Dog bite incidents can cause serious injuries requiring costly medical treatment, often leaving injury victims unable to work while they recover. Under South Carolina law, dog owners are usually responsible for compensating attack victims for losses. If you’ve been injured by someone else’s dog in Florence, South Carolina, you need to know about your rights to take legal action with help from a lawyer. Keep reading to learn more about seeking compensation for dog bites and how a lawyer can help.

About Florence Dog Bite Cases

While some states give dog owners an out if their pet has no history of prior attacks, South Carolina follows a strict liability law. Under this law, injured parties can hold dog owners liable for attacks, regardless of the dog’s history. Still, there are important exceptions that you should keep in mind: the person bitten must be either in a public place or on a private property with the owner’s permission. Next, any signs that you provoked the dog may reduce your rights to compensation. Specifically, your settlement may be reduced in proportion to your percent of fault in the case. You also usually can’t sue law enforcement for attacks by trained police dogs.

Fill out the form below

Common Dog Bite Injuries

More than 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the U.S., with nearly 20% requiring prompt medical attention. Common injuries include:

Lacerations

Lacerations are a common kind of dog bite injury, with even small dogs having the ability to cause serious suffering.

Puncture Wounds

Another common type of injury caused by dog bites is puncture wounds. Many dogs’ long, sharp teeth can easily puncture skin.

Broken Bones

Some dogs have incredibly powerful jaws, and attacks can also cause victims to fall to the ground, both of which have the potential to break bones.

Permanent Scarring

Lacerations, puncture wounds, and open fractures can lead to permanent scarring, with attacks often involving disfiguring injuries to the face.

Infections

One often overlooked but all too common type of health implication from dog attacks is bite infections, including Pasteurella and rabies.

Emotional Trauma

Physical pain is just one side of the coin for many attack victims. Dog attacks can also leave lifelong emotional trauma.

Information for Animal Attack Victims

Dog Bite Guides

December 16, 2025

Dog Bite Owner Liability in Summerville, SC
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Summerville, you may be wondering about your legal rights. Can the dog owner be ...
CONTINUE READING

View All Articles

What Financial Compensation Can I Recover for a Florence Dog Attack?

After a dog attack, a dog bite attorney can help you recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. You may be able to make an injury claim for the following types of losses:

Medical bills, including emergency room bills and surgery expenses
Future medical expenses, such as physical therapy
Lost wages and reduced earning ability
Emotional trauma
Permanent scarring
Pain and suffering

In severe cases where dog attacks lead to the victim’s death, the victim’s surviving family members may be able to seek additional damages, including funeral costs and burial expenses.v

SERVING YOU 24/7

(843) 832-1120

Crantford Meehan Attorneys at Law, your trusted Summerville medical malpractice attorneys

How Can a Florence Dog Bite Lawyer Help With Your Case?

Getting help from an attorney with robust legal experience and a proven track record of results can make a big difference in your dog bite case. An attorney can help you in many ways, including:

We can gather evidence and get the expert opinions needed to prove the full extent of your medical costs.
We can use our deep knowledge of Florence County Courts to help you successfully navigate the legal process.
We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, fighting for a fair settlement.
We can represent you in court if your case goes to trial, relying on our extensive trial experience.
We can build a strong case to ensure the dog owner is held liable under South Carolina law.
We can manage all paperwork and deadline concerns in your case, preventing technical mistakes from weakening your claim.
We can protect your rights to compensation for the damages suffered due to South Carolina dog attacks.

If you’ve been injured or suffered emotional harm in a dog attack in Florence, SC, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Crantford Meehan Attorneys at Law are ready to fight for your dog bite claim.

SERVING YOU 24/7

(843) 832-1120

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US

“Helped me through the hardest time in my life “

Crantford Meehan has helped me extremely through the hardest time in my life and has gotten me such an AMAZING recovery after my accident. I highly recommend them to any and everyone I know. Even after my own mother got into an auto accident, they have helped us both successfully move forward with our lives...

Harleigh Tenio
My ‘go to’ for legal help.

Attorney William Crantford has been great! He is my “go to” for legal help.

David Childress
Mr. Meehan was very professional.

Mr. Meehan was very professional. He made sure to address all of the questions and concerns that I had while working with him. I would absolutely recommend Crantford Meehan to anyone looking for an attorney who works hard to get you the best possible outcome.

Nikki M.

VIEW ALL TESTIMONIALS

Frequently Asked Questions

How do dog bite claims get paid in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, dog bite claims are typically paid by the dog owner’s property insurance, specifically under their homeowner or renter insurance coverage. If the insurance claim is denied or the owner is uninsured, you may need to take legal action to get compensation. Legal action is usually taken against the owner’s insurance or the owner, depending on the circumstances.
When are South Carolina dog owners liable for attacks?

Dog owners may be held legally responsible for attacks by their pets in most cases. To prove dog owner liability, you will need to establish that you were harmed by the dog, that you were either in a public place or on private property with permission, and that you did not provoke the animal to attack.
How long do I have to file legal action regarding dog bite injuries?

In all states and for most types of cases, there are deadlines known as statutes of limitations that restrict how long filers have to take legal action. For South Carolina dog bite claims, the statute of limitations is three years. This means you will have three years to file a lawsuit for dog attack injuries. While this might sound like plenty of time, there can be lots of complications and delays in the legal process that can quickly eat up your options. That’s why it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a dog attack. You can reach out to Crantford Meehan Attorneys at Law today for assistance with your case.
When do I need a dog bite lawyer in Florence, SC?

Due to the complexity and high stakes involved in these cases, it’s typically a good idea to get help from a lawyer after any dog bite case leading to injuries or harm. If you plan to make a claim, legal help can make a big difference. It’s especially important to get help from a Florence dog bite attorney if your case involved a child victim or a dog owner who is or was a close friend.