Florida Dog Bite Lawyer

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, almost 40% of American households own at least one dog. With so many dogs living in the country, it’s hardly surprising that dog attacks affect millions of Americans annually.

Dog bites can lead to many injuries, lifelong emotional trauma, and even fatalities.

Read on if you or a loved one are suffering from a dog bite. We’ll review common dog bite injuries, frequent causes of dog bites, and Florida’s applicable law. You should also strongly consider contacting a qualified dog bite lawyer in Florida right away.

For a free consultation, please call (786) 530-4357 or fill out our online form today.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can lead to a surprisingly wide range of injuries.

These include:

• Lacerations,
• Punctures,
• Fractures,
• Loss of tissue,
• Crush injuries, and
• Scarring.

In addition, there’s also the danger of developing infections. These infections can develop from the injury itself or the initial bite. One particularly grievous infection is rabies, which often leads to death.

Common Causes of Dog Bites

There are many causes of dog bites, such as: 

• Fear. This can happen when a dog is suddenly startled or frightened by a person.
• Territorial behavior. Many dog breeds are highly protective of their territory, belongings, or family members, and may bite anyone they perceive to be an intruder.
• Prey drive. Some breeds have a high prey drive. This can cause them to chase and bite moving objects, especially joggers and running children.
• Improper socialization. Dogs that have not received adequate training and socialization often become unstable around unfamiliar people or situations, which causes them to lash out aggressively.

Dogs can even bite people when they are trying to be playful. While this biting is not connected with aggression, it can cause significant injuries.

How Does Florida Law Assess Liability for Dog Bites?

Florida is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog bites. This means that the owner of a dog can be held liable if their dog bites someone, even if the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog being aggressive or had never bitten anyone before. Florida’s approach stands in stark contrast to states with the “one bite” rule, which states that an owner is liable only if they knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous.

There are defenses a person may assert in Florida to defer a finding of strict liability. These defenses include the other party’s negligence and trespassing.

How Much Could I Receive for My Dog Bite?

It’s difficult to have complete certainty about the damages in your dog bite case. Notwithstanding, there are several factors that come into play in your dog bite case.

These include the following:

• The severity of the injury. This is the most influential factor. Minor scratches may result in less compensation than deep puncture wounds, broken bones, or disfigurements.
• Medical expenses. The amount of past, current, and future medical bills will significantly influence the size of the compensation. Medical expenses include emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and long-term care costs.
• Lost wages. If the injury led you to miss work or damaged your ability to earn in the future, you could be compensated for lost income.
• Pain and suffering. While more subjective than other types of damages, compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the dog bite can be considerable. This is especially true if the injury leads to chronic pain or psychological trauma like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Remember, each dog bite case is unique. That means the specific circumstances surrounding the incident will influence the potential compensation. Consulting a Florida dog bite lawyer can help you better understand what your case is worth.

Contact Our Dog Bite Attorneys in Florida to Get the Relief You Need

If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you should strongly consider a lawyer. Obtaining legal representation is the best way to maximize your chances of success in the courtroom. It also helps ensure that you receive the proper amount of compensation.

We know that a growing area like Florida, has many dog bite lawyers. However, our dedicated attorneys stand head and shoulders above the competition. We are not a huge law firm that sees clients only as numbers. Instead, we’re a boutique law firm with experienced, passionate attorneys. We excel in both legal expertise and client communications, so you get the outstanding, personalized service you need. Call Arias & Abbass Your Attorneys at (786) 530-4357 or contact us online today to get started.

DISCLOSURE: Results are not guaranteed and vary on a case-by-case basis. This website and the information contained herein does not and is not purported to be legal advice. The information contained in our website may not be up to date, includes only a summary of Florida law, and it is for educational purposes only. Contact our office for a consultation or a licensed attorney in your state for specific information pertaining to your case. Please review our content and no legal advice Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms and Conditions.