Any dog can bite a victim and cause him or her to suffer an injury. This is true of all breeds and dogs of all temperaments. Dog bites can cause victims to suffer substantial damages, like steep medical bills and the development of mental disorders, such as anxiety around dogs. When a victim suffers damages because of a dog bite, he or she may pursue compensation for these damages through a dog bite claim, contact our lawyers today.
Dog Bite Injuries
The most obvious injury a dog bite can cause is a deep cut. Other injuries can include:
- Soft tissue injuries, like muscle tears;
- Nerve damage; and
- Broken bones.
If you are bitten by a dog, clean the wound thoroughly and cover it with a clean bandage as soon as possible. Then, seek medical attention for the wound. An untreated dog bite can become infected, which can put you at risk of developing new conditions, like sepsis.
Who is Liable for Dog Bite Damages in Florida?
In Florida, dog owners have strict liability for the damages their dogs inflict through bites. This means that when a dog bites a victim, the dog’s owner is liable for the victim’s damages regardless of whether he or she knew the dog to be dangerous or if the dog had bitten anybody previously.
There are two exceptions to this law: when the bite victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property and when the bite victim’s own negligence partially or completely caused the bite. When a dog bites a trespasser, the trespasser is not entitled to recover monetary compensation for his or her damages. When a victim is somewhat at fault for his or her incident, he or she may recover a reduced amount of compensation for his or her damages. The reduced amount is calculated according to Florida’s comparative fault law.
If you file a dog bite claim and the dog’s owner disputes your claim, you must provide evidence to support your claim and dispute his or her allegations. For example, if the dog’s owner alleges that you were trespassing on his or her property when you were, in fact, an invited guest to the property, evidence you can use to support your claim may include testimonies from others invited on the same day and documentation of your invitation to the dog owner’s property, such as a screenshot of a Facebook invitation or a copy of your paper invitation.
A dog’s owner is also not liable for a victim’s damages if he or she conspicuously displayed a warning about the dog on his or her property when the injury occurred unless the victim is under the age of six.
Work with an Experienced Stuart Dog Bite Lawyer
If you are facing financial damages after being bitten by a dog, you may pursue monetary compensation for your related damages through a dog bite claim. To learn more about this process and to discuss your case in greater detail, contact Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. today to set up your legal consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We can answer all of your questions and help you develop realistic expectations for your case.