to file a claim to recover losses like medical expenses.

Except in specific cases, dog owners are liable for all the damages done by their dog’s attack. At the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III, we can help you secure financial recovery after a traumatic and painful attack. For nearly 30 years, our firm has fought for the interests of our clients. Our personal injury firm provides compassionate and experienced legal support, helping victims of these dangerous attacks find results.

It can feel overwhelming to consider a claim when you or someone you love is dealing with substantial injuries. However, you don’t have to navigate it alone. A claim can hold the dog’s owner responsible and secure the financial support that you need. Our firm can help you get full and fair compensation.

What Is the Dog Bite Law in Columbia?

In South Carolina, dog owners are liable for the damages done by their dogs due to dog bites or dog attacks. If you were bitten or attacked in a public location or while legally in a private location, the dog’s owner is responsible for the damages you sustain. This is the case whether the property you were on was the dog owner’s property. A person who cares for and keeps the dog would also be liable for damages done by the dog.

This liability applies if you were invited onto the property, either expressly or through implication, and it applies if you are on the premises as part of your duty, such as delivering mail as a postal office worker. The dog’s owner is not liable if you harassed the dog or provoked it, and this was the proximate cause of the bite or attack. The dog’s owner is also not liable if the dog was a law enforcement dog performing its duties in Columbia, and the following is true:

1. The bite or attack was in compliance with a lawful command by a certified officer
2. The dog is properly trained and certified
3. There is a written policy on how dogs should be used in the agency’s law enforcement
4. The certified offer did not violate this written policy
5. The attack or order by the officer is not considered excessive force
6. The bite or attack did not harm a bystander

South Carolina does not have a one-bite law.

Common Injuries in Dog Attacks

Dog attacks and bites can cause severe injuries, particularly for vulnerable individuals. This includes children, the elderly, and those who are disabled. It is crucial to get medical treatment immediately if you or someone you love is attacked by a dog. Some common injuries in dog attacks include:

• Lacerations and abrasions
• Bruises
• Dislocations
• Broken and crushed bones
• Deep punctures
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Scarring
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Other head injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Traumatic brain injuries

Dog bites can also carry bacteria and cause infection and infectious diseases. A dog bite can cause tetanus and even rabies, although rabies is less common in dogs. The primary animal involved in confirmed rabies cases in Richland County in 2023 was raccoons, which caused three cases of rabies. In 2024, there was one dog in South Carolina as part of a confirmed rabies case.

You can report stray animals to the City of Columbia Animal Services at (803)776-PETS (7387), and you must report animal bites to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which has more in-depth instructions on its website.

FAQs About Columbia, SC Dog Bite Laws

How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Dog Bite?

The compensation you can get for a dog bite depends on the severity of the bite and injuries, whether the dog owner can be held liable, and many other factors. The insurance coverage of the dog’s owner could limit the compensation you can recover. Your compensation may also be limited if you were found partially to blame, depending on the circumstances. If you work with a skilled attorney, you are more likely to obtain the maximum compensation possible.

Is It Worth It to File a Claim for a Dog Bite?

Whether or not it is worth it to file a claim for a dog bite depends on the circumstances of your case, and an attorney can help you review the specifics. Often, it is worth it because you can recover the value of your damages, providing yourself with some financial support to cover medical bills and lost income. However, some circumstances can prevent you from recovering compensation, such as provoking the dog.

What Is the Largest Settlement for a Dog Bite?

Every dog bite settlement is unique, and the value of your specific settlement will depend on the damages you suffered. This includes the cost of medical treatment like surgeries, medication, hospital stays, and long-term care. It also includes any lost wages during your recovery. A dog bite settlement also considers pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and other intangible damages.

The more serious your injuries, the higher these costs are likely to be, and therefore, the higher a settlement should be.

What Proof Is Needed for a Dog Bite?

For a dog bite case in South Carolina, you must prove that you were in a public place or lawfully in a private place when you were bitten or attacked by the dog and that you did not provoke or harass the dog into attacking. The dog’s owner is then liable for any damages you sustained, so you must also prove damages. An attorney can help you gather the information needed to prove a dog bite claim.

Work With a Dedicated Personal Injury Attorney in Columbia Today

When you were attacked by a dog through no fault of your own, you should not have to be responsible for the financial burden of those injuries. It can be incredibly traumatic for victims of dog bites, and the costs of this recovery and the therapy needed are considered in a claim.

At the Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III, we help you assess the full cost of your financial and personal losses and guide you through each step of the case. Contact our firm today to see how we can help.