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South Carolina is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Like many popular cities, however, our state has a major personal injury problem. Did you know that, in South Carolina, the rate of personal injury cases is 30.21 per 100,000 residents, which is 217% higher than the national average of 9.53?
In fact, personal injury cases account for 36% of the state's entire civil caseload, which is 210% more than the national average proportion. That's the third-highest proportion of personal injury cases in the country, with the average being 11.65% in the United States.
If you've suffered an injury due to someone else's fault, it's safe to say that you're not alone. Like others in your situation, you may be enduring a long, painful recovery process. Unfortunately, recovery is just one of the many concerns you've got to worry about. While you're healing, you're probably also thinking about questions like:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., we understand the stress and frustration you may be experiencing. Our personal injury attorneys have been helping clients since 2000 by utilizing their extensive experience and knowledge of state and federal personal injury laws to provide much-needed guidance when you need it most. During this difficult time, however, it's critical that you contact a personal injury lawyer in Wadmalaw as soon as possible to start the process of pursuing compensation.
If you've been involved in an accident that left you injured or incapacitated, dealing with legal matters and lawyers is the last thing you want to do. However, having a personal injury lawyer to handle the legal process while you recover can alleviate some of the stress in your life. The legal system in South Carolina can be complicated - especially when it comes to personal injury cases. Fortunately, hiring a personal injury attorney from Bostic Law can relieve the burden of managing your own case. Perhaps more importantly, working with a seasoned personal injury firm can help you get the compensation you need to survive and provide.
As your Wadmalaw accident attorney, our firm will guide you through your rights, the compensation you may be entitled to, and how to pursue it through a customized legal strategy. As the process progresses, our team will keep in touch with you to answer your queries, provide helpful advice when you have concerns, or simply be a friendly professional when you need to talk about your case.
Our attorneys specialize in a wide range of personal injury accidents and cases, including the following:
We provide aggressive legal representation to help you win the compensation you deserve while also offering compassion as you deal with your injuries and other legal matters. Throughout the process, we will act as your advocates and remain committed to providing you with honest and responsive service. And that, in a nutshell, is the Bostic Law difference.
Personal injury cases in South Carolina can happen from a number of different accidents, from car wrecks and wrongful death situations to nursing home negligence and workers' compensation issues. The sheer number of different personal injury cases makes understanding this niche of law particularly exhaustive - especially in The Palmetto State. But that doesn't change the fact that you should be educated on the topic if you have been injured due to no fault of your own.
To help you establish a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject, keep reading this article, which covers some of the laws governing personal injury cases in South Carolina and the steps you can take to protect your rights.
While some cases may share similarities, any personal injury attorney in Wadmalaw, SC, who says your case is exactly the same as someone else's isn't being truthful. There are several factors that come into play when determining the value of a case. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injury, the need for future medical care, where the incident occurred, and witness statements.
However, two particular factors have the most significant impact on the case's value: the defendant's behavior and the character of our client. Liability drives damages, while credibility is an essential asset for any client. No matter how skilled their attorney may be, a client's credibility and likability can greatly affect the outcome of the case. It's crucial to be open and honest with your attorney from the beginning so that they can help you overcome any obstacles that may arise during the case.
Did you know that insurance companies in the United States have spent millions of dollars stereotyping personal injury victims and the attorneys who represent them? Moreover, some people fake injuries, which can prejudice jurors against those who have actually been harmed. Despite those unfortunate facts, one truth remains: Horrible accidents occur every day, tragedies affect every community in our state, and families are left to deal with nothing but questions in the aftermath.
When tragedy strikes, it doesn't discriminate based on race, ethnicity, location, or profession. As such, South Carolina personal injury laws treat everyone equally. If you've been hurt because of someone else's carelessness, you have the right to hold them accountable both legally and financially, regardless of your background.
As they say, "It's not what you know; it's what you can prove." That saying is especially true in today's day and age. In order to receive full compensation for accident claims in South Carolina, it's not enough to just have physical harm, medical bills, and ongoing pain. As your personal injury lawyers, we must establish additional elements of the case and provide proof to answer a number of questions before an insurance carrier or jury will make you whole.
Some of the questions we must provide answers to include:
Dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to personal injury cases. Though the questions listed above may seem simple and their answers straightforward, insurance companies will dispute the value of your case for any reason they can find. But don't be discouraged. At Bostic Law, our personal injury lawyers have spent entire careers helping people overcome the challenges you're facing, and they're readily available to help you, too.
It's important to have insurance, especially if you get injured. With health insurance, you can receive medical treatment that you may not otherwise be able to afford. If you've been in an accident, we'll work to make sure the insurance company of the person at fault pays for your medical expenses. Medical expenses are defined by the true cost of the treatment you receive, not just what you pay out of pocket.
For instance, if your co-pays are $400 but your medical care costs $11,500, our state's personal injury laws guarantee that you'll get the full $11,500, not just your out-of-pocket expenses.
If the other party in your case cannot be proven to have been negligent, careless, reckless, or willful in some way, South Carolina law does not allow you to receive compensation. Negligence can be easily demonstrated at times, such as when a doctor forgets to remove a surgical tool from your body or when a texting driver hits someone from behind.
Liability can be disputed in other cases, such as when the other driver claims that the person swerved into their lane during a crash, or when a product manufacturer argues that an injury occurred due to improper use. In such cases, a personal injury lawyer can assist in identifying independent witnesses and experts who can establish that someone else is responsible for your injuries
Once an attorney in your case shows that the other party is liable for your injuries, they must then prove that their negligence is behind those injuries. As an example, suppose you have a previous history of back pain, and a short time later, you get in a rear-end collision. In such a situation, an insurance company may contend that your preexisting condition - and not the collision - is the reason behind your current back pain.
To counter their argument, we may require your doctor's testimony to verify that the accident aggravated your back pain, leading to medical attention. Additionally, we may ask your friends and family to describe any changes in your physical activity after the crash to further establish the difference in your condition and prove that it was caused by the accident.
If you have been unable to work for a period of time due to an accident, or if your injuries will affect your future earning potential, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. This includes both the wages you have already lost and the amount you will lose over your lifetime as a result of someone else's negligence. It is important that insurance companies do not underestimate or ignore these damages when negotiating a settlement.
It's critically important that you understand every aspect of your personal injury case before you settle or accept an insurance company's offer. Once you sign on the dotted line and approve a release, you won't qualify for further payments, even if you need more medical attention. That's why it's so important to work with a personal injury law firm like Bostic Law.
We'll evaluate your case for free to help you better understand the challenges ahead. When the insurance companies try to squirm out of covering your injuries, we'll fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Now that you have the information above to help fortify your foundation of knowledge, let's take a look at some of our personal injury specialties at Bostic Law Group, P.A.
According to state records, out of the 3.9 million licensed motorists in South Carolina, close to 219 thousand were involved in auto accidents in 2019. If you were to account for those not licensed in the state, you would find that 1 in 20 drivers got in an auto wreck - about 5.6% of all motorists. Those statistics are staggering, and they seem to be getting worse.
Fortunately, in South Carolina, the law says that personal injury victims are entitled to compensation that covers the full extent of their injuries. Why? Because the purpose of auto injury compensation is to help the victim return to the life they had before their accident. Of course, in reality, that's easier said than done. Truly recovering from an auto accident - both physically and mentally - is quite rare.
The unfortunate truth is that it's not possible for personal injury laws in South Carolina to reverse or even account for the trials and tribulations you face due to auto accident injuries. But there's light at the end of the tunnel.
By hiring a personal injury lawyer in Wadmalaw, SC, you can receive financial compensation that equals those damages. How much money can you get? Every personal injury case is different. In general, however, personal injury victims are often compensated for needs and expenses such as:
Whether you or one of your loved ones is injured because of an auto accident, contact Bostic Law Group today to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. The quicker you call, the faster we can dig into your case and begin fighting for your right to compensation.
At Bostic Law, one of the most common questions we receive is what auto accident victims should do on the scene after they've been in a South Carolina car wreck. Being involved in an auto accident is harrowing and stressful, but it's crucial for you to remain as calm as possible in the immediate aftermath. Once you collect yourself, it's time to focus on a few very important steps that can affect whether or not you obtain reasonable compensation for any injuries you sustain.
If possible, have every car involved in your car accident move to a safe space away from traffic. Common options include moving to the shoulder of the highway or road or to a safe parking lot.
Once you move out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights to make your vehicle more noticeable. This helps prevent you from being hit by other cars that are passing you.
If anyone has been injured in the car wreck, make sure you call medical services. If you aren't sure if you or anyone else is hurt, it's always best to err on the side of safety and call an ambulance anyway.
Regardless of how serious your car wreck is, you should contact the police. Calling law enforcement helps ensure that a police report is written and recorded. Make sure to take this step even if you believe that the officer on the scene attributed blame to the wrong motorist.
Once you have called the cops, it's time to collect information. Try to collect the following:
Take photos of your car and any other vehicles that may have been involved in your car wreck. Try to snap photos from varying angles if it's safe to do so.
Your parents probably raised you to apologize for something that you may believe is your fault. When you're involved in a car wreck, do not ever apologize or admit that anything was your fault.
Can you smell alcohol on the breath of the person who hit you? Does it sound like they're slurring their words? Are they stumbling around? These are red flags that you should make a note of because they could help indicate whether the other driver was intoxicated when they hit you.
If you've been involved in a car accident in South Carolina and need help in seeking a fair recovery from your insurance company, The Bostic Law Group, P.A., is here for you. We specialize in personal injury and auto accident cases in South Carolina. When you hire a personal injury attorney in Wadmalaw, SC, from Bostic Law, you can rest easy knowing you're in seasoned, capable hands.
Contact our office immediately for a legal consultation if you have any questions about your case. We take pride in serving our community and want to ensure that you receive the assistance you need to obtain a full, fair recovery after your auto accident.
Getting injured on the job isn't just painful - it can be a source of stress, anxiety, and mental anguish too. Nobody wants to feel like they can't put food on the table because they can't go to work. Sadly, in South Carolina, 30,300 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported.
Employees who are injured at work are generally eligible for benefits under state and federal workers' compensation programs. South Carolina's workers' compensation program provides compensation for medical expenses related to the injury and disability benefits if necessary. Additionally, in the event that an employee is unable to return to work immediately after an accident, they can receive a portion of their regular wages as they recover.
But getting the workers' compensation you rightly deserve isn't always easy. That's why it's so important to have a personal injury lawyer by your side.
While South Carolina's workers' compensation program seems great when you're hurt at work, recovering those benefits can be difficult. That's especially true if you're trying to recover and heal from your injuries at the same time. A personal injury attorney can help accomplish that task for you, even when you're facing tough scenarios such as:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our workers' compensation lawyers in Wadmalaw understand the significance of workers' compensation benefits for you, your family, and your financial stability. We strive to provide you with the detailed guidance and assistance required to file a successful claim or appeal a denied one.
With more than 25 years of experience in handling worker's compensation cases, we're ready and willing to answer your questions and help you get the benefits you need.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a human can endure. Their loss leaves what seems to be a giant hole that can never truly be filled. To make matters worse, grief is often compounded by confusion and anger when you learn that your loved one died because of an accident caused by negligence or carelessness. At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our attorneys understand the distress you feel after losing a loved one in an accident.
On both a human and professional level, we believe that you and your family shouldn't suffer alone. That's why, during this trying time, we're here to provide reliable help and healing when you need it most.
Losing a loved one can never be compensated for with money. However, it can be helpful to seek compensation through a wrongful death suit to avoid financial difficulties in the future. Pursuing compensation can enable your family to be in a better position to focus on healing emotionally.
According to laws in South Carolina and the United States, you might be eligible to pursue compensation for your family's losses. Some of the most common types of wrongful death compensation include:
By holding the negligent party accountable for their actions, you may also be able to prevent another family from enduring the same heartache yours has experienced. Whether you're the deceased's child, spouse, parent, or heir, contact our wrongful death law firm today. Together, we'll take the first steps toward a better tomorrow.
Getting injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence can be a scary and painful experience. Dealing with legal matters during recovery can be overwhelming, but a great personal injury lawyer in Wadmalaw, SC, can help alleviate your worries and allow you to focus on healing. Our Wadmalaw lawyers are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover quickly by providing excellent legal representation and attentive client services as you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
If you're looking for a law firm you can trust, contact our office today for a legal consultation.
Wadmalaw Island residents and property owners were among the first in South Carolina to band together and agree on a strict zoning code designed to protect the rural character of their Sea Island. That was more than 35 years ago, but a new legal challenge has emerged that, if successful, could undermine that legacy, dramatically change the island’s character and allow for more than 1,000 additional homesites.It is critical that Charleston County and Wadmalaw residents fight this case vigorously in federal court and ensure this c...
Wadmalaw Island residents and property owners were among the first in South Carolina to band together and agree on a strict zoning code designed to protect the rural character of their Sea Island. That was more than 35 years ago, but a new legal challenge has emerged that, if successful, could undermine that legacy, dramatically change the island’s character and allow for more than 1,000 additional homesites.
It is critical that Charleston County and Wadmalaw residents fight this case vigorously in federal court and ensure this challenge fails.
At issue is an interpretation of the density of the island’s agricultural zoning, which limits development to no more than one home per 15 acres, except for the land along water, where one home is allowed on every 3 acres. The issue arose over Point Farm, a waterfront property on which the owners agreed to protect its marshfront from development, part of a controversial mitigation bank deal that protects wetlands there in exchange for other wetlands that Charleston County expects to fill as part of its work on local road projects.
Point Farm Investors LLC contends that its property within 1,000 feet of the critical line should be allowed to have the higher, 3-acres-per-home density, though the original 1988 plan makes no mention of the 1,000-foot rule, saying that one home per 3 acres applies only to land “abutting critical areas or freshwater coastal wetlands.” The company has filed a lawsuit claiming that the county’s text change last year amounts to an illegal rezoning and even a taking of its property.
We strongly disagree, as the county’s precedent plan language makes it clear such parcels must abut the water to quality for higher density. In December, it clarified the language further to enshrine that precedent, a step that triggered Point Farm’s lawsuit.
We normally would prefer to see rezoning disputes settled in council chambers rather than a courtroom, but when a local governing body makes the correct decision, like Charleston County Council did in this instance, it has an obligation to defend itself and the general public to uphold that decision. And we urge Wadmalaw Island’s other property owners to join the county in this fight.
The county should not only aggressively defend its zoning but reconsider its mitigation bank deal with Point Farm Investors, which is showing bad faith by first selling its protected marshfront to the county for $19.8 million (more than Point Farm’s owners paid for their entire 710-acre tract) and then suing the county because the county rightly claims that deal forecloses the one-house-per-3-acre density on the tract. A separate lawsuit is pending over that mitigation bank deal, and we hope it prevails. One reason the mitigation bank has been so controversial, beyond its eye-popping price tag, is that it would do nothing to protect the marshfront by limiting development on the remaining vast inland acreage.
But an even worse outcome would be if Wadmalaw Island’s AG-15 zoning were weakened to allow more clustered development not only along the water but also inland from it. It’s difficult to calculate how many more homesites this could add to the island — which lacks sewer service and is accessible by a single two-lane road — but the best estimates put that number north of 1,000, as much of the island’s coast is zoned that way.
Almost four decades ago, Wadmalaw united behind a common strategy to protect the island from the suburban sprawl gradually creeping across neighboring Sea Islands, and its zoning plan — and the process behind developing widespread public support for it on the island — should be seen as a model for ensuring some of our most significant rural lands remain rural. This legal challenge is a reminder that this important work never ends.
Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.
WADMALAW ISLAND, SC – Hundreds of people have signed a petition against the proposed Bears Bluff Mine on central Wadmalaw Island.According to the permit application, the project spans approximately 270 acres. Of that land...
WADMALAW ISLAND, SC – Hundreds of people have signed a petition against the proposed Bears Bluff Mine on central Wadmalaw Island.
According to the permit application, the project spans approximately 270 acres. Of that land, the mine would only dig up 20 acres and be at maximum 15 feet deep.
“The permitted acreage that they’re requesting is just over 200 acres and this is actually one of the last, big, undeveloped tracks of land on Wadmalaw Island,” Caroline Bradner with the Coastal Conservation League said. “All mining has impacts. It’s resource extraction.”
But for Allen and Melissa Dawson, the project’s applicants, they say the mine is only temporary to dig enough out of the ground for them to build a recreational pond on their property.
“When it’s done, it’ll be done,” Allen Dawson said. “The trucks will stop, the traffic will stop. The pond will be functional.”
Neighbors are voicing their concerns on increased truck traffic, potential water contamination and noise affected with a mining project.
“The two-lane country roads and older bridge to Johns Island are not able to support the constant flow of loaded big trucks that this mine will bring,” Wadmalaw resident Sarah McLester said in an email to Live 5 News. “When the roads must be repaired or resurfaced, the entire county will bear the burden of this cost, rather than the landowner responsible for the damage.”
If approved, the Bears Bluff Mine will be the first one on Wadmalaw island. But the Lowcountry is no stranger to sand and clay minds. According to Department of Health Environmental Control, there are 16 sand mines on neighboring Johns Island alone.
The Dawsons say they plan to sell the extracted sand and clay, but they want their neighbors to know they have the same intention for conserving the island.
“We want to keep it rural as well. That’s what drew us to this property,” Melissa Dawson said. “We bought it with friends to use it for a recreation property for children, grandchildren down the road.”
Right now, DHEC is taking public comments on the project. They intend to hold a public hearing in the future but have not released a date.
The Dawsons say they can be reached at Eallen@dawsominc.com.
Copyright 2019 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Did you know South Carolina has over 30 sea islands? It’s pretty amazing to live in a state where no matter where you are located, you can drive half a day or less from many areas and instantly experience a laid-back lowcountry lifestyle. Or just take a nice, relaxing scenic drive in South Carolina with gorgeous sights as well as a few old-fashioned places to eat or shop. It’s the perfect weekend day trip.This scenic...
Did you know South Carolina has over 30 sea islands? It’s pretty amazing to live in a state where no matter where you are located, you can drive half a day or less from many areas and instantly experience a laid-back lowcountry lifestyle. Or just take a nice, relaxing scenic drive in South Carolina with gorgeous sights as well as a few old-fashioned places to eat or shop. It’s the perfect weekend day trip.
This scenic drive along Highway 700 we have for you today is a 38-minute, 21.5-mile drive if you are driving straight through. We are starting the route on James Island. It stretches through Johns Island and ends on Wadmalaw Island. You’ll want to plan for the amount of time you’d like to spend at each stop to determine how long the trip will take overall.
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The Scenic Road Trip That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Beauty Of South Carolina All Over Again
The Ultimate South Carolina Waterfall Road Trip Will Take You To 7 Scenic Spots In The State
The Scenic Drive To Cleveland Park Is Almost As Beautiful As The Destination Itself
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Ready to take this road trip? Visit each of the websites or Facebook pages for these stops for more information:
My Father’s Moustache Facebook page
Terrace Oaks Antique Mall website
Terrace Oaks Antique Mall Facebook page
Bugby Plantation U-Pick Market Facebook page
HUM Grocery at Historic P.M. King’s does not have a website or Facebook page. You can follow HUM Grocery on Instagram for updates.
Which of these stops is most appealing to you and why? Share with us in the comments below!
In honor of The Notebook film’s 15th anniversary today, we’ve compiled fun facts, history, + more about the various locations of Noah Calhoun + Allie Hamilton’s iconic love story, which was mainly filmed right here in Charleston. The adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ first book written in 1996 became an extremely popular film in 2004 and still remains a favorite today.When s...
In honor of The Notebook film’s 15th anniversary today, we’ve compiled fun facts, history, + more about the various locations of Noah Calhoun + Allie Hamilton’s iconic love story, which was mainly filmed right here in Charleston. The adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ first book written in 1996 became an extremely popular film in 2004 and still remains a favorite today.
When scouting out filming locations, producers fell in love with Charleston + created the fictional town of “Seabrook, S.C.” as the main setting of the movie, despite the novel taking place in the real town of New Bern, N.C. (Although Seabrook + Seabrook Island are real places in S.C., the city in The Notebook is completely fictional. Seabrook Island even has a helpful post on its website clarifying this as it gets mistaken quite often.)
The film’s stars Rachel McAdams + Ryan Gosling were coincidentally both born in London, Canada. To prepare for their roles as South Carolinians, they both spent time living in Charleston to understand the southern lifestyle prior to filming. Gosling spent time rowing the Ashley River + taking woodworking classes (a table he built is actually featured in the film), while McAdams took ballet, etiquette, + southern accent coaching.
Used for: Exterior shots of the Hamilton’s summer house + bike ride sceneFun fact: Photography + video recording isn’t allowed inside, so they had to use a second location (Calhoun Mansion) to film indoor scenes.
Used for: Indoor shots of the Hamiltons’ summer houseHistory: Built in 1876, this house has served as a private residence, hotel, filming site, + tourist attraction. Visitors can explore antique collections from the past located throughout the mansion’s interior.
Scene: Noah + Allie’s boat rideFun fact: Since swans are not native to the area, filmmakers purchased the ones seen in the movie as chicks + raised them on a nearby lake solely for this scene.
Used for: The house Noah built AllieFun fact: Ryan Gosling wanted Noah to burn the house down after completing its renovations.
Used for: Scenes of Allie’s collegeFun fact: If you aren’t familiar with the movie, Allie’s college was Sarah Lawrence College in New York, but producers decided to utilize this Charleston-based college to stay local.
Scene: Noah sees Allie greeting her fiancé through the restaurant’s window.Fun fact: A manager of Slightly North of Broad was cast as the maitre d’ in this scene.
Scene: Noah + Allie’s first dateFun fact: While this theater no longer shows movies, one of the most popular things it’s used for it displaying marriage proposals. (Wonder if Noah would’ve utilized this in the 21st century?)
Scene: Noah + Allie dance and lay in the road (right in this very intersection).Fun fact: A temporary stoplight and vintage parking meters + window signs were put on King St. for this film.
Used for: Old Village in Mount Pleasant set the scene for “Seabrook”, SC.Fun fact: Pitt Street Pharmacy is where Noah + Allie go on an ice cream date.
Scene: Allie sees Noah in the newspaper while she tries on dresses for her approaching wedding.Fun fact: You can also try on wedding dresses here, as it currently serves as a venue for weddings, receptions, + other events. (Hopefully, you won’t end up crying in a bathtub.)
Used for: Allie’s nursing homeHistory: While this plantation home is widely known as Black River Plantation, it has held various names such as Rice Hope Plantation + Waddell Ranch, and was at one time the International Paper Company House.
Bulldog Tours offers a mini round-up of specific locations + addresses of filming spots. There are also tours available of Boone Hall Plantation, Cypress Gardens + Calhoun Mansion, as well as pre-planned itineraries for spending a day in the life of Allie + Noah.
A Christian rock star and his wife are still trying to turn four "treehouses" on Wadmalaw Island into an AirBnb destination, but island residents are fighting back — and some of the back-and-forth on social media is reaching a fever pitch.Seth and Tori Bolt, who have built four elevated cabins on roughly 35 acres, have been trying to establish their locale as a nature-focused, short-term rental spot since roughly the beginning of the year. Seth Bolt is a bassist in the band Needtobreathe and also owns a house in Summer...
A Christian rock star and his wife are still trying to turn four "treehouses" on Wadmalaw Island into an AirBnb destination, but island residents are fighting back — and some of the back-and-forth on social media is reaching a fever pitch.
Seth and Tori Bolt, who have built four elevated cabins on roughly 35 acres, have been trying to establish their locale as a nature-focused, short-term rental spot since roughly the beginning of the year. Seth Bolt is a bassist in the band Needtobreathe and also owns a house in Summerville, according to property records.
The couple built their first treehouse — supported by pilings, not actual trees — near the Upstate town of Walhalla, where it's become a popular choice for AirBnb renters. The Wadmalaw treehouses are not currently being rented, but they have earned some media notice, including a visit from the women of reality show "Southern Charm."
The Bolts initially said that the four treehouses built on a wooded parcel along Maybank Highway, just north of Charleston Tea Plantation, would serve as a retreat for the band, the couple and their family. Later, the plans changed to rent those out, too, but the county's existing zoning restricts the number of nights and buildings that can be rented.
Opposition on the island has hardened because Wadmalaw residents worry the special zoning the Bolts are asking for could open the door to larger developments there. Some islanders suspect that the Bolts planned to use the treehouses as rentals from the beginning.
"We are pro-preservation and left more than 90 percent of our land untouched and in its rural, natural state," Tori Bolt wrote in an email. "We respect and appreciate the rural nature of Wadmalaw Island, and believe that treehouses and nature retreats are rural by nature and can be fitting with the rural character (of) Wadmalaw."
Since The Post and Courier first reported on the controversy back in May, the tenor of online comments has changed. After Tori Bolt posted a video to a Wadmalaw Facebook group last month, one commenter called her a "master manipulator."
Bolt spoke in the video about how she felt threatened by the discourse, and said some people told her in private messages they might show up on her property. She told The Post and Courier that the tone of the debate was "not productive, helpful or healthy."
"It’s unfortunate, maybe, but I can understand the passion, because of the love people have for Wadmalaw,” said Pam Skinner, an islander who opposes the zoning change.
Under the proposed plan, the Bolts are asking Charleston County Council for the right to rent out seven structures 365 nights a year, though Tori Bolt said there are no plans right now to add three more buildings. They're also asking for the right to host 25 special events on their property per year.
The plan runs counter to the attitudes of many on the island, who are fiercely protective of Wadmalaw's rural nature as development moves like a bulldozer through surrounding locales, like Johns Island. The island's Land Planning Committee, which helped craft Wadmalaw's notoriously strict zoning, has voted unanimously against the Bolts' proposal; the Charleston County Planning Commission also recommended denial.
“It seems pretty clear that it’s inappropriate for our area," said Kevin Richbourg, chair of the Land Planning Committee.
The couple have worked hard to rally some to their cause, inviting some neighbors to a barbecue on their property in March and attending Rockville Presbyterian Church. Around the same time, Tori Bolt made a $1,000 donation to Charleston County Councilman Brantley Moody, but Moody returned the donation in May, according to State Ethics Commission filings.
Moody said he gave the money back when he found out the couple had a zoning issue that would end up before the council.
"They’ve called every council member, and I think I’m probably going to abstain from the voting," Moody said.
The Bolts' proposed zoning will have a public hearing at 6 p.m. Oct. 8. At a later meeting, County Council will decide whether to approve it.
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