I was just bitten by my neighbors dog. The dog had never bitten anyone before, is the owner responsible?

 

A:

States have different laws regarding responsibility for dog bites.
 
Some states have a rule that a person is not responsible the first time their dog bites someone, since they didn't have prior knowledge.  Florida is different.  In Florida, even if it is the first bite, the dog owner is responsible.  This concept is called, "strict liability". 

 If you are biten by a dog you can be compenstated for:
Your medical bills,
Your pain and suffering,
Any disfigurement or scaring cause by the bite
Any psychological trauma caused by the attack

Jeffrey Meldon Tip:    If you own a dog, make sure you have a homeowner's policy or renters insurance that covers dog bites.  Many homeowner's policies exclude liability coverage related to dog bites, others will exclude coverage based on the breed.
Jeffrey Meldon Tip:    "Don't hide your dog from your insurance agent.  Find out if you are protected and if your dog is a breed that is covered."

Something to be aware of is:  If you or your child are mauled by someone else’s dog, you may never see a penny because your own homeowner’s policy will not cover you for someone else’s negligence; Florida has limits regarding victims’ rights to go after assets of people.




I am local Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, and I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of and/or recovery from a serious accident. 

My Office and I take pride in our work, and the results we get for our clients.  

The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury lawyers, litigators and trial lawyers that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 37 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in their practice as accident attorneys.

We have been proudly representing injured accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Daytona Beach, Dunnellon, Palatka, The Villages, and Alachua County, Marion County, Columbia County, Citrus County, Volusia County, Sumter County, Putnam County  and the entire North and Central Florida since 1971.

For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact my Office at 1 800 373 8000.