A dog bite can change everything in seconds. You might be visiting a neighbor or walking in Greenville when you’re suddenly dealing with puncture wounds, stitches, and the fear that comes with being attacked. It’s more painful if the dog belongs to someone you know. You’re hurt and shaken, and you may feel guilty about holding a friend or family member responsible. We understand. At McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy, we’ve spent 30 years helping injured individuals across South Carolina hold negligent dog owners accountable. Call 866-MCCRAVY for a free consultation. You pay no fee unless we win.
Why Injured Individuals in Greenville Turn to McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy
A dog bite claim sounds simple until you’re in the middle of one. The insurance company starts asking questions, the owner downplays what happened, and you’re left wondering if pursuing a claim is even worth it. Here’s why Greenville families trust us with these cases.
30 years of South Carolina injury experience
We’ve handled personal injury claims across South Carolina for three decades. That experience means we know how dog bite claims work, how homeowners’ insurers defend them, and what it takes to build a case that holds up.
An honest, ethical approach
We built this firm on doing right by our clients. We’ll give you a straight answer about your case, even when it isn’t what you hoped to hear. No pressure and no inflated promises, just clear guidance from people who take their professional responsibility seriously.
A local office with statewide reach
Our Greenville office sits at 2 Butternut Drive, and we’re one of seven offices across South Carolina. You receive a firm that knows Greenville County and has the resources to take on insurance companies anywhere in the state.
Call 866-MCCRAVY today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
The Greenville Dog Bite Cases We See Most Often
Dog attacks happen in ordinary places and ordinary moments. Many of our clients never saw it coming. These are the situations we see most often.
Bites at a friend’s, neighbor’s, or relative’s home
Most dog bites involve a dog that the injured person already knows. You’re a guest at a cookout, dropping something off next door, or visiting family when the dog suddenly lunges. A claim in these cases is almost always paid by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of your friend’s pocket.
Children hurt by dogs
Kids are bitten more than any other group, and their injuries are often to the face, head, and neck. These attacks can leave lasting scars and deep emotional trauma. We handle these cases with the care they demand.
Workers and delivery drivers
Mail carriers, package couriers, meter readers, and other workers are bitten on the job all over Greenville. When an owner fails to secure their animal, the worker who was simply doing their job shouldn’t carry the cost.
Attacks in public spaces
Owners who lose their grip on a leash or never use one at all account for many bites on sidewalks, in parks, and along walking trails. The most severe of these wounds are frequently treated at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, the region’s Level I trauma center.
Call 866-MCCRAVY to tell us what happened. Your consultation is free.
South Carolina’s Dog Bite Law and Your Right to Recover
South Carolina law strongly favors people injured by dogs, and that’s the heart of these cases.
Strict liability puts the law on your side
Under the South Carolina dog bite statute S.C. Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner is liable for damages when their dog bites or attacks someone who is in a public place or is lawfully in a private place, including the owner’s own property. This is “strict liability.” The statute imposes strict liability on dog owners when the injured person is lawfully on the property, except when the injured person provokes the dog. In plain terms, you don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. South Carolina has no “one free bite” rule.
When an owner might not be liable
The law includes exceptions. An owner generally isn’t liable if the injured person provoked or harassed the dog and that provocation was the proximate cause of the attack, or if the dog was working in a law enforcement capacity and performing its official duties. Insurers often rely on the provocation argument, which is why these claims warrant careful handling.
Comparative fault and the filing deadline
South Carolina uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. You can still recover as long as you’re less than 51% at fault, though your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame. You generally have three years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit under the state’s statute of limitations, which requires actions for injury to a person to be commenced within three years S.C. Code § 15-3-530. Miss that window, and you can lose your right to recover entirely. Dog bite suits in this area are filed through the Greenville County Courthouse.
How our Dog Bite Claims Process Works
We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing. Here’s what working with us looks like.
Free consultation
It starts with a conversation. You tell us what happened, we answer your questions, and we tell you honestly whether you have a case. There’s no cost and no obligation.
Investigation
We identify the dog’s owner, locate the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, gather your medical records, and track down animal control reports, witness accounts, and photos that support your claim.
Negotiation and, if needed, trial
We handle the insurance company so you don’t have to. Most dog bite claims settle, but if the insurer won’t offer what your case is worth, we’re prepared to file suit and take it to court.
What You Can Recover After a Greenville Dog Bite
Compensation in a dog bite case is meant to cover everything the attack costs you, now and going forward. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover money for several kinds of losses.
Medical and future care costs
This includes emergency treatment, surgery, antibiotics, follow-up visits, and reconstructive or plastic surgery. Bite wounds often need care long after the initial injury, and those future medical costs matter.
Lost income and reduced earning ability
If your injuries kept you out of work or limited what you can do going forward, those lost wages are part of your claim.
Pain, suffering, and emotional harm
Dog attacks leave more than physical wounds. Scarring, disfigurement, anxiety, and the fear of dogs can follow you for years. South Carolina law lets you seek compensation for that pain and emotional distress, too.
With 30 years of experience, we know how to document these losses and push for full value. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different. Call 866-MCCRAVY to find out what your case could be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenville Dog Bite Claims
How much does it cost to hire a Greenville dog bite lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is always free, so there’s no risk in finding out where you stand.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in South Carolina?
You generally have three years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. Waiting hurts your case, though. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the owner’s insurer uses delay against you, so it’s smart to call as soon as you can.
What if the dog’s owner says I provoked it?
South Carolina’s dog bite law doesn’t apply if you provoked or harassed the dog, and that was the cause of the attack. Even if the owner claims you were partly at fault, you can still recover as long as you were less than 51% responsible, with your compensation reduced by your share. These arguments are common, which is exactly why having a lawyer matters.
Do I have a case if it was a friend’s or family member’s dog?
Often, yes, and pursuing it usually doesn’t cost your loved one personally. Dog bite claims are typically paid by homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. You can hold the policy accountable without going after your friend’s savings.
What should I do after a dog bite in Greenville?
Get to a doctor right away, even if the wound seems small, because bite injuries become infected easily. Then report the bite to the county animal control office, obtain the owner’s information, photograph your injuries, and keep your records. Call us before you talk to the insurance company.
Do you handle dog bite cases throughout the Greenville area?
Yes. Our Greenville office is at 2 Butternut Drive, and we represent injured individuals across Greenville County and the surrounding Upstate. With seven offices across South Carolina, help is never far away.
Talk to a Greenville Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Being attacked wasn’t your choice, and shouldering the medical bills, the insurance calls, and the long recovery shouldn’t fall to you alone. McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy brings 30 years of experience and a straightforward, ethical approach to every case we take. Let us handle the legal side so you can focus on getting better. Call 866-MCCRAVY now for your free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.