Florida Dog Bite Lawyer

At Levin Litigation, we love our four-legged friends just as much as the next person, but we also acknowledge their capability to cause serious injuries, long-term disability, and disfigurement. If you’ve sustained a bite injury from another person’s dog, you may be eligible for compensation to address your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and emotional trauma. Our dog bite lawyers can help you document the incident and your injuries, present your case, and advocate for your right to fair compensation following this horrific event.

Who is Liable If a Dog Bites Someone in Florida?

Florida law holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs. That means an owner can be responsible for a bite even if they had no reason to believe their dog would attack and were not acting negligently. The following are some situations where an owner may be held liable:

• Private property visits: If you visit a friend or family member and are bitten, the owner will generally be held liable, especially if the bite was unprovoked.
• Public property: If the bite happens in a park or on a street, liability generally falls on the dog owner, particularly if the dog was unleashed or out of control.
• Unannounced or delivery visits: Even if the visitor didn’t know about the dog, like a mail carrier knocking for a package, the homeowner is usually responsible.

There are exceptions to this rule, however. Victims who provoke a dog, such as by trespassing, teasing, or physically harming it, may bear some or all of the responsibility for their injuries.

If Owners Are Strictly Liable, Why Do I Need a Dog Bite Attorney?

Even in cases where a dog owner seems clearly responsible for your bite injury, recovering compensation, especially that which accurately reflects your losses, can be tough. Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of your medical issues, ignore the cost of any future treatment you may need, or argue that you share some responsibility for the incident.

At Levin Litigation, our dog bite lawyers ensure that your claim is supported by strong evidence from the start. We gather and preserve critical documentation, from medical records to eyewitness accounts, and handle all communications with insurers. By carefully building and presenting your case, we can push back against unfair offers and disputes. We are even prepared to take your case to court if it means securing fair compensation.

What Dog Bite Compensation Can You Recover?

A serious dog attack can easily change a person’s life, not just physically but also financially. Below are a few of the many damages that dog bite victims can pursue in an insurance claim or lawsuit:

• Medical bills: Dog bite medical bills can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if the bite results in long-term or life-threatening issues. This may include the initial emergency visit, vaccinations, medications, and long-term care. You can pursue all of these costs through a personal injury lawsuit.
• Lost wages: Many victims of dog bites suffer mobility issues due to nerve damage or illness due to infection. Regardless of the extent of your injuries, you may be able to recover a percentage of your lost wages if you were (or still are) unable to work due to your injuries.
• Pain and suffering: This may include mobility issues, disability, chronic pain, or disfigurement that you’ve endured due to your dog bite.
• Emotional trauma: It’s not unusual for victims of a dog bite to sustain a lifelong fear of dogs following their accident, as well as anxiety, depression, and PTSD that result from the injuries themselves. For those who were attacked by a dog they knew, they may also suffer relationship tension with the owner, especially if they were a family member or friend.

Note that dog bite settlement amounts are dependent on the severity of the incident and the amount of available evidence. A dog bite lawyer can help you accurately calculate the extent of your damages and present them to insurance.

What To Know About Florida Dog Bite Claims

Many dog bites happen unprovoked, but it’s important to note that even if you did provoke the dog in some way before it bit you (such as by taunting it or accidentally walking into it), it doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have a case. Under the concept of comparative negligence, dog bite victims can still pursue damages so long as they were not more than 50% responsible for the attack taking place. However, in these cases, compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 5% responsible for provoking the dog, you will still be entitled to 95% of the damages.

Another limitation is the timing of filing a claim. Florida has strict deadlines that must be met when filing a personal injury claim, including dog bite claims. According to the Florida dog bite statute of limitations, dog bite victims have two years from the date of the attack to file their dog bite claims. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you won’t be eligible to recover compensation, which is why it’s important to reach out to our dog bite attorneys as soon as possible.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

The extent of damage that a dog can inflict on a person can range considerably. In some cases, the victim may receive only minor scratches. However, in others, they may sustain lifelong impairments. Some of the most common injuries resulting from dog attacks include:

• Puncture wounds: While small, narrow bites may not appear serious on the surface, puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue, increasing the risk of infection.
• Facial bites: These injuries can cause permanent disfigurement and may require reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
• Torn skin: If the dog clamps down and shakes, it can result in extensive lacerations where the skin is torn away from the body. These wounds typically require stitches or surgical repair and can leave noticeable dog bite scars.
• Nerve damage: A bite that reaches deeper tissues may sever or compress nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, or even paralysis in the affected area. In some cases, nerve damage may be permanent.
• Dog bite infections: Bacteria or viruses from a dog’s mouth, such as staph, tetanus, or rabies, can rapidly cause infection. Signs of an infected dog bite include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, and fever. Left untreated, these infections can quickly develop into life-threatening conditions.
• Emotional trauma: Beyond physical damage, dog bite victims often suffer from psychological effects such as anxiety, nightmares, fear of dogs, and PTSD.

What To Do If a Dog Bites You in Florida

A dog bite can be a frightening and chaotic experience. Your first step should be to move to a safe area. If you are able, take note of the dog owner’s contact information and that of any witnesses, but prioritize getting medical attention. Getting treatment can help prevent infection and other complications from emerging later, and your visit to a medical provider also creates an official record that can be used as evidence later.

Reporting the bite to the police is also important, as similar to your medical visit, it creates an official record while also helping protect others.

Once you have taken these steps, reach out to our dog bite lawyers. We can help gather evidence, locate the dog’s owner if necessary, and navigate communications with insurers. We’ll help you focus on healing while ensuring your claim is properly supported.

Florida Dog Bite Lawyer: FAQs

Is a Dog Bite Considered an Accident?

Yes, in the same way that a car accident, a workplace accident, or a product defect is considered an “accident.” All are types of personal injury cases, and may be referred to as an accident, but regardless of the intent on the part of the owner, they can still be held liable for injuries that their dog inflicts.

When Should I See a Doctor for a Dog Bite?

Regardless of the extent of your dog bite, you should always see a doctor to assess the damage, document the incident, and, most importantly, treat the wound and neutralize the risk of infection.

How Long Does it Take for a Dog Bite Settlement?

A dog bite claim can take a few weeks up to a year or longer to settle, depending on the cooperation of the insurance company and other parties. Working with a lawyer, however, can help speed this process along.

How Much Can I Sue for a Dog Bite?

Dog bite settlement amounts are determined by the severity of the bite, the extent of the damages, and the amount of evidence available. That being said, it’s not unusual for these claims to result in thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If You’ve Been Bitten, Get in Touch With Our Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys in Florida

At Levin Litigation, our Florida dog bite injury lawyers know just how devastating these incidents can be, and we can help you fight for compensation that accurately reflects the impact the event has had on your life. Give our dog bite injury law firm a call today. We will be glad to answer any questions you have about your case during your free consultation.