Dog Bite Attorney in Charleston

The steps you take right after a dog bite can protect both your health and your legal claim.

• Get medical care immediately. Even minor-looking wounds can lead to infection, nerve damage, or scarring.
• Identify the dog and its owner. Obtain their name, contact information, and, if possible, proof of rabies vaccination.
• Report the bite. Contact Charleston Animal Control or local law enforcement to ensure an official record is maintained.
• Document everything. Take photos of the wound, your clothing, the scene, and the dog if it’s safe.
• Avoid discussing fault or accepting blame until you’ve spoken to an attorney.

When you call Morgan & Morgan, we can take it from there: preserving evidence, tracking down insurance coverage, and making sure your rights are protected from day one.

West Virginia follows a modified “one-bite” rule combined with negligence principles. In simple terms:

• If a dog has bitten someone before or the owner knew the animal was dangerous, the owner can be held strictly liable.
• Even if the dog had no history of aggression, owners can still be held responsible if their carelessness led to the bite, like letting a dog run loose or ignoring leash laws.

In Charleston, leash ordinances prohibit dogs from roaming freely. That means even a first bite can trigger liability if the owner violated local safety rules.

Responsibility often starts with the dog’s owner, but liability can extend beyond them. Property owners, landlords, or businesses may also share fault if they failed to control or warn about a dangerous dog on the premises.

If the bite happened while you were on the job, for instance, delivering packages or repairing equipment, you could have both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury claim. Our Charleston attorneys coordinate both avenues to maximize your recovery.

Yes. Even a “friendly” dog can cause serious harm, and owners have a duty to prevent injuries. West Virginia law doesn’t give dog owners a free pass simply because it’s a first incident. If the owner’s negligence, such as failing to use a leash or ignoring warning signs, led to your injuries, you may still have a valid claim.

Strong evidence tells the full story of what happened and its impact on you. We often rely on:

• Medical records showing the extent of your injuries and treatment
• Photos or videos of the scene and the dog
• Witness statements confirming the attack or lack of restraint
• Animal control or police reports documenting the incident
• Employment records showing missed work or lost wages
• Expert testimony about long-term scarring, PTSD, or disability

Our legal team handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing.

Every case is different, but settlements often reflect several categories of damages:

• Medical expenses: hospital visits, surgeries, infection treatment, or reconstructive procedures
• Lost wages and earning capacity: if your injuries force you to miss work or change careers
• Pain and suffering: physical pain, anxiety, and long-term trauma
• Scarring and disfigurement: especially in visible areas like the face or hands
• Emotional distress: PTSD, fear of dogs, or depression following the attack

Serious cases, particularly those involving children or permanent disfigurement, often result in significant compensation.

West Virginia law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action after a dog bite, so it’s important not to wait. Acting promptly can make all the difference; evidence can disappear, witnesses may become harder to reach, and medical documentation can be more difficult to obtain as time passes.

The sooner you get an attorney involved, the better your chances of preserving key details and building a strong case for full compensation. Morgan & Morgan’s Charleston team can move quickly to file your claim and protect your right to recovery.

Dog bites are surprisingly common among postal workers, delivery drivers, and in-home service professionals. If you were on the clock when it happened, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, even if the dog’s owner was someone outside your company.

Our team will help you pursue both:

• Workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment and lost wages, and
• A third-party liability claim against the dog’s owner for additional damages like pain and suffering.

We fight to make sure no benefit is left on the table.

Dog bites can cause more than surface wounds. Victims often experience:

• Deep punctures or torn tissue requiring stitches or surgery
• Infections from bacteria introduced through the bite
• Nerve damage leading to numbness or chronic pain
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma or PTSD, especially after unprovoked attacks

We collaborate with doctors, plastic surgeons, and trauma specialists to reveal the full extent of your suffering, both visible and invisible.

Each case starts with a full investigation. We gather medical evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts to establish the dog owner’s responsibility. Then we build your claim to reflect the true cost of recovery, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, and emotional impact.

Because we handle more injury claims than any other firm in America, we have access to powerful resources: medical experts, forensic specialists, and technology that smaller firms can’t match.

Our goal is straightforward: to ensure you never have to face insurers, landlords, or property owners alone.

Even so-called “minor” bites can lead to costly medical treatment or long-term complications, such as infection or scarring. Insurance companies often downplay or deny coverage for these injuries. A lawyer can help ensure that every bill, follow-up appointment, and scar revision is included in your claim.

And since Morgan & Morgan works on a contingency fee, you pay nothing up front. The Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

Many dog bite claims are paid through homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. Some also fall under commercial policies if the attack happened on business property. We identify every available source of coverage to ensure full recovery, even when multiple parties share fault.

Not every case goes to court. In fact, most dog bite claims are resolved through insurance negotiations. Our attorneys often reach fair settlements directly with insurers, without the stress of a trial, while still preparing every case as if it might go to court.

That approach maintains pressure and maximizes your leverage.

We’ve seen how devastating dog attacks can be, especially when the victim is a child or working professional. Our Charleston dog bite lawyers fight relentlessly for accountability and full compensation, no matter how big the insurance company or property owner on the other side.

With offices nationwide and a local presence in Charleston, we bring the full force of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm to every case. You’ll never pay out of pocket, and your first consultation is free.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Charleston, WV, don’t wait. Fill out our free, no-obligation case evaluation today and let Morgan & Morgan fight for the justice and peace of mind you deserve.