In Need of Dog Bite Lawyers?
A dog attack is both a medical emergency and a legal crisis. The physical wounds can be severe, the risk of infection is real, and the emotional impact often lingers long after stitches come out.
In a destination city like Myrtle Beach, where residents, tourists, and pets crowd beaches, boardwalks, parks, hotels, and short-term rentals, a single lapse in control can cause life-changing harm. In the most recent statistics, South Carolina agencies recorded a high volume of animal bite investigations statewide, and national insurers reported paying well over a billion dollars each year on dog bite and dog-related injury claims.
At David W. Martin Law Group, we help victims turn a chaotic event into a clear plan that protects health, privacy, and full compensation, starting with a free consultation.
Why Dog Bites Happen in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach streets and walkways are busy year-round, with seasonal surges that amplify risk. Pet-friendly rentals bring unfamiliar dogs into close contact with children and guests, hotel corridors and elevators create tight spaces, and popular corridors like Ocean Boulevard, Kings Highway, and the paths around Broadway at the Beach funnel people and pets into the same crowded areas.
Visitors may not know leash rules or local customs, and property managers do not consistently enforce the policies listed. In this environment, a startled bark or an unlocked gate can become a serious bite, a knock-down injury, or a facial attack that scars for life. Understanding these patterns allows us to identify who had control, who had notice of the risk, and who should be held financially responsible.
South Carolina Dog Bite Law Explained
South Carolina’s dog bite statute is victim-friendly. If a dog bites you in a public place or while you are lawfully on private property, the owner is strictly liable for your injuries.
Strict liability means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. There are limited defenses, such as trespass or provocation, and special rules for police and military dogs acting within policy. Beyond the statute, people who keep, harbor, or control the dog can be liable under negligence principles when they ignore known risks or violate safety rules.
In practical terms, a victim who is walking on a sidewalk, delivering a package, visiting a store, staying at a short-term rental, or invited to a home often has a valid claim even if the dog never bit anyone before.
Common Injuries and Why They Matter to Your Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Claim
Dog bites are not just punctures. Victims can suffer crush injuries, tendon and nerve damage, infections, fractures from being knocked down, and eye or facial trauma. In the most recent national data, children make up a significant share of emergency room visits for dog bites, and facial injuries are disproportionately common.
Adults often face scarring on their legs and hands, reduced grip strength, and long periods of limited activity. Psychological harm is equally real, with anxiety, sleep disruption, and avoidance of public spaces. Thorough documentation of these physical and emotional impacts supports claims for medical bills, future care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Who Can Be Held Financially Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries in Myrtle Beach?
Dog bite cases in Myrtle Beach often involve more than one responsible party. Downtown storefronts, beachfront rentals, and condominium common areas all add layers of potential liability.
Sorting this out early ensures you are not limited to a single policy with insufficient limits and includes the following parties:
- Owner or Keeper. The primary target is under strict liability and negligence.
- Landlord, HOA, or Property Manager. Liability may arise when they knew about a dangerous dog, failed to enforce leash or muzzle rules, or allowed broken gates and latches to persist.
- Short-Term Rental Host or Platform-Managed Property. Pet policies that are not enforced, prior complaints, or failure to warn guests can support liability.
- Businesses and Event Operators. Venues that allow dogs may be responsible for inadequate supervision, signage, or crowd management.
Insurance Paths That May Cover Your Dog Bite Damages in South Carolina
Most recoveries come from insurance, not a person’s pocket. Multiple coverages can apply, especially in resort settings.
A single incident can trigger homeowners’ or renters’ insurance for the dog owner, commercial general liability for a business or venue, and master policies for an HOA or condominium association. Some policies include medical payments coverage that pays early medical bills regardless of fault, while others exclude certain breeds or unvaccinated animals. High-impact cases may also reach umbrella policies with larger limits. Our team confirms all coverage, challenges unfair denials, and stacks policies where the law allows, so you are not underpaid.
That may include:
- Homeowners’ or Renters’ Insurance for owners and keepers.
- Commercial General Liability for stores, restaurants, and event spaces.
- Landlord, HOA, or Condo Policies for common-area failures.
- Umbrella Coverage when injuries and scarring are severe.
Damages You Can Pursue After a Myrtle Beach Dog Bite
A fair settlement reflects the full scope of harm, not just the urgent care bill. Dog bite victims frequently face months of wound care, therapy, and scar management, along with missed work and lifestyle changes.
In the most recent statistics, national claim totals exceeded one billion dollars, which reflects how costly these injuries can be when you account for medical care and long-term effects.
The most common damages pursued during a Myrtle Beach dog bite claim include:
- Medical Expenses and Future Care. Emergency treatment, antibiotics, wound care, plastics or reconstructive procedures, scar revision, compression therapy, and counseling.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity. Time off, reduced hours, job changes due to functional limits or visible scarring, and long-term restrictions.
- Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress. Anxiety in public spaces, sleep issues, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Scarring and Disfigurement. Particularly important with facial injuries and keloid formation.
- Out-Of-Pocket Costs. Dressings, medications, travel to appointments, child care, and home help during recovery.
How David W. Martin Law Group Helps Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Victims
You deserve a team that believes you, protects your privacy, and knows how to navigate insurance and property-owner defenses. From the first call, we listen to your goals, map a medical and legal strategy, and begin preserving evidence. We identify every responsible party and policy, manage communications with insurers and defense counsel, and negotiate to match your medical recovery rather than an adjuster’s calendar. If the other side refuses to be reasonable, we file suit and prepare to present your case to a jury. Our focus never changes. Protect your health, tell your story clearly, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.
Speak With Our Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Lawyers Today
You should not carry the cost of a preventable attack. Call (803) 548-2468 to schedule a consultation with the Horry County dog bite attorneys at David W. Martin Law Group. We will explain your rights, outline a plan, and pursue the financial recovery you deserve so you can move forward with confidence.
