Dog Bite Attorney in Charleston

Name: Dog Bites
Brand: Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm
Rating: 5 (255 reviews)

A dog bite can lead to painful injuries, permanent scarring, infection risks, and emotional trauma that often follow long after the attack. In South Carolina, dog owners are held accountable when their failure to control an animal causes harm. A skilled dog bite attorney in Charleston can step in early, protect your rights, and make sure insurance companies don’t downplay what you’ve been through. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we stay on the offense from day one.

Force Accountability After an Attack

Each year in the United States, dogs bite about 4.5 million people, with hundreds of thousands requiring medical treatment, often in emergency departments. Roughly 885,000 people sought care for dog bites in recent national health data. In recent years, it has also become clear that dog bites can lead to long-term physical damage, infection risks, and emotional trauma. As a result, dog bite settlements have increased significantly over the years.

A dog bite occurs when a canine clamps down on skin with its teeth, often causing lacerations, puncture wounds, broken bones, infection, or scarring. In South Carolina, liability isn’t tied to whether the dog has bitten before or whether the owner knew it might bite. Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner is strictly liable for injuries a dog causes to someone who is lawfully on public or private property, so responsibility is imposed simply because the injury happened.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Puncture Wounds and Deep Lacerations

Dog teeth have the ability to tear and clamp, not just break skin. Deep puncture wounds and jagged lacerations can damage muscles, tendons, and nerves, often requiring stitches or surgery and leaving permanent scars that don’t fade with time.

Infections and Disease Transmission

Dog bites carry a high risk of infection due to bacteria in a dog’s mouth. Even wounds that look minor can turn serious fast, leading to abscesses, sepsis, or hospitalization, especially for children, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system.

Nerve and Soft Tissue Damage

When a bite crushes tissue beneath the skin, the damage isn’t always visible right away. Nerve injuries can cause numbness, weakness, or chronic pain, limiting movement and making everyday tasks harder long after the wound itself heals.

Broken Bones and Crush Injuries

Powerful bites, especially from large dogs, can fracture bones or cause crushing injuries, particularly to hands, arms, and faces. These injuries often require surgery, physical therapy, and long recovery periods that disrupt work, routines, and independence.

Facial Injuries and Permanent Scarring

Dog bites to the face are especially traumatic, both physically and emotionally. Victims may need facial reconstructive surgery, and permanent scarring can affect confidence, mental health, and quality of life, long after medical treatment ends.

Emotional Trauma and Psychological Harm

The damage isn’t always physical. Many dog bite victims develop anxiety, nightmares, or a lasting fear of animals. For children in particular, the emotional fallout can be just as serious as the physical injuries and requires long-term professional treatment.

Common Reasons for Dog Bites

Dog attacks don’t happen out of nowhere. In most cases, they’re the result of preventable owner behavior, poor supervision, or ignored warning signs. Common causes include:

Failure to properly restrain or leash the dog
Lack of supervision around children or strangers
Ignoring known aggressive or territorial behavior
Allowing dogs to roam freely in public or neighborhoods
Inadequate fencing or broken gates
Failure to train or socialize the animal
Leaving dogs unattended with visitors
Disregarding prior complaints or warning signs

Why Choose Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm for Dog Bites?

After a dog attack, insurance companies move fast to protect themselves and deny payouts. That’s why you need a firm that moves faster. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we handle dog bite cases with a clear plan: lock down the facts, cut off weak defenses, and keep the pressure on until the other side has no room to dodge responsibility. We know how these cases are attacked, and we build them to hold up under fire, not just to settle quickly.

That mindset comes straight from the top. Gus Anastopoulo built this firm from scratch by refusing to play by the defense’s rules or become a part of South Carolina’s old “good ol’ boys” system. He outworked, outplanned, and outperformed, and that DNA runs through every case we take. When you hire us, you work with a team that stays on the offense from day one and doesn’t let your injuries get minimized or brushed aside.

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Your Legal Options After a Dog Bite in South Carolina

South Carolina takes dog bite injuries seriously, and the law is structured to protect victims, not excuse careless owners. Unlike states that make you jump through hoops to prove fault, South Carolina gives injured people clear legal paths to hold dog owners accountable. Depending on the facts, your claim will usually fall under one of two liability theories.

Strict Liability

South Carolina follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. That means a dog owner is responsible for the injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog has bitten before or shown prior aggression. Because the statute is broad, insurance companies often argue that it’s “unfair” to dog owners, and many jurors are receptive to that argument, so it must be framed carefully.

Scienter (Knowledge of Viciousness)

In some cases, liability is based on what the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s dangerous tendencies. In these cases, evidence can include prior bites, aggressive behavior, complaints, or warning signs the owner ignored. When this applies, it strengthens the case by showing the attack was preventable. Jurors are also more receptive to this theory.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Dog Bites?

Determining liability in a dog bite case requires breaking down control, ownership, and responsibility. We look at where the incident happened, who had authority over the dog, whether leash or containment laws were followed, and what the responsible parties knew before the bite occurred.

When insurance companies try to narrow blame to avoid paying full compensation, we widen the lens and follow the facts. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:

The dog’s owner
A temporary handler or caretaker, such as a dog sitter or walker
A landlord or property owner who allowed a dangerous dog on the premises
A business or commercial property owner where the attack occurred
A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covering the dog
A property management company responsible for enforcing safety rules

Client Testimonials

"Working with this law firm was an absolute breeze. They run their business efficiently, communicate clearly, and make every step quick and easy. The team is professional, reliable...

—Tyana Canty

Gus Law Firm did an outstanding job handling my case! Jotavia was amazing; she went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of and kept me informed every step of th...

—SaNya Grant Paul

Gus and his team kept me informed every step of the way. They truly take the time to understand your case and what you’re going through. Every team member was professional an...

—Rebecca Gates

Gus and his team were excellent. My family was affected by a horrible accident, and his firm stood beside me every step of the way. He and his team went above and beyond expectatio...

—Kathy

My experience was a good one. Everyone was kind and professional, and they handled my case in a timely manner. A great team, and I thank everyone! Highly recommended.

—DN

It was truly an honor for your law firm to represent me in this case. I will be forever grateful to your team for all the hard work they did for me. Thanks and happy holidays!...

—Shawn Davis

I’ve gotten such a good impression of Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm from Jotavia Myers. She’s kind, helpful, and genuine, and it’s easy to see she represents the firm ...

—Deanna Marie

Gus and the entire team were so efficient and professional! I appreciate every effort! They absolutely know what they are doing, and I’m so glad they were representing me! Hi...

—Pam Toledano

Jo has truly done an amazing job helping me with my case to the fullest extent and has made certain that I understand every aspect of my case. She was truly committed to ensuring t...

—Jason Williams

This was by far the best experience I had with a law firm! Jotavia was amazing! They handled everything for me, making it seamless. I was out of the country, and they helped me so ...

—Kia Major

I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal injury law firms near me, I found Gus's law firm, and I’m so ...

—Michael

The lawyers at Gus’s are AMAZING! They went above & beyond for us. My fiancé and I were in a car accident in February, which left us without that car. By the grace...

—Carly McGee

Gus Anastopoulo and his firm were EXTREMELY AMAZING. From start to finish, this law firm was very helpful, professional, and knowledgeable. They assist me step by step, making sure...

—Tamika Moore

I was very pleased with Gus representing me for something that happened suddenly. It was definitely a situation that had me stressed and not knowing what to do, but they were there...

—Tiffany Bredenkamp

I wish I could give this firm a 10-star review! They are extremely responsive, maintain great communication, and care about their clients! The attorneys here not only fight for you...

—Ricardo Prizzie

They took care of all my problems. JP was amazing, very transparent with all the cost upfront and fought hard for my case to go through and win.

— Jovanny Castano

I'm very pleased with Gus and his representation. He definitely dotted all the I's and crossed all T's in my case. He's very kind and Hannah is the sweetest assistant as well. I wo...

—Lora Edwards

Outstanding Car Accident Representation – Highly Recommend! I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal i...

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Breaking Down Common Defense Tactics

Insurance companies don’t start by asking what you need: they start by looking for ways to avoid paying. In dog bite cases, they lean on a handful of familiar defenses and try to stretch them beyond what South Carolina law actually allows. Our job is to cut through those tactics and put the focus back where it belongs: on the owner’s failure to control their dog.

Provocation

The defense will often claim the victim “provoked” the dog in an attempt to escape liability. Legally, provocation requires intentional, physical conduct that would cause an animal to attack. Normal behavior like walking past a dog, making sudden movements, or even speaking loudly doesn’t qualify. We dismantle this defense by locking down witness statements, timelines, and physical evidence to show the attack was unprovoked and entirely preventable.

Assumption of the Risk

This defense usually revolves around warning signs like “Beware of Dog.” To succeed, the insurer must prove the victim saw the sign, understood the danger, and knowingly chose to face it anyway. That’s a high bar to meet. We challenge this tactic by exposing poor signage, unclear warnings, restricted visibility, and the reality that most people don’t consent to being attacked by an animal just by entering a space.

What Are the Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bites?

A dog bite doesn’t just leave physical wounds: it creates financial, emotional, and long-term consequences that insurance companies are quick to minimize. Medical treatment can stretch on for months, infections can lead to unexpected complications, and injuries often change how victims live and work. South Carolina law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of the attack, not just the initial ER visit. Depending on the severity of the injuries, compensation may include:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, medication, and follow-ups
Future medical costs related to complications, infections, or reconstructive procedures
Lost wages from missed work and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering caused by physical injuries and long recovery periods
Emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma following the attack
Permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially to visible areas
Loss of enjoyment of life due to lasting physical or psychological limitations

Steps to Take Immediately After a Dog Bite

What you do in the moments and days after a dog bite can directly affect your health and your ability to recover compensation. Acting quickly helps protect both. If you’ve been bitten, take the following steps as soon as possible:

Seek medical attention, even for wounds that appear minor
Clean and document the injury as directed by medical professionals
Identify the dog and its owner, if possible
Report the incident to local animal control or law enforcement
Photograph injuries, torn clothing, and the location of the attack
Gather contact information from any witnesses
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies
Preserve medical records, bills, and follow-up instructions
Contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Charleston to protect your rights

Why Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Charleston

Dog bite cases may look simple, but insurance companies work hard to complicate them. A skilled dog bite lawyer in Charleston knows how to prove liability, shut down blame-shifting tactics, and calculate the full value of your injuries, including future medical care and scarring. Without legal pressure, insurers often rush victims into low settlements that barely account for their immediate medical needs. Hiring an experienced dog bite injury attorney in Charleston puts the burden back where it belongs and ensures your case is built to win, not just close.

Dog Bites Frequently Asked Questions

What if the dog had never bitten anyone before?

In South Carolina, it doesn’t matter. The state follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, meaning the owner can be held responsible even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. If you were lawfully on public or private property and the dog attacked you, the owner’s lack of “warning signs” doesn’t get them off the hook.

What if the bite happened on private property?

Dog bite claims aren’t limited to public places. If you were legally on someone’s property, such as a guest, delivery driver, or service worker, the owner may still be held liable. Trespassing can change the analysis, but insurance companies often misuse that argument. We look closely at why you were there and whether the law actually supports their claim.

What if the dog belonged to a friend or family member?

This is more common than people expect. In most cases, the claim is against the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not your loved one personally. Insurance companies rely on guilting victims and their hesitation to avoid paying. We keep the focus where it belongs: on the insurance policy that exists to cover exactly this situation.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in South Carolina?

Most dog bite injury claims fall under South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations. Waiting too long can weaken evidence and give insurers leverage. Early action allows us to preserve records, interview witnesses, and lock in facts before they get rewritten by the defense.

Dog Bite Attorney in Charleston

Force Accountability After an Attack