Florida Dog Bite Lawyer
Even the most loyal dog can cause devastating personal injuries if the owner refuses to take care of them properly. Individuals who suffer a dog bite can end up with significant wounds and expenses, usually through no fault of their own. A Florida lawyer from our law firm can help you fight for the financial compensation you need to recover.
If you have been injured by a dog bite, our compassionate, success-driven Florida personal injury lawyers at Meldon Law want to help you by discussing the legal remedies you may be able to pursue. Call now for a free case review.
How Our Florida Attorneys Help Dog Bite Victims
Every owner has a duty to ensure that their dog does not pose imminent harm to anyone. That is why, if you have suffered injuries due to an animal attack, you can call our Florida dog bite attorneys. We are familiar with dog bite litigation and can take swift action to provide the legal help that you need.
We can help you determine:
- Damages: Often, the insurance company and the dog owner do not want to admit fault, or they try to pay compensation that is significantly less than your damages. You cannot take this chance. We go after the damages that you require to cover all of your expenses and medical costs.
- Who bears liability: In certain instances, more people are at fault for the dog bite than just the dog’s owner. Our attorneys investigate the accident and help you go after the people at fault for the incident, potentially including the landlord, the dog’s rescue group, and even anyone who co-owns the dog.
- How to handle your case: Should you try negotiating a fair settlement first, or will you have to take your case directly to court? Every case is different and requires a unique approach. We can figure out what needs to be done in your case and then do it.
Our Florida Law Firm Works Closely With Dog Bite Survivors
At Meldon Law, we represent clients by, first and foremost, educating them about their rights. We take plenty of time with each client, answering their questions and providing informational materials to help them:
- Understand all of the legal options available to them
- Explore the pros and cons of each option
- Make decisions about their case that will help them achieve their goals and fulfill their immediate and long-term needs
We Manage Dog Bite Lawsuits on Our Clients’ Behalf
With our legal team on the job, you do not have to worry about performing any legal task by yourself. One of our Florida dog bite lawyers can handle absolutely everything, including:
- Collecting evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability
- Assessing the financial value of your case
- Contacting the insurance company and negotiating for a settlement
- Representing you in the courtroom, if it comes to that
- Managing all paperwork and communications with other parties
Damages You Can Pursue for a Florida Dog Bite
You are all too aware of the ways in which a dog bite can change your life. Our personal injury attorneys can go after negligent dog owners and push their insurance companies to pay fair damages for:
- The cost of past and future medical care
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Other financial losses, such as the cost of hiring others to take care of your children or house (if you do not normally hire people for that purpose)
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
What Damages Should You Seek for a Dog Bite Injury?
That is one of the very first questions we can answer for you after you hire Meldon Law. Our team meticulously investigates each case to make sure we fight for what our clients really need.
As an example, in one dog bite case, we recovered $150,000 for a client who was attacked by a vicious dog while jogging. Each case is different, and we can figure out exactly how much you are eligible for after we look into your injury.
Florida Law and Your Dog Bite Case
One of the things our firm can teach you about are the various state and local laws that may influence your case. These include:
Florida’s Dog Bite Liability Law
Under Florida Statutes § 767.04, you can recover compensation even if the dog’s owner did not know the dog had aggressive tendencies and did nothing wrong. If the owner did know about the dog’s propensity to bite, then you may also have a claim against the dog’s owner based on their negligent failure to prevent the injury by:
- Posting warning signs on their property
- Keeping the dog leashed or otherwise restrained
- Taking other safety measures required by state and local laws
In addition to state laws, communities throughout Florida often enact their own policies regarding vicious dogs and dog bites. We can tell you more about the dog bite laws in your area.
Florida’s Deadline on Personal Injury Cases
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you only have so much time to file a lawsuit against a negligent dog owner. Failure to meet this deadline could jeopardize your legal action.
Call Meldon Law today to protect your rights. We can assess your case for free and tell you about the many different ways that our dog bite attorneys in Florida can represent you.
What Do You Do After a Dog Bite in Florida?
Dog bites are all too common in our state. According to the Florida Department of Health, over 600 people in Florida are hospitalized every year because of dog bite injuries. An average of two Floridians die from fatal dog bites each year as well.
It is essential to remember that, as a victim of such an attack, you do have certain rights. By taking the following actions, you can help ensure that your rights—and, most important of all, your health—are protected.
Seek Medical Attention for Dog Bite Injuries
Even if you think that the bite is not extreme, it is still vital to seek medical attention. By having a doctor examine you as soon as possible, you minimize your risk of infection and severe scarring.
In addition, getting your wounds on record can help your claim against the insurance company or the dog’s owner later on.
Verify Vaccinations After a Dog Attack
For your safety, if the owner is present, make sure you verify whether the dog had all the proper vaccinations required by state and local law. Also, if possible, try to find out if the dog has ever bitten anyone before.
Collect Evidence of Your Florida Dog Bite
After a dog bite incident, collect as much evidence as possible without jeopardizing your health. You can:
- Take photos or a video of the dog bite scene, including any visible injuries you have
- Write down the names and phone numbers of witnesses so that they can provide a statement later, if needed
- Call the police to file a report so that they can collect information about the incident as well
Watch What You Say About Your Florida Dog Attack
After filing a claim, the insurance company will contact you to get more information about the incident. Even though it may seem like they are trying to help, their goal is to save themselves money. They will try to obtain information that makes it sound like you bear some fault for the accident, which will allow them to reduce the amount that they have to pay you.
Remember, when the insurance company calls, you do not have to discuss anything with them. Inform them that an attorney from Meldon Law can answer their questions.
What Injuries Result From Dog Bites?
Each dog bite injury is unique. However, some frequent dog bite injuries include:
- Torn ligaments or muscles
- Lacerations
- Bruising
- Facial disfigurement
- Severe flesh wounds
Who Is Most Susceptible to Dog Bite Injuries?
While dog bites can be painful for victims of any age, certain populations are more likely to sustain severe injuries after an attack. For example:
- Older individuals may find it much harder to recover from a dog bite than a younger person would.
- For people with a preexisting health condition, a dog bite can more easily lead to a debilitating injury.
- According to the Florida Department of Health, children younger than 10 are the most common dog bite victims.
No one deserves to be bitten by a vicious dog. Meldon Law can handle your case with integrity and compassion as we fight to hold the negligent owner accountable.
Our Dog Bite Attorneys Have Served Florida Since 1971
At Meldon Law, you deserve justice, and we fight to get that for you. If you have suffered a dog bite, we want to provide you with the answers and assistance that you deserve. With over two decades of personal injury experience, dedication, and legal skill, we fight for Florida’s injured.
To learn what our Florida dog bite lawyers can do for you, call today for your free consultation.
