Dog attacks can cause sudden injuries that may last for months, even though the bite itself is quick. The puncture wounds, the risk of infection, and emergency room visits can follow you for months. If a dog attacked you or your child in Greenwood, you shouldn’t handle medical bills and insurance issues alone. At McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy, we have 30 years of experience helping injured individuals across South Carolina hold negligent dog owners accountable. Call 866-MCCRAVY for a free consultation. You won’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
What Makes McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy Different for Greenwood Clients
A dog bite claim can feel personal, especially when the dog belongs to a neighbor, friend, or relative. You need a law firm that handles your case with care and honesty. Here’s what sets us apart.
30 years of experience close to home
We’ve represented injured individuals throughout South Carolina for three decades. Our Greenwood office sits at 1629 Highway 72 NE, so you’re working with a team that knows the local courts, the community, and how these claims tend to play out here. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, and every case is different, but our experience helps us anticipate what insurance companies will do.
An ethical, straightforward approach
We believe in doing right by our clients. That means honest answers about your case, clear explanations of your options, and no pressure. We’ll tell you what we think your claim is worth and why, even when it’s not what you were hoping to hear.
Seven offices and no upfront cost
With seven offices across South Carolina, including one right here in Greenwood, help is never far away. Your consultation is free, and we work on a contingency-fee basis. That means no fee unless we win compensation for you.
Call 866-MCCRAVY today to talk through what happened. There’s no obligation.
Common Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Greenwood
Dog attacks happen in all kinds of everyday situations. Many of the cases we see in Greenwood County involve dogs that got loose or weren’t properly restrained.
Common fact patterns include:
– Bites during a walk or jog through a neighborhood or along busier corridors, such as US-25 and SC-72, where loose dogs sometimes roam
– Attacks on children visiting a relative’s or friend’s home
– Bites to delivery drivers, mail carriers, and meter readers doing their jobs
– Attacks in rural parts of Greenwood County, where dogs are left unchained
– Injuries to other pet owners when an aggressive dog lunges during a walk
Children are especially vulnerable. Because they’re smaller and often at face level with a dog, kids frequently suffer bites to the head, face, and neck. Many of these injuries require treatment at Self Regional Healthcare and can leave lasting scars that need follow-up surgery.
South Carolina Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know
You don’t need a law degree to understand your rights, but a few key rules make a big difference in these cases. We’ll walk you through it in plain language during your consultation.
South Carolina is a strict liability state
Some states follow a “one bite rule,” which can let owners off the hook if their dog has never bitten anyone before. South Carolina is different. Under the state’s dog bite statute, S.C. Code Ann. § 47-3-110, the owner of a dog is liable for the damages suffered by a person who is bitten or otherwise attacked while in a public place or lawfully in a private place. In these situations, the dog owner is strictly liable, which usually means you don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
There are exceptions. The statute does not apply if the person who was attacked 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 under specific conditions.
Comparative negligence and the 50% bar
South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence. If you were partly at fault, for example, by teasing the dog, your compensation can be reduced by your share of the blame. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. This is exactly why insurance companies try to argue you provoked the dog, and it’s why having a lawyer matters.
You generally have three years to file
Under South Carolina law, the statute of limitations for an action for any injury to the person is three years. That clock generally starts on the date of the attack. Delay hurts your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the dog owner’s insurer uses delay against you. Call 866-MCCRAVY as soon as you can.
Our process: How We Handle Your Greenwood Dog Bite Claim
While you focus on your recovery, we handle the legal work. Here’s what working with us looks like.
Step 1: Free consultation
You tell us what happened. We listen, answer your questions, and give you an honest read on whether you have a case. There’s no cost and no pressure.
Step 2: Investigation
We gather the evidence: medical records from Self Regional Healthcare or your treating doctors, the Animal Control report, photos of your injuries, and witness statements. We identify the dog owner and locate any applicable insurance coverage, often through a homeowners or renters policy.
Step 3: Negotiation and resolution
We deal with the insurance company, so you don’t have to. Most dog bite claims settle out of court. If the insurer won’t offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to file suit at the Greenwood County Courthouse and take your case before a jury.
What You Can Recover After a Dog Bite
Compensation, often called damages, is meant to make you whole after someone else’s negligence. The amount depends on the facts of your case, but a dog bite claim may include money for:
– Medical bills, including emergency care, surgery, and infection or rabies treatment
– Future medical costs, such as scar revision or reconstructive surgery
– Lost wages if you missed work while recovering
– Pain and suffering from the physical injury
– Emotional distress, including the anxiety many individuals feel around dogs after an attack
– Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Children often have claims for long-term scarring and emotional trauma. We take the time to understand the full impact of the attack, not just today’s bills. Want to know what your case could be worth? Call 866-MCCRAVY for a free evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenwood Dog Bite Claims
How much does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. That lets you focus on healing instead of legal bills.
What should I do after a dog bite in Greenwood?
See a doctor first, even when the wound appears minor, since dog bites carry a serious risk of infection. Report the bite to Greenwood County or city Animal Control, identify the dog’s owner if you can, and photograph your injuries. Then call a lawyer before you talk to the insurance company.
What if a friend’s or neighbor’s dog bit me?
You can still pursue a claim, and it usually doesn’t mean suing your friend personally. Compensation typically comes from the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, not their own pocket. We handle these sensitive situations with care.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in South Carolina?
Generally, three years from the date of the attack. Some exceptions apply, especially when a child is hurt, so it’s best to speak with a lawyer early to protect your rights.
What if the insurance company says my child provoked the dog?
This is a common tactic. Because South Carolina uses the 50% bar rule, insurers try to shift blame to reduce or deny your claim. We build cases that anticipate those arguments and push back with evidence.
Do you handle dog bite cases in Greenwood?
Yes. Our office is at 1629 Highway 72 NE in Greenwood, and we represent injured individuals throughout Greenwood County and across South Carolina as part of our broader personal injury practice.
Talk to a Greenwood Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Being bitten was never your fault, and the cost of another person’s carelessness shouldn’t land on you. The team at McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy is ready to listen, explain your options, and handle the legal work while you focus on getting better. Call 866-MCCRAVY now for your free consultation. No fee unless we win. No pressure, just honest guidance from a firm that’s served South Carolina for 30 years.