After a Dog Bite on Johns Island
Treatment comes first. A relative or friend can handle the rest while you are cared for.
- Get away and get care. Put a car door, fence or closed door between you and the dog. Deep wounds, heavy bleeding, bites to the face or hands and possible rabies exposure call for 911 or the ER. Keep every wound-care, surgery and follow-up visit.
- Identify the owner. Get the owner's name, address and phone number, and ask whether the dog is theirs or one they were watching.
- Ask about shots. Request proof of rabies vaccination and pass what you learn to your doctors.
- Report the bite. Contact animal control or the public health office, give them the details, ask about any observation or quarantine steps, and keep a copy of the report.
- Take photos. The bite the same day and every few days after, torn clothing, the yard or road edge where it happened, and the dog if that is safe.
- Get witness names. Neighbors, delivery drivers, work crews down the street or a passing driver may have seen it.
- Keep the records. Medical bills, prescription receipts, messages with the owner and damaged clothing or glasses.
- Hold off on signing. Many people talk with a lawyer first.
Dogs Around the Island
Dogs are part of life on Johns Island, from big yards on River Road to new neighborhoods off Maybank Highway and rental houses on the way to Kiawah and Seabrook. Many island roads have no sidewalk, so walkers, runners and cyclists often pass close to yards and driveways.
How South Carolina's Dog Bite Law Works
A dog's owner, or the person caring for or keeping the dog, is generally liable when it bites or attacks someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner's property. Proof of an earlier bite, or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, generally isn't required.1
There are exceptions. Provocation is one: if the injured person provoked the dog and that was the proximate cause, the statute may not apply. Your location and your reason for being there count, because the statute covers people in public places or lawfully on private land.1
The law covers attacks as well as bites. Being knocked flat by an attacking dog may count even without teeth, while colliding with a friendly, bouncing dog may not.1 Other claims may still exist. For an older walker, getting knocked down can mean a broken hip or wrist.
Want someone to look at your situation?
Talk with our team about what happened and ask the questions on your mind.
Time to File
Most South Carolina injury claims must be filed within three years.2 The limit is for a lawsuit, and an insurance claim does not pause it.3 If a public agency had charge of the dog, its own, possibly shorter, deadline governs.4 For the full statewide picture, read about South Carolina dog bite claims.
If a Child Was Bitten
- Take pictures of the bite every few days until it closes, and after.
- List every return visit, stitch removal and scar treatment.
- Write down nightmares, school trouble or new fear of dogs.
An injured child may get more time to file, but the extra time is limited and exceptions apply.5 Get advice early rather than counting on time until your child grows up.
Talk With Us About What Happened
Scars from a dog attack can last, and so can a fear of dogs. We hear the whole account first, from the moment the dog appeared. When the owner is someone you know, we keep that in mind. If you hire us, the insurers can usually deal with us.
Our office is on King Street in downtown Charleston. We take cases across South Carolina, including Johns Island. The first conversation can happen by phone.
If a dog knocked you off a bike, see Johns Island bicycle crashes. If you were hurt on someone's property another way, see Johns Island property injuries.
South Carolina Law on This
- Under South Carolina law, a dog's owner or keeper is generally liable, even without proof they knew the dog was dangerous, when it bites or attacks someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, unless the person provoked or harassed the dog into the attack.1
- Most personal injury claims in South Carolina must be filed within three years.2
- South Carolina's statute of limitations generally sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit in court. Simply opening a claim with an insurance company or negotiating with an insurance adjuster does not stop the statute of limitations from running.3
- Claims against a South Carolina state or local government agency have their own filing deadline, which can be shorter, and there could be caps on damages under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, depending on the facts of the case.4
- Under South Carolina law, children may have more time than adults to file personal injury claims. However, that additional time is limited, and certain exceptions may apply.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible when a dog bites someone?
South Carolina law generally holds the owner, or whoever was keeping the dog, liable when it bites or attacks someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. The owner may avoid liability if the person hurt provoked the dog and the provocation was the proximate cause. Whether the statute fits depends on where it happened and who had the dog.1
A dog knocked me down on the road but never bit me. Is that covered?
It may be. Because the law speaks of dogs that bite or otherwise attack, an attack with no bite can still fall under it.1 A dog that jumped up or bowled you over may or may not qualify, and other claims could exist. Get treated and write down what happened.
A dog bit my child. What comes first?
Get prompt medical care, then keep treatment records, photos of the injury and information about the dog and owner. South Carolina may give an injured child more time to file, but special rules and exceptions apply.5 Get advice early rather than counting on extra time that lasts until your child is grown.
The dog belongs to a neighbor I like. What now?
Worrying about the relationship is natural. Before you decide, a lawyer can explain the options, including whether a homeowner's policy might be involved. Asking questions does not commit you to a claim.
The dog belonged to guests at the rental house next door, and they've gone home. What should I save?
Save any photos, the rental house's address, the dates and the names of neighbors who saw the dog or talked with the guests.
Sources
This page is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case depends on its own facts.
