If a dog has bitten you in Florida, the law is on your side. In Florida, dog owners are strictly liable to the victim for dog bite injuries. That means the dog bite victim does not have to prove their injuries were a result of an owner’s negligence. Dog bites seem to involve children more than other types of injury cases. Here a few steps you can take after being bitten by a dog:
- Remove yourself from the threat as quickly as possible.
- Get all information from the dog owner, landlord (and/or premises) where the dog resides – it’s important to gather as much information and evidence as possible of the attack. Take photos and record as many details as you can.
- Call 911 for medical help. Dog bites have a higher rate of infection and even disease if the dog has not had their shots. Save all paperwork from your medical review.
- Call animal control, if needed, to make sure that the dog is not a danger to others and has had all applicable shots.
- Contact an attorney – The medical expenses associated with a dog bite can be extremely costly, especially in the event of a scarring or psychological injury related to the bite. If you or a loved one has been injured in an incident involving a dog, Cappy Law is here to help give you the information you need to receive compensation you deserve.
How does the process work?
It’s important that you first seek medical attention after your injury and report the incident to the county for animal control purposes. In your initial case evaluation, we’ll review all of the information collected thus far, and photos from the incident. Our team will start the process by finding the location where the dog is being housed.
Strict liability, under Florida law ensures that dog owners are held liable to the victim for dog bite injuries, regardless of former recorded viciousness, or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. In some circumstances, a landlord may also be held liable for the damages caused by his tenants’s dog. If the owner was not present at the time of the attack, the dog’s “keeper,” or the person who was taking care of the animal at the time of the attack, may also be held liable. The following damages could be covered by the defendant:
- All past and future medical expenses
- All past lost wages and any future loss of earning capacity
- All past and future pain and mental suffering
- Damages for all scarring
