Dog Bite Attorney in Hallandale Beach, FL
Dog owners have a responsibility to look after their pets in a way that protects both the animal and the community at large. If you were attacked after a negligent owner failed to obey the law, our Hallandale Beach personal injury lawyers want to hold that dog owner accountable for your losses.
Our Hallandale Beach dog bite attorneys believe that, when it comes to filing a legal action, nothing is more important than experience, skill, and knowledge. Our firm has all three and can apply them to your case. Call now and pay nothing until we win.
Get the Compensation You Deserve – Talk to a Hallandale Beach Dog Bite Lawyer Now!
Call UsWe Can Seek Compensation From the At-Fault Party
Who pays your damages after a dog bite? Usually, it is the dog’s owner. Occasionally, another person responsible for the dog (such as a dog sitter) or a product manufacturer (such as a company that sold faulty leashes or fencing that allowed the dog to break free) is liable.
Our personal injury attorneys meticulously investigate each and every case we take on. Once we know for sure who to hold accountable, we can take all appropriate legal action on your behalf, including:
- Explaining what your rights are and how we can help you protect them
- Taking the time to answer all of your legal questions
- Communicating with the at-fault party and their representatives, and relaying all messages between you and them
- Taking care of all paperwork associated with the case
- Negotiating hard for a settlement that meets all of your past, present, and future needs
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
For Meldon Law, representing personal injury victims is more than just a job. It is our calling. Call today for a free consultation.
Damages Can Help You Rebuild Your Life After a Dog Bite
An event like this causes considerable physical and emotional pain, in addition to devastating financial losses. You should not have to cope with this on your own. The dog’s owner should pay for the damage their negligence caused, and our attorneys can help you pursue that money.
The compensation you get from the liable party can cover your bills and monetary losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses
You can also recover damages for intangible losses that do not come with a bill or receipt. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
- Disability
- Scarring
How much your dog bite case is worth depends on the effects the accident has had or will have on your life. For example, if your medical care cost $75,000, then you could be eligible for $75,000 in compensation for that care. If you require long-term care that medical experts estimate will cost $500,000, then our attorneys can seek that amount.
What the Law Says About Dog Attacks in Hallandale Beach
Both local and state laws will have an impact on your dog bite case.
For example, under Sec. 6-1.1 of the Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, pet dogs (as opposed to those used for law enforcement or rescue purposes) must be kept restrained at all times. This could mean keeping the dog on a leash or within a fenced-in area. If the owner fails to do so, they could be fined. They may also be forced to pay restitution if the dog does any damage while unrestrained.
If a dog is deemed to be “dangerous,” defined as “a dog that bites, inflicts injury on, kills or otherwise attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation on any public or private property,” the rules are even more stringent. Owners who fail to protect the public from a dangerous dog can and should be held accountable.
When our personal injury lawyers investigate your case, we can look for evidence to show whether or not the dog’s owner obeyed laws like these—and, if they did not, we can use that fact to fight for the damages you need.
What Does “Provocation” Mean?
A dog is only considered dangerous if it attacks someone “without provocation.” Provocation could be any action that the dog views as threatening or upsetting, such as:
- Breaking into or attempting to break into the dog owner’s property illegally
- Committing or attempting to commit a crime
- Physically attacking or abusing the dog
If someone is bitten by a dog they provoked in such a manner, then the dog would not be considered dangerous: the dog was just trying to defend itself in the face of hostile behavior. However, if you were simply walking down the street or legally visiting the owner’s home or business, then the dog’s actions were “without provocation.”
Our lawyers can also seek out a variety of evidence to show you did nothing to provoke the dog, including witness testimony, any available video footage of the attack, or prior complaints leveled against the dog or its owner.
Who Can Sue After a Dog Bite?
If you were attacked by a dog that you did not provoke, you have the right to file a claim or a lawsuit on your own behalf. You can also file a case on behalf of your child, if they were attacked without cause, or on behalf of a deceased loved one who did not survive their injuries.
At Meldon Law, we understand that your family’s future depends on the outcome of this case, so we can take on your fight like it was our own. Take all of the time you need to recover from this traumatic event while we advocate for your rights.
Get Justice After a Dog Bite in Hallandale Beach
Meldon Law has been helping people like you seek justice and fair compensation since 1971. Let our Hallandale Beach dog bite lawyers put that experience to work in your case starting today. Call now and get a free case evaluation from a member of our team.
