When a dog attack leaves you or your child with serious injuries, the physical trauma is just the beginning. Columbia, South Carolina families face devastating medical bills, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime after vicious animal attacks.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Animal Attack Victims
South Carolina's strict liability laws hold dog owners responsible for their pets' aggressive behavior, but insurance companies fight aggressively to minimize settlements while victims struggle with ongoing medical treatment and emotional recovery. Don't let negligent pet owners and their insurance companies deny you the compensation your family deserves.
Matthew McGuire has spent over 30 years helping Columbia residents secure maximum compensation for dog bite injuries, understanding how these cases require immediate action to preserve evidence, document injuries, and hold negligent pet owners accountable before crucial evidence disappears or witnesses forget vital details.
When animal attacks cause devastating injuries, our comprehensive legal experience provides Columbia families with the specialized knowledge needed to navigate complex liability claims, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve.
We have recovered millions of dollars for injury victims across South Carolina, including dog bite victims who suffered severe lacerations, permanent scarring, and traumatic injuries requiring extensive medical care.
Complex animal attack cases require detailed medical documentation. We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries, including plastic surgery needs, psychological trauma, and long-term care requirements.
Decades of experience battling homeowner's insurance companies and their tactics. We know their strategies to minimize dog bite claims and how to counter them to get you fair compensation.
Successfully represented clients in cases involving inadequate containment, fence failures, and property owner negligence. We hold negligent dog owners accountable for failing to control dangerous animals.
Compassionate representation for families who have lost loved ones due to fatal animal attacks. We pursue maximum compensation while respecting your grieving process and fighting for accountability.
From dog bites to exotic animal attacks, we provide aggressive representation for all animal-related injury cases in Columbia and throughout South Carolina.
Puncture wounds, lacerations, and crushing injuries that require emergency treatment at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. We document all injuries and fight for full compensation.
Large dogs cause fall injuries, broken bones, and head trauma without necessarily biting. These attacks can be just as devastating and deserve full compensation.
Pack behavior can cause catastrophic injuries requiring extensive surgical reconstruction. We pursue all responsible parties including owners and property managers.
Dogs escaping yards or breaking restraints to attack victims on public sidewalks or neighboring properties. We challenge inadequate containment and security measures.
Attacks in Columbia parks, Riverfront areas, and residential neighborhoods where uncontrolled dogs attack joggers, cyclists, or pedestrians violating local ordinances.
Attacks at playgrounds, schools, or daycare facilities where inadequate supervision allows dangerous dogs access to vulnerable children. We fight aggressively for young victims.
Dangerous pets like reptiles, large cats, or aggressive livestock that owners keep illegally or negligently. We hold owners accountable for keeping dangerous animals.
South Carolina's strict liability statute holds dog owners responsible regardless of the animal's prior behavior or owner knowledge of aggression.
Animal attack victims need more than just legal expertise—they need attorneys who understand the physical and emotional trauma these incidents cause. Our core values ensure you receive compassionate, effective representation throughout your recovery.
Our deep understanding of Richland County courts, local animal control procedures, and Columbia neighborhoods gives our animal attack clients a strategic advantage in pursuing maximum compensation.
We're part of the Columbia community and understand how dog attacks affect local families. Our relationships with local medical providers and animal control authorities benefit your case.
Animal attacks cause lasting physical and emotional trauma, especially for children. We provide not just legal expertise but understanding and support throughout your recovery process.
While based in Columbia, we represent animal attack victims across all 46 South Carolina counties. Our willingness to travel demonstrates our commitment to serving all South Carolinians.
Most animal attack cases settle, and strong negotiation skills achieve better results than rushed settlements. We're skilled negotiators who know when to pressure insurance companies and when to proceed to trial.
The first hours after an animal attack are critical for both your health and your legal claim. These steps protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Get immediate medical care even for seemingly minor bites that can develop serious infections or hidden tissue damage. Your health comes first.
Take detailed photographs from multiple angles before medical treatment alters the appearance of wounds. This evidence is crucial for your claim.
Get the dog owner's contact information, insurance details, and veterinary records showing current rabies vaccination status.
File reports with Richland County Animal Control and Columbia Police Department to create official incident documentation.
Collect contact information from anyone who observed the attack and can testify about the dog's aggressive behavior.
Call (888) 499-5738 before giving any statements to insurance companies. We protect your rights from the start.
Animal attack cases require attorneys who understand both the legal complexities of liability claims and the devastating personal impact these injuries cause. Matt McGuire has fought for animal attack victims for over 30 years, knowing how to maximize compensation while supporting families through difficult recoveries.
When you're dealing with medical emergencies and insurance adjusters calling, we're there. Our attorneys are responsive, available 24/7, and committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.
We look beyond the immediate legal question to help you make decisions that address your long-term medical needs, future care requirements, and overall recovery goals.
Our team brings three decades of specialized personal injury experience, giving you confidence that your animal attack case is handled by attorneys who've secured millions for injury victims.
Your case benefits from our collective experience working with medical experts, plastic surgeons, and psychological counselors. We coordinate comprehensive care for complete recovery.
As a Columbia firm, we're invested in the safety of our neighborhoods and the well-being of our neighbors. Your successful recovery strengthens our entire community.
Animal attacks cause multiple categories of damages that deserve full compensation. We fight for every dollar you're entitled to receive.
Child victims often suffer lasting psychological trauma requiring years of counseling. We fight for compensation that covers their complete recovery.
Homeowner's insurance companies use predictable tactics to minimize dog bite settlements. We know their strategies and how to defeat them.
Insurance companies attempt to blame victims for approaching, petting, or somehow provoking the attacking animal. We challenge these unfair accusations aggressively.
Insurers claim coverage doesn't apply to specific dog breeds or animals with bite histories. We fight policy exclusion disputes to secure your compensation.
Insurance companies offer inadequate compensation before victims understand the full extent of their injuries and long-term needs. We prevent premature settlements.
Insurers use biased doctors to minimize injury severity and challenge the need for ongoing medical treatment. We counter with our own medical experts.
Insurance companies attempt to document physical activities that contradict claimed limitations. We prepare clients for these tactics while protecting their claims.
Animal attack victims and their families often have urgent questions about their legal rights and options. Here are answers to the most common concerns we hear from Columbia dog bite victims.
No. South Carolina's strict liability statute holds dog owners responsible for attacks regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone before or whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
You may still have a claim if you were lawfully on the property as a guest, delivery person, or service provider. Trespassers generally cannot recover, but children are often exceptions.
South Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims including dog bites. However, evidence disappears and witnesses forget, so contact us immediately.
We investigate all potential sources of recovery including renter's insurance, umbrella policies, and the owner's personal assets. Many dog owners have coverage they don't realize applies.
Yes. Psychological injuries including PTSD, anxiety, and phobias are compensable damages. We work with child psychologists to document these injuries and project future treatment needs.
Provocation is a defense that insurance companies frequently abuse. Simply being near a dog or even petting it doesn't constitute provocation. We challenge these unfair accusations.
That's a decision for animal control, not the civil lawsuit. Our focus is securing your compensation, though the dog's history becomes evidence of the owner's knowledge of danger.
We handle dog bite cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call for free to discuss your case and understand your options.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't let insurance companies minimize your family's suffering after a serious animal attack. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your dog bite case.
Don't let insurance companies minimize your family's suffering after a serious animal attack – call (888) 499-5738 immediately for aggressive representation that secures maximum compensation. Matt McGuire's three decades of experience fighting for injury victims and 24/7 availability ensure you get the dedicated advocacy needed for full recovery.
