What Is a Dog Bite Lawyers in Columbia, SC Case?

Roden Law represents dog-bite and animal-attack victims across Columbia, South Carolina and the Midlands — Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, Cayce, and Forest Acres. South Carolina is a strict-liability state: a dog owner is liable for a bite or attack even if the dog never showed aggression before. We handle every case on a contingency fee […]

— Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Key Takeaways

If you were injured in a dog bite in Columbia, South Carolina, you generally have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule — you can still recover as long as you are Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no cap on compensatory damages in an ordinary South Carolina injury case. Roden Law represents Columbia injury victims on a contingency fee: the consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win.

Roden Law represents dog-bite and animal-attack victims across Columbia, South Carolina and the Midlands — Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, Cayce, and Forest Acres. South Carolina is a strict-liability state: a dog owner is liable for a bite or attack even if the dog never showed aggression before. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win. Roden Law has recovered more than $300 million for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina and holds a 4.9-star average from hundreds of client reviews. Call (803) 219-2816 for a free, confidential case review.

Why Choose Roden Law for a Columbia Dog Bite Claim

Most dog-bite recoveries come from the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and adjusters routinely argue the victim provoked the animal or was somewhere they should not have been. What separates Roden Law is direct attorney involvement and the investigation needed to defeat those defenses. Our office at 1545 Sumter Street, Suite B sits in the downtown corridor minutes from the Richland County Circuit Court.

  • No fee unless we win — free consultation and no out-of-pocket cost to pursue your claim.
  • We find the coverage — homeowner’s and renter’s policies are the usual source of recovery, and we identify every policy that applies.
  • Full-value focus — dog attacks often cause scarring, nerve damage, and facial injuries to children, and we account for all of it before any settlement.

Dog Attacks in the Columbia Area

Serious animal attacks happen across the Midlands — at homes and rental properties, in apartment complexes, on sidewalks and neighborhood streets, and during visits to a neighbor’s or friend’s property. Children are frequent victims and often suffer facial injuries because of their height relative to the animal. Identifying the responsible owner and the correct homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is often the first and most important step in a Columbia dog-attack case.

South Carolina Dog Bite Law You Should Know

South Carolina is a strict-liability state under S.C. Code § 47-3-110. That means a dog owner (or the person having the dog in their care) is liable for a bite or attack regardless of whether the animal had ever shown viciousness before — there is no “one-bite” rule in South Carolina. The law covers both bites and other attacks. The main exceptions are where the victim provoked the animal or was trespassing or otherwise unlawfully on the property. The deadline to file is generally three years from the date of injury under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, and South Carolina places no cap on compensatory damages in ordinary injury cases. Learn more on our South Carolina dog bite lawyers page.

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What to Do After A dog bite in Columbia, SC

  1. Ensure safety and call 911. Move to a safe location if possible. Call emergency services to report the accident and request medical attention for anyone injured.
  2. Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get examined by a doctor. Some injuries — such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding — may not show symptoms immediately.
  3. Document the scene. Take photos of all vehicles, injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage. Collect names and contact information from witnesses.
  4. Exchange information with all parties. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, license plate number, and driver's license number. Do not admit fault or apologize.
  5. Report the accident to police. South Carolina law requires accident reports when there are injuries or significant property damage. Request a copy of the police report.
  6. Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Provide factual information only — do not speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries.
  7. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, handle communications with insurance companies, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve. Roden Law offers free consultations — call today.

South Carolina Personal Injury Law

Statute of Limitations 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530)
Comparative Fault Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault

Filing a Personal Injury Case in Columbia

Filing a personal injury case in Columbia means working through the Richland County Court of Common Pleas at 1701 Main Street, where civil complaints are submitted electronically through South Carolina’s statewide Tyler Odyssey e-filing system and placed on a 365-day case-management track under SCRCP Rule 40. Most contested cases are sent to mandatory mediation before trial under SC ADR Rule 3.

Crash victims in the Midlands disproportionately come from one place: the I-26/I-20/I-77 interchange known as Malfunction Junction, now in the middle of SCDOT’s $2.08 billion Carolina Crossroads reconstruction — the largest project in agency history — which will keep active work zones on I-26 between Piney Grove Road and I-77 in flux through roughly 2029. Severe-injury crashes from that corridor, from I-77 north toward Blythewood, and from Two Notch and Broad River Roads are routed to Prisma Health Richland, the Midlands’ only Level I trauma center.

South Carolina law gives injured plaintiffs three years to file under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, applies a 51% modified-comparative-fault bar, and allows stacking of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage — a critical lever when a Malfunction Junction pile-up exceeds the at-fault driver’s 25/50/25 minimum policy.

Do I Have a Dog bite Case in Columbia?

South Carolina is a strict-liability state under S.C. Code § 47-3-110 — a dog owner is liable for injuries to a person lawfully on public or private property regardless of the dog’s prior viciousness. No “first bite” required. You have 3 years to file under S.C. Code § 15-3-530.

Types of Compensation in South Carolina Dog bite Cases

Standard tort damages apply — past and future medical expenses, lost wages, scarring and disfigurement, and pain and suffering. Scarring claims are particularly powerful with child plaintiffs and frequently support seven-figure recoveries when the bite is to the face or hands. There are no special damage caps in either South Carolina or its neighboring state for ordinary dog-bite cases. Homeowners’ insurance is the typical funding source, but many policies exclude specific breeds or impose dog-bite sub-limits — coverage analysis is critical and often uncovers landlord, daycare, or commercial-property defendants beyond the dog’s owner.

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Roden Law Dog Bite Lawyers in Columbia, SC Results at a Glance

$300M+ Recovered for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina
4.9 / 5.0 Average client rating across hundreds of verified Google reviews from our six offices
5,000+ Cases successfully handled since 2013
62 years Combined attorney experience across 5 office locations

Source: Roden Law firm records and verified Google Business Profile reviews, updated July 2026.

Recent Case Results

Settlement $27,000,000 $27,000,000 Settlement | Truck Accident
Verdict $10,860,000 $10,860,000 Verdict | Product Liability
Recovery $9,800,000 $9,800,000 Recovery | Premises Liability

Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

About the Author

Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Graeham C. Gillin

Partner, COO

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our Columbia Office Today

If you were injured in Columbia and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. Call (803) 219-2816 — no upfront cost.