What Is a Dog Bite Case?
Dog bite attacks can cause severe physical injuries, lasting emotional trauma, and overwhelming medical bills. If you or a family member has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Georgia or South Carolina, our attorneys can help you hold the animal's owner accountable and recover full compensation for your injuries — at no cost to you unless we win.
— Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law
Key Takeaways
A dog bite claim must be filed within two years in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) and within three years in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). Report the bite to animal control that day; the report records the dog, its owner and any earlier complaints. Payment usually comes from the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, and what a landlord knew about the dog is worth checking. Facial bites can leave scars that need years of treatment. In a negligence claim, a Georgia victim found 50% or more at fault cannot recover (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33); a South Carolina victim can recover at 50% or less (Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co.). Roden Law handles dog bite claims on contingency and provides a free consultation at its offices in Georgia and South Carolina.
Why Hire Dog Bite Lawyers?
Dog bite laws differ significantly between Georgia and South Carolina, and understanding which legal standard applies to your case is critical to maximizing your recovery. Georgia follows a modified “one bite” rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, which requires showing that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous — but also allows liability if the dog was not properly restrained as required by local leash laws. South Carolina applies a strict liability standard under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, meaning the owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had shown prior aggressive behavior.
Insurance companies representing dog owners often argue that the victim provoked the animal, trespassed on private property, or that the owner had no knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies. These defenses can significantly reduce or eliminate your compensation if not properly countered with evidence and legal strategy.
At Roden Law, we investigate every aspect of a dog bite case — from animal control records and prior bite history to homeowner’s insurance policies and local ordinance violations. We build strong cases that overcome owner defenses and secure the compensation our clients need for medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, and emotional recovery.
At Roden Law, our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous victims secure millions in compensation across Georgia and South Carolina. We provide all potential clients with a free, no-obligation review of their claim and do not charge upfront legal fees.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
- Get medical attention — bite wounds infect. Puncture wounds close over bacteria and often need irrigation and antibiotics. Facial bites and any bite to a child warrant immediate care.
- Identify the owner and get the dog's vaccination records. Name, address, and insurance if they will give it. Rabies vaccination status determines whether you face a post-exposure treatment decision, and it needs answering today.
- Report the bite to animal control. This is the step people skip because they do not want the dog harmed. It also creates the official record — and the history of prior complaints that often decides the case.
- Note whether the dog was loose, and photograph where it happened. In Georgia, showing the dog was off-leash in violation of a local leash or restraint ordinance can establish liability without proving the dog had ever bitten before (O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7). South Carolina imposes liability on the owner regardless of the dog's history (S.C. Code § 47-3-110).
- Photograph the wounds as they heal, not just today. Bite injuries scar, and scarring is a large part of the claim — particularly for children. Photograph on a consistent background at regular intervals.
- Ask around about the dog's history. Neighbors frequently know about earlier snaps, lunges, or complaints that never reached animal control. That knowledge is evidence.
- Do not let the owner talk you out of a claim as a favor. These claims are usually paid by homeowner's or renter's insurance, not out of the owner's pocket — which is exactly what that coverage exists for. Roden Law offers free consultations.
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle
Georgia vs. South Carolina Dog Bite Laws
If you were injured in Georgia or South Carolina, the laws governing your dog bite claim differ by state. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the key legal rules that affect your case.
| Legal Rule | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of Limitations | 2 years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) | 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530) |
| Comparative Fault Rule | Modified — recover if less than 50% at fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) | Modified — recover if 50% or less at fault (Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co., 1991) |
| Compensatory Damages Cap | No cap, except some claims against government (e.g., O.C.G.A. § 50-21-29) | No general cap; capped in medical malpractice and against government or charities (S.C. Code §§ 15-32-220, 15-78-120, 33-56-180) |
| Punitive Damages Cap | $250,000 in most cases; no cap for product liability, intent to harm, or impairment (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1) | Greater of 3x compensatory or $739,245 (2026; adjusted yearly), with exceptions (S.C. Code § 15-32-530) |
| Filing Court | Superior or State Court, any amount; Magistrate Court up to $15,000 (O.C.G.A. § 15-10-2) | Circuit Court (Common Pleas), any amount; Magistrate Court up to $7,500 (S.C. Code § 22-3-10) |
Sources: Georgia and South Carolina statutes and court decisions, as cited in each row.
How an injury claim works in Georgia and South Carolina — the four elements of negligence, the damages you can recover, filing deadlines and comparative fault — is explained in full on our personal injury lawyers page.
Common Causes of Dog Bite Cases
- Owners failing to leash or restrain their dogs
- Dogs escaping from yards or enclosures
- Owners ignoring known aggressive behavior
- Failure to properly socialize or train dogs
- Provoking or startling an unfamiliar dog
- Negligent supervision around children
- Dogs running at large in violation of local ordinances
- Landlords allowing dangerous dogs on rental properties
- Failure to warn visitors of a dog on premises
- Chained or confined dogs becoming aggressive
- Owners failing to muzzle known dangerous breeds
- Dog-on-dog aggression injuring intervening owners
Common Injuries in Dog Bite Cases
Dog bites frequently cause deep puncture wounds and jagged lacerations that damage skin, muscle, and underlying tissue. These wounds often require emergency room treatment, sutures, and carry a high risk of infection.
Children are especially vulnerable to dog bites to the face, head, and neck. These injuries can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and may require multiple reconstructive surgeries over the course of years.
Dog bites introduce bacteria deep into tissue, leading to infections such as cellulitis, MRSA, pasteurella, and in rare cases rabies. Infected wounds may require IV antibiotics, surgical debridement, and hospitalization.
Deep bites can sever or damage nerves in the hands, arms, and face, resulting in numbness, tingling, loss of grip strength, or facial paralysis that may be permanent even with surgical intervention.
Dog attacks frequently leave permanent scars, particularly on the face, arms, and legs. Victims may require scar revision surgery, laser treatments, or skin grafts, and may suffer lasting emotional distress from visible disfigurement.
Large dogs can exert hundreds of pounds of bite pressure, enough to fracture bones in the hands, fingers, arms, and legs. Knockdown attacks can also cause fractures from the fall impact, particularly in children and elderly victims.
Dog attack victims — especially children — frequently develop PTSD, anxiety disorders, cynophobia (fear of dogs), nightmares, and difficulty leaving their home. These psychological injuries are compensable and may require years of therapy.
Powerful dog bites can tear tendons, ligaments, and muscle tissue, particularly in the hands and forearms. Surgical repair and extensive physical therapy are often required, and full function may never be restored.
Roden Law Dog Bite Lawyers Results at a Glance
| $300M+ | Recovered for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina |
|---|---|
| 4.9 / 5.0 | Average client rating across 170+ verified Google reviews from our six offices |
| 5,000+ | Cases successfully handled since 2013 |
| 62 years | Combined attorney experience across 6 office locations |
Source: Roden Law firm records and verified Google Business Profile reviews, updated August 2026.
Recent Dog Bite Case Results
Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
About the Author
Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO — Licensed in South Carolina
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If you were injured and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. We dedicate our skills and resources to recovering the maximum compensation you deserve — at no upfront cost.