South Carolina law
Premises Liability Laws in South Carolina.
South Carolina premises liability follows traditional invitee/licensee/trespasser categories. Landowners owe invitees a duty of reasonable care; licensees a duty to warn of known dangers; trespassers a duty to avoid willful or wanton conduct. South Carolina's modified comparative fault (51% bar) applies. South Carolina has a Recreational Use Immunity statute. South Carolina dog-bite statute (S.C. Code § 47-3-110) imposes strict liability when the dog bites a person lawfully present.
Last verified: 2026-04-17
State law
Statute of Limitations
3-year general personal injury statute applies.
State law
Fault & Liability Rules
Plaintiff's fault reduces recovery proportionally. Plaintiff at 51% or more fault recovers nothing.
State law
Key South Carolina Statutes
Landowners owe invitees a duty of reasonable care, including inspection and warning of dangerous conditions.
Dog owners are strictly liable when the dog bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner's property. No one-bite rule.
Landowners who permit free recreational use owe no duty of care absent willful or malicious conduct.
Trespassers are owed only a duty to avoid willful or wanton injury. Attractive-nuisance doctrine applies to trespassing children.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.
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