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A dog bite is a traumatic event that can cause serious physical injuries and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, dog bite injuries are not uncommon. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 4 million people are bitten by dogs every year, and over 800,000 of those require medical attention. At least half of those are children.
If you or a loved one experienced a dog bite injury, you may be entitled to compensation. The dog bite injury attorney team at Saka Bryant can identify who was responsible and hold them accountable for the harm they caused. Contact Saka Bryant today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can assist you.
A dog attack can cause severe injuries and lifelong trauma. A dog bite often breaks the skin and could lead to a serious infection if left untreated. Severe attacks may cause puncture wounds, torn muscles and tendons, nerve damage, and scarring that may require specialized medical care.
Common injuries from a dog bite include:
The impact of a dog bite can extend beyond physical injuries to include psychological trauma and a fear of dogs that can last a lifetime. This psychological trauma can be just as debilitating as the physical injuries and may require counseling or mental health treatment.
Under Florida law, the owner of a dog is responsible if a person was bitten in a public place or was lawfully on private property. There is no requirement to show that the dog showed past aggression or that the dog owner was negligent. Nonetheless, insurance companies often fight to minimize or deny these claims, using tactics to shift blame to the injured person or downplay the severity of their injuries.
Florida’s strict liability dog bite statute only applies to bite injuries. If a dog injures someone by knocking them down or injuring them in some other way, general negligence law applies. To secure compensation, the injured person must prove the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog had aggressive tendencies.
Florida dog owners are not strictly liable for injuries if a “bad dog” sign was posted. However, an injured person can still seek compensation if the dog was loose, off its leash, or if the gate was open and the dog bite was caused by the dog owner’s negligence. The dangerous dog exception does not apply if the injured person was a child under age six.
Florida dog owners have a clear obligation to keep their animals under control. However, Florida’s strict liability law for dog bite injuries does not apply if the injured person was teasing or provoking the dog. In these instances, courts apply modified comparative fault principles, which can reduce the injured person’s financial recovery based on the extent of their fault. If the injured person was found to be more than 50% responsible for causing their injuries, recovery is barred.
Many homeowners’ insurance policies include coverage for dog bite injuries. If you were injured by a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for:
After a dog bite, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Dog saliva can carry dangerous bacteria that could lead to infection and other medical complications. You should also gather information about the dog and its owner, take photographs of the dog, the location where the attack occurred, and your injuries. Reporting the incident to animal control allows officials to verify that the dog’s vaccinations are up to date.
If you or someone you love was injured in a dog bite incident, the Florida dog bite injury attorney team at Saka Bryant can help. We will help you navigate the insurance claims process and fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt in a dog bite incident in Florida, contact the Florida dog bite attorney team at Saka Bryant today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can assist you.
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