Dog Bite Attorney
Dog Bite Attorney Overview
Dog attacks are some of the most traumatic types of personal injury cases. The victim is usually not expecting an attack and has no opportunity to guard against it. Almost every dog bite case happens fast and without warning. Depending on the size and the breed of the dog, the victim may be powerless to stop the dog without the help of other people nearby. These attacks are often associated with permanent injuries including nerve damage, infections, scarring, and disfigurement. They are to be taken seriously, which is why Florida imposes strict liability against owners for any damage caused by dog bites. Retain a dog bite attorney quickly to preserve your rights and remedies at law if you have a potential case.
There is no requirement that the dog owner had prior notice the animal could be aggressive. There is no requirement that the dog was ever aggressive prior to the incident, in fact.
Dog attack Responsibility
Business and landowners are responsible for dog bites that occur on their property under principles of negligence. For instance, an attack in a lobby of a condominium where dogs are not allowed in the first place. In such a case, the condominium would owe a duty to persons lawfully on its premises to enforce its rules and prevent attacks from happening to begin with. In spite of all the above, a bite victim can share in the responsibility for an attack if they provoked the dog to bite. Victims who knowingly expose themselves to a dog they knew was dangerous also share in fault. This is known as comparative negligence in Florida.
Acting quickly after an attack is absolutely necessary if you are a victim. You must get medical treatment as soon as possible not only to prevent infection, but to document the severity of the injuries. Take pictures of the bite and if possible, the attacking animal. Some breeds are more known to be aggressive than others. Identify any witnesses and get their contact information for later. You should also identify the dog owner or owners and the address where it happened.
Damages for Dog Bites
Dog bite accident victims can recover their full medical costs, lost time from work, and non-economic losses such as mental anguish, anxiety, PTSD, and suffering which can last long after the attack is done. Obtaining compensation for those damages will be highly dependent on the circumstances and location of the attack, however. Many dog attacks happen at public parks or on the street. Dog owners as individuals may not have the ability to pay for damages even though they are legally responsible for their animal’s behavior. Compensation is highly dependent on identifying if the dog owner has a policy of insurance – like homeowner’s insurance – which covers animal attacks.
Summary
While these cases have some of the worst damages they are usually the hardest to pursue because of the difficulties in finding coverage. It’s highly advisable to get a dog bite attorney retained as early as possible to identify the best path forward for your case.
The team at Santana Injury Law can get to work today on your claim and get you the most compensation for your injuries. Call now for a free consultation with an experienced dog bite attorney.
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