On May 1, 2020, a tragic alligator attack on Kiawah Island, South Carolina claimed the life of 57-year-old Cynthia Covert. The incident occurred at a private residence on Salt Cedar Lane. Witnesses watched as the alligator pulled Covert under the water, taking her life.
The Fatal Encounter with a Massive Gator on Kiawah Island
Covert, a nail technician, was visiting a friend and client's home when she became fascinated by a 10-foot alligator she noticed in the pond behind the property. After working on her friend's nails, Covert approached the water's edge because she wanted to photograph the massive reptile, which was later estimated to be 400-500 pounds. Despite urgent warnings from her friend and the friend's husband to stay back, Covert reportedly moved closer.
The alligator attacked when Covert got too close, latching onto her left leg and dragging the 5-foot, 100-pound woman into the water. Neighbors rushed to help when they realized she was being attacked, throwing her a rope in a desperate rescue attempt. Witnesses reported that Covert remained remarkably calm under the circumstances, even saying "I guess I won't do this again" as they tried to pull her to safety.
Tragically, the alligator began to twist with her leg in its mouth, sometimes called a “death roll.” This caused Covert to lose her grip on the rope, and the alligator pulled her under the water the water. Witnesses stated that she never screamed or panicked during the attack.
First responders reportedly arrived shortly after the alligator pulled Covert under the water, but it took 10-15 minutes before her body surfaced across the pond. The alligator was still gripping her leg.
When the alligator resurfaced again with her body, a deputy fired multiple shots from his service pistol, killing the animal and allowing recovery of Covert's body. The Charleston County Coroner's Office ruled her death accidental, caused by drowning.
Property Owner Liability for Alligator Attacks in SC
While Covert's actions contributed to this tragedy, property owners in South Carolina must understand their potential liability when alligators inhabit their land. The fact that this alligator had reportedly lived in the pond for 20 years and had allegedly killed a deer in plain sight raises critical questions about whether adequate safety measures were in place.
Under South Carolina premises liability law, property owners owe varying duties of care depending on the visitor's status. For invitees—including clients visiting for business purposes—property owners must maintain reasonably safe conditions and warn of known dangers. Alligators are a known danger, and property owners and managers should spot them and remove them when they reach a dangerous size.
Here, the alligator was reportedly around 10 feet long, and witnesses had spotted it many times over the years. Additionally, witnesses knew the alligator had attacked wildlife in the area. One could make a strong argument that it should have been removed and that it was certainly foreseeable that someone could get hurt if it didn’t.
When Property Owners May Be Held Liable Under South Carolina Law
Property owners and HOAs can face liability for alligator attacks when they fail to address known risks. Key factors that establish liability include:
Failure to Warn
Failing to post adequate warning signs around water features where alligators are present represents a fundamental breach of duty. In this case, the homeowners knew the alligator had killed a deer just one week before Covert's death, establishing clear knowledge of the danger.
Failure to Remove
Property owners and communities that allow large alligators to remain on their property without taking protective measures may be putting residents and visitors at unnecessary risk. When an alligator attacks someone, victims and their families may be able to hold these entities liable for negligence. South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources operates a depredation permit program allowing removal of nuisance alligators four feet or larger. Failure to utilize this program when dangerous alligators are present can constitute negligence.
Failure in Property Design
Additionally, inadequate barriers, poor lighting around water features, and failure to maintain safe distances between walkways and alligator habitats all contribute to liability exposure. The pattern of fatal attacks in South Carolina—all occurring since 2016, with two in Charleston County alone—demonstrates that alligator encounters in residential areas are an escalating safety concern requiring proactive management.
Failure to Do What’s Promised
Many property owners’ associations and HOAs specifically state in their policies that they are responsible for removing dangerous wildlife, including large alligators. This is the job of the HOA, not the job of residents. In other words, property owners’ associations generally must look out for large alligators and work with SCDNR to have them removed. When they fail to do this, alligator attacks can occur.
Protecting Your Rights After an Alligator Attack
Victims of alligator attacks and their families have legal rights when property owners fail to maintain safe premises. The plaintiff must ultimately prove the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous alligator and did nothing about it. Evidence of prior sightings, previous aggressive behavior, or community complaints can strengthen these cases.
We've seen property management companies and homeowners associations held liable for failing to protect residents and visitors from preventable attacks. In our experience, the issue is generally the failure to have large alligators removed from the community. The increasing frequency of these incidents—from Hilton Head to Charleston—demonstrates the need for more proactive management of gators.
Contact a South Carolina Alligator Attack Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You may have grounds for a premises liability claim if an alligator attacked you or your family member. At Spetsas Buist Accident Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact of these attacks. We work with victims and their families across Florida and South Carolina to hold negligent property owners and managers accountable for preventable alligator attacks.
Call 321-LAWSUIT today for a free consultation. We will make sure you can speak with a lawyer at our office so that you can get a better understanding of your legal rights. If we can help you, you don’t pay us anything up front. Our firm only collects a fee when we recover money for you.