Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Florida
If you or someone you know has suffered a dog bite injury in Orlando or anywhere else in Central Florida, please contact one of our Orlando dog bite lawyers.
Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs. Tragically, most dog bite victims They are children under three years of age and often result in severe disfiguring scars. And, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Florida is consistently among the leading states when it comes to dog bites and attacks; In 2020, Florida was home to the second highest number of claims for dog bites in the USjust behind California.
All this to say that the dog bites They are incredibly common in the US and Florida, but that doesn’t mean an attack is any less devastating when it happens to you or a loved one. At NeJame Law, our Orlando dog bite lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial consequences associated with attacks by dogs and other animals, and we are here to help. This is an incredibly difficult time for you and your family, but our firm is here to guide you through the legal process with compassion and dedication to secure the justice you need to heal.
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, contact us at (407) 500-0000 to discuss your legal rights and options during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Liability For Dog Bite
Generally speaking, states follow one of two types of dog bite statutes; Under a one-bite rule, victims must prove that the dog had previously bitten another person and/or that the dog’s owner knew or should have known about the dog’s propensity to bite, but negligently failed to take reasonable steps to prevent that the dog caused injuries. In other words, under the one bite rule, the victim must prove that the dog owner was negligent to have a claim. However, in states that follow strict dog bite liability rules, dog owners are generally always responsible for injuries caused by their pets.
Florida follows the strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites.
This means that you can hold a dog owner liable if the following conditions are met:
- You were bitten by the dog, and;
- You did not provoke the dog, and;
- You were legally on private property, or;
- You were on public property when the bite occurred.
Please note that it is not necessary to prove that the dog owner was negligent to have grounds for a claim. Even if the dog was on a leash when he bit him, or if the dog had never acted aggressively before, he could still be entitled to compensation for his injuries. As long as he can prove that he was not trespassing when the bite occurred, he will likely have grounds for a case.
Although many people are reluctant to file a dog bite claim, especially when the dog was a friend or neighbor’s pet, victims of serious attacks deserve justice. Dog bites often cause serious injuries that require emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and ongoing care. They also often cause immense emotional trauma, anxiety, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You shouldn’t have to simply suffer the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a dog bite on your own.
Most homeowners insurance policies cover dog bites. When you file a claim, you typically file against the insurance company, not the dog’s owner. Pet owners have these policies for this very reason; You should not hesitate to seek the fair compensation you are owed, and NeJame Law can help.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Dog Bite Claim?
Las victims of dog attacks in Florida You may be entitled to compensation to cover damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Psychological and psychiatric bills (present and future)
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Dog Attack Injuries Without Bite
Florida’s dog bite strict liability statute only covers bite-related injuries. However, if you were injured, but not bitten, by a dog, you may still have a claim against the dog’s owner if he or she can prove that he or she was negligent and that this was the cause of your injury. In other words, if you were knocked down, scratched, or injured by a dog that did not bite, you can file a standard personal injury claim against the dog’s owner, handler, or handler under certain circumstances.
To do this, you must demonstrate that:
- You were hurt by the dog
- Suffered measurable damage
- The dog owner acted negligently or unlawfully
- The owner’s negligent or unlawful conduct was the cause of your injuries
For example, if a person allowed their dog to roam “loose” (i.e., off leash) in a public park where dogs must be leashed, and that dog knocked them down, causing them to break their wrist and suffer a concussion brain due to the fall, you could have a claim against the dog’s owner. Breaking the leash law and allowing the dog to run free are examples of negligence on the part of the dog owner and could serve as grounds for a claim.
Dog Bite Injuries and How We Can Help
Many dog bite related injuries They require multiple surgical revisions to ensure scarring is minimal. Some serious dog attacks can lead to infections, muscle or nerve damage, or even death. We will help you find a qualified team of medical professionals to help you with your injury. Our attorneys will conduct background checks on the dog, contact the owner of the home where the incident occurred and/or the owner of the dog, investigate liability and insurance issues, and negotiate a potential settlement for your claim. If settlement is not possible or appropriate, we will litigate your matter in a jury trial.
According to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day more than 2,000 American citizens require medical treatment due to dog attack injuries. In a article published on its website, the CDC reports what “Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of them are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about 16 die. The rate of injuries related to dog bites is higher for children ages 5 to 9, and the rate decreases as children get older. Nearly two-thirds of injuries among children ages four and younger are to the head or neck region. Injury rates in children are significantly higher for boys than for girls”.
In an effort to control the increase in dog bites, some US cities have begun regulating specific breeds, such as Pitbulls and Rottweilers. Florida lawmakers have recently been considering a bill to regulate dogs by breed. We will post any updates as events develop.
What Defenses Do Dog Owners Have?
Because the law specifies that dog owners are responsible for bites that occur when the victim is on public property or legally on private property, criminal trespass is one of the most commonly used defenses in dog bite cases. dog. If the dog owner alleges that you were trespassing on private property when you were attacked and bitten, you may have difficulty filing a claim and recovering damages.
Likewise, in Florida, dog owners are often protected from liability when they post signs indicating that a dog is on the property. Specifically, posting “bad dog” signs as a warning to potential visitors, guests, and others who may come to the property could serve as a viable defense in a dog bite case. Please note, however, that this does not apply in cases where the dog’s owner was negligent or when the victim is under six years old. Dog owners can also defend themselves against liability if they can prove that the victim provoked the dog.
Under the state’s comparative negligence laws, the dog owner may only be held partially liable or may not be liable at all if the victim is found to have partially or wholly caused the attack, either by provoking the dog or through some other negligent conduct. or illicit.
Dog Bite Statute of Limitations
As with other types of personal injury claims, there is a Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Lawsuits in Florida. For injuries occurring after March 24, 2023, victims have two years from the date of the attack/injury to file a civil lawsuit. For injuries that occurred before March 24, 2023, victims have four years from the date of their injury to file a civil lawsuit. There are very few exceptions, and in most cases, if you do not file a lawsuit within the allowed period, you will lose your right to recover compensation.
The sooner you contact our Orlando dog bite lawyers, better. When you hire our firm, we will immediately begin gathering evidence and putting together a powerful case that outlines the full extent of your damages, including your current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. At NeJame Law, we fight for maximum compensation for our clients, while providing the attentive and personalized support they need and deserve.
Contact Our Orlando Dog Injury Lawyers Today
We know that nothing can deny the trauma of being bitten by a dog or the incredible loss of losing a child or loved one to a dog attack. At NeJame Law, we believe that dog owners, handlers, and trainers should be held accountable when their pets injure and kill others, and we have seen firsthand how a fair settlement or verdict can allow victims to heal. We care deeply about our customers and our community. At NeJame Law, we strive to hold dog owners accountable not only to ensure our clients receive the fair compensation they are owed, but also to help promote a better, safer community for everyone. If you have been injured or a loved one has died due to a dog bite or attack, turn to our team for the caring defense and aggressive representation you need.
We provide free consultations and contingency fees, so you owe nothing unless/until we recover compensation for you. Call (407) 500-0000 or send us a message using the online form provided on this page to get started.
2024-01-10 07:10:19
#Dog #Bite #Lawyers #Orlando #Florida
