Orlando Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in Florida. Indeed, many people treat their dog as a member of the family, no different than a child.

Unfortunately, dogs have sharp teeth that can slice into a person’s skin, causing nerve damage and disfiguring injuries. Dogs can also attack out of the blue when you least expect it. You might have the right to seek financial compensation.

Our legal team can bring a dog bite lawsuit against a dog owner or other defendant, but we want to learn more about the incident. An Orlando dog bite lawyer can meet for a free consultation.

Who is Responsible for the Dog Bite?

Anyone bitten by a dog should meet with an Orlando dog bite attorney to review the accident. We can use our experience to identify whether you can sue someone.

A Dog Owner’s Liability for Dog Bites

Florida Statute § 767.04 makes a dog owner liable when:

• A dog bites a person, and
• The victim is in a public place or was lawfully on private property.

The law makes an owner strictly liable without regard to whether the dog has a history of viciousness. This could be the first time a dog bit someone—and that’s enough.

A common situation arises when you are visiting friends or family and the dog suddenly bites you. Postal workers can also suffer a bite when they are trying to deliver mail or a package. This statute allows them to bring a claim against the owner.

A dog owner has various defenses under the statute:

• The victim was trespassing. If you have no legal right to be on the property, then you cannot seek compensation for the dog bite.
• The victim’s negligence contributed to the bite. A dog owner can reduce their share of liability by pointing to the defendant’s negligence.
• The owner displayed a sign warning that the dog is aggressive. The law also carves out an exception for dog owners who display a sign, even when the victim is lawfully on the property. This exception doesn’t apply if the victim is under six years of age, or the owner was negligent.

A Dog Owner’s Liability for Non-Bites

A dog might injure you without biting. For example, a large dog could jump up and knock you over, causing you to strike your head on the ground. This type of accident can lead to serious injuries even though you were not bitten.

Fla. Stat. § 767.01 makes owners liable for “any damage” to a person or animal, so you can seek compensation when a dog injures you without actually biting you. Our Orlando dog bite lawyer can explain more in a consultation.

Can a Non-Owner Be Liable for a Dog Bite?

Yes, if they were negligent. For example, a person might rent an apartment and keep the dog in the backyard. If the landlord lets the fence fall or refuses to fix a hole in it, then they could be liable if the dog escapes and bites someone. Similarly, someone hired to walk the dog could fail to reasonably restrain the animal, which then bites someone on the sidewalk.

To succeed, a victim must show the defendant was responsible for the dog at the time of the attack and their failure to act reasonably led to injuries. An Orlando dog bite lawyer is happy to review the facts to check if you can file a negligence claim.

Receiving Fair Compensation for a Dog Bite

These incidents cause intense stress and often require expensive medical assistance. Many dog bite victims rack up thousands of dollars in emergency medical treatment. Call our office to speak with a dog bite lawyer Orlando about possible compensation for a bite or other injury.

Our firm can seek compensatory damages for:

• Emergency medical care. Some victims are mauled and require ambulance transportation. You can receive compensation for emergency surgery, diagnostic tests, and time in the Intensive Care Unit.
• Ongoing treatment. Suturing a wound is not the end of medical treatment. Many patients need continuing treatment, including antibiotics, pain management, and physical therapy.
• Loss of income. Dog injuries are so painful that few people can head right back to work. Instead, they spend weeks or months at home trying to recover. You should receive financial compensation for any loss of income.
• Property damage. A dog might have killed or wounded your pet. Under the law, pets are personal property, so you could seek damages for any medical treatment for your wounded pet or even the cost of buying a new one.
• Pain and suffering. Wounds remain tender for months, and many people are stuck inside as they try to heal. This type of pain and suffering deserves compensation under Florida law, and our dog bite lawyer Orlando seeks the maximum available.
• Emotional distress. The emotional side of dog bites is overlooked. Young children might struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder after an attack, and many dog bite victims slip into depression. If you suffered disfiguring injuries, then we can request compensation for them.

Speak with an Orlando dog bite lawyer about your case. Our firm can review recent dog bite settlements and jury verdicts in Orlando. Our team has won millions of dollars for personal injury clients.

Can You Afford Our Services?

Many people in Orlando are struggling financially with the high costs of living. Utilities, rent, and educational expenses are straining everyone’s wallets. Even worse, after a dog bite or attack, they have expensive medical bills. Many people say they would like to hire an Orlando dog bite attorney, but they just can’t afford the expense at this moment.

JustCallMoe. We work on contingency fee agreements for personal injury clients. We can meet for a consultation to get a feel for whether you have a solid legal claim against a dog owner or another defendant. If hired, we will jump in and start gathering evidence—all without any upfront cost to you. Instead, we only agree to accept a portion of any settlement or court award if we end up winning your case. It’s that easy!

The dog owner is probably defended by a lawyer from their insurance company, so you should never try to handle your own case. That’s a good way to end up with far less compensation than you deserve.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Dog bite victims should move quickly to call our office. Florida law gives victims either 2 or 4 years to file a lawsuit, depending on their case and the type of legal claim they bring. The clock is already ticking!

JustCallMoe today and schedule a consultation. We can talk about the accident and your injuries before analyzing the strength of your case.