Charleston Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Lawyer Charleston, SC

If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog in Charleston, the physical injuries are only part of the problem. Dog bites frequently cause deep lacerations, nerve damage, broken bones, and lasting scars that require surgical repair. And for children, the emotional trauma from a dog attack can persist long after the wound closes.

South Carolina imposes strict liability on dog owners. That means the owner is responsible for your damages regardless of whether the dog had bitten anyone before. At Woron and Dhillon, LLC, our Charleston, SC dog bite lawyer has over 30 years of experience holding negligent animal owners accountable. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Choose Woron and Dhillon, LLC for Dog Bite Cases in Charleston, SC?

Attorneys Who Handle Animal Attack Claims in South Carolina

Brett Woron earned his J.D. from the USC School of Law in 2010 and has spent 14 years handling civil cases to verdict. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Amar Dhillon brings 26 years of personal injury practice, with specific experience in dog bite incidents, slip and fall cases, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle accidents. He is a member of the American Bar Association and holds bar admissions in Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Our personal injury lawyer in Charleston, SC brings focused attention to every dog bite claim that comes through our office.

Proven Results for Injured Clients

We’ve recovered millions of dollars for people injured through the negligence of others across South Carolina. Our record includes significant settlements and verdicts in premises liability, drunk driving, trucking, and wrongful death matters. That same preparation and determination applies when we represent someone mauled or bitten by someone else’s dog.

Contingency Fee Representation

You pay nothing up front. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we don’t win, you owe us nothing. That arrangement means the decision to hire a dog bite lawyer in Charleston, SC is not a financial risk.

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“I cannot say enough great things about Woron & Dhillon. From start to finish, Will and Brett handled my accident case with professionalism, compassion, and dedication. They kept me informed at every step, explained things in a way I could understand, and truly fought for my best outcome. The entire team was responsive to my questions and made me feel like a priority, not just another case. Thanks to their hard work, my case was resolved fairly and efficiently. I highly recommend Woron & Dhillon to anyone who needs strong, trustworthy representation!” — Crystal Catoe

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Charleston

Dog attacks range from minor nips to violent maulings that leave permanent physical and emotional damage. We represent victims across a broad range of circumstances, including attacks by neighborhood pets, stray animals, and dogs with known aggressive histories. These are the types of cases we see most often in Charleston, SC.

• Severe lacerations and scarring. Deep puncture wounds and tears often require stitches, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery. The scarring from a serious dog bite can be permanent, particularly on the face, hands, and forearms.
  
• Attacks on children. Children are the most common victims of dog bites, and they suffer the worst injuries. According to CDC data, children under 14 are disproportionately affected by dog bite injuries. Their smaller size makes head, face, and neck injuries far more likely. South Carolina law provides strong protections for children bitten by dogs.
  
• Bites on public property. Parks, sidewalks, and public trails are common sites for dog attacks in Charleston. South Carolina’s strict liability statute applies whether the bite occurs on public or private property, as long as the victim was lawfully present.
  
• Attacks causing catastrophic injuries. Some dog attacks cause traumatic brain injuries, crushed bones, or permanent nerve damage. These cases involve higher medical costs, longer recovery periods, and substantially larger claims.
  
• Wrongful death. Fatal dog attacks are rare but do occur, particularly involving young children and elderly victims. Families who lose a loved one to a dog attack may pursue a wrongful death claim against the owner.
  
• Bites by known aggressive dogs. When an owner knows a dog has a history of aggression and fails to restrain or muzzle the animal, that prior knowledge strengthens the case for additional damages. Prior complaints to animal control or documented bite history can be critical evidence.
  

South Carolina Legal Requirements for Dog Bite Claims

South Carolina is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner is liable for damages whenever their dog bites or attacks someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You do not need to show that the dog had bitten someone before. The statute eliminates those hurdles entirely, which makes South Carolina’s law more favorable to bite victims than many other states.

The statute also extends liability beyond the dog’s owner. Any person who has the dog in their care or keeping at the time of the attack can be held responsible. That includes dog sitters, dog walkers, kennel operators, and family members watching the animal temporarily.

There is one significant defense. If the victim provoked or harassed the dog and that provocation was the proximate cause of the attack, the owner may not be liable. Insurance companies raise this defense frequently, and it is one reason why having a dog bite attorney in Charleston matters. We investigate the circumstances of every attack to counter that argument when it arises.

The statute of limitations for a dog bite claim in South Carolina is three years under S.C. Code § 15-3-530. If a lawsuit is not filed within that window, the right to pursue compensation is lost. South Carolina also applies comparative negligence principles. If the court finds you partially at fault, your recovery is reduced accordingly. And if your fault exceeds 50%, you are barred from recovering anything. 

An experienced dog bite lawyer in Charleston can help you avoid mistakes that could be used against you.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Charleston Dog Bite Cases?

The value of a dog bite claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the circumstances of the attack, and the long-term consequences for the victim. South Carolina law allows recovery in three categories.

Economic damages compensate for documented financial losses. Medical bills are often the largest component, and in serious dog bite cases, those bills grow fast. Emergency room treatment, surgery, antibiotics, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, tetanus shots, and follow-up wound care add up quickly. If the injuries require plastic or reconstructive surgery, costs climb further. According to the CDC, dog bite injuries send hundreds of thousands of Americans to emergency rooms each year, and the average hospital stay for a bite-related infection runs into thousands of dollars. Lost wages from missed work and any reduction in future earning capacity are recoverable as well.

Non-economic damages address the harm that doesn’t carry a price tag. Pain and suffering from the attack itself, the emotional distress that follows, disfigurement from visible scarring, and the development of lasting phobias or anxiety around dogs all fall here. Children bitten by dogs often experience nightmares, social withdrawal, and fear responses that require therapy. The distinction between economic and non-economic damages can significantly affect the total value of your case.

Punitive damages may apply in cases involving particularly reckless behavior by the dog owner. If an owner knew a dog was dangerous, had been warned by neighbors or animal control, and still allowed the animal to roam free, the court may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. These awards are intended to punish extreme negligence and deter similar conduct.

A dog bite attorney in Charleston, SC can evaluate your injuries, calculate a realistic case value, and make sure nothing is left out of your claim.

Contact Woron and Dhillon, LLC

If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Charleston, SC, we want to hear about it. We provide free consultations and handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no financial barrier to getting legal help.

During your consultation, we will review the facts of the attack, explain how South Carolina’s strict liability law applies, and give you an honest assessment of your options. Evidence in dog bite cases can disappear quickly, so reaching out to a dog bite lawyer sooner rather than later makes a difference.

Contact us to schedule your free consultation.