Ocala Dog Bite Lawyer
When people hear about someone getting bitten by a dog, they often picture a large dog breed, like a pitbull or rottweiler. However, even family dogs, such as Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, can inflict serious injuries. Anyone can suffer harm, and the injuries can be substantial, causing scarring, disfigurement, and even death.
If an aggressive dog bit you or a loved one, you have financial recovery options. Meldon Law can compel compensation from the liable party and advocate for a fair outcome. An Ocala dog bite lawyer can investigate your case, gather supporting evidence, and champion your rights.
To begin a free, no-strings-attached case review, call (352) 373-8000.
It Costs You Nothing Out of Pocket to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Meldon Law operates on a contingency-fee basis, which makes legal help accessible to personal injury clients. We charge nothing upfront or out of pocket. We don’t charge retainers or by-the-service rates, either. At the conclusion of your case, a portion of your settlement pays for our time and efforts. You can learn more about this arrangement when you consult with our firm.
You Have Legal Rights as a Dog Bite Claimant in Florida
Under Florida Statute § 767.04, if a dog bites and injures someone, the dog’s owner is liable. Florida is a strict liability state, so this means that the dog owner can be financially responsible, even if the dog didn’t have a history of aggression.
Still, recovering damages isn’t as straightforward as you might think. For instance, these two elements must apply:
- The dog bit you.
- You were lawfully in a public or private place.
We need evidence to support your case. But don’t worry; you don’t have to run around town gathering these items on your own. Your lawyer can gather eyewitness testimony, your medical records, and any other relevant information to substantiate your claim.
You Must Act Within Florida’s Statutory Deadline for Dog Bite Cases
While you have rights as a dog bite claimant, you must act within Florida’s statute of limitations. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Some exceptions could apply, giving you more time to act. Yet, you shouldn’t make any assumptions about your options without consulting our legal team first.
If you miss the filing window, you could lose the right to seek damages. That means the full cost of your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses would fall to you. Don’t let another party’s animal inflict financial hardship on your family. With prompt notification, we can file your case, gather much-needed evidence, and advocate for what you deserve.
What Sets Meldon Law Apart From Other Ocala Dog Bite Firms?
For us, fighting for compensation is more than a job; it’s a calling. Every morning, we wake up excited to advocate for injured people and their loved ones. We believe that our advocacy makes Ocala and the surrounding communities a safer place.
We are driven by:
- Compassion. We treat your case as though it involves us personally. Your lawyer puts themselves in your shoes when building your case, presenting the strongest possible claim to the responsible party.
- Accountability. There’s nothing more frustrating than partnering with a lawyer who doesn’t return your messages. That’s not a worry with Meldon Law. We hold ourselves accountable for everything that happens with your case.
- Reliability. When we make a promise, we stand by it. When we say we’ll call at a certain time, don’t be surprised if your phone rings a few minutes before our scheduled meeting. We stand by our word and our pledge to resolve your case.
- Excellence. Since 1971, we’ve recovered million-dollar outcomes for injured people. You can trust that when we take your case, we focus our full time and attention on its success.
Trust Meldon Law’s Dog Bite Lawyers to Seek Financial Justice
Recoverable damages in dog bite cases differ depending on several variables, including the seriousness of the injuries and the specific circumstances involved. Your settlement could comprise economic damages, which intend to account for the financial effect of your dog bite. Examples include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medication, physical therapy, and doctors’ visits
- Income lost during your recovery period, including tips, bonuses, benefits, and salary
- Property damage costs, if the bite resulted in damage to the victim’s property, such as torn clothing or broken glasses
- Anything you spent out of pocket, such as on medical supplies or assistive devices
Non-economic damages compensate the victim for the physical and emotional effects of their injury on their life. Depending on your situation, you could recover:
- Pain and suffering, which accounts for physical pain and emotional anguish caused by the dog bite and its aftereffects
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if you cannot participate in activities or enjoy life as you did before the incident
- Loss of consortium, if injuries from the dog bite affect your relationships with your spouse or family members
If you were bitten by a dog, we encourage you to consult with an Ocala dog bite attorney. They can identify and calculate your losses.
You Could Recover Damages Through an Insurance Settlement
Some homeowners’ or rental insurance policies provide coverage for dog bites. If this is an option in your case, we could resolve your case through negotiations with the liable insurance provider. We aim to recover a settlement by:
- Presenting compelling evidence
- Demonstrating the details of the attack
- Calculating your losses and submitting a demand letter
- Keeping the insurance company to its obligations
- Negotiating a settlement
- Protecting you from bad faith insurance providers
We also follow the insurance company’s deadlines, so there’s no dispute over the timeliness of your case.
You Could Seek Damages Through a Lawsuit
Although we resolve most dog bite cases through negotiated settlements, we may have to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Here, we identify the liable party and sue them in civil court. This requires our team to:
- Take depositions
- Partake in jury selection
- File your lawsuit in accordance with the statute of limitations
- Communicate with the involved parties
- Exchange evidence with the other party’s legal team (as required)
An Ocala dog bite lawyer from Meldon Law takes on your case’s responsibilities from beginning to end. In a time like this, you only have to worry about healing from your injuries. In the meantime, we take care of everything else.
Listen to What Others Share About Our Personal Injury Lawyers
We’re a fabric of the communities we serve, as evidenced by the testimonials previous clients leave behind:
- “My team with Meldon Law was awesome and were really helpful during a difficult time in my life. They showed how much they cared and took their time to explain the process to me. I’m happy I chose them to help me with my case.”
- “I go to Meldon Law for any legal advice that may come up. Everyone I have spoken to there has been extremely nice and helpful, and Jessica Thomason particularly has helped me with many questions over the years. I trust Meldon Law and would refer anyone I know that needs legal representation to them.”
- “Meldon Law is great. Whenever I have a legal question I know I can depend on Jeffrey Meldon and Jessica Thomason to give educated and trusted advice on the situation. I refer my friends and family to them and they will always be the first place I go if I ever need legal representation…”
We Combat Any Allegations of Wrongdoing in Your Ocala Dog Bite Case
If a dangerous dog bit you, the owner may blame you for what happened. They may allege that:
- You provoked the dog.
- You were illegally on the dog owner’s property.
We don’t have patience for baseless accusations. We use evidence to counter any accusations that you provoked the dog or otherwise don’t deserve damages.
We Advocate for Dog Bite Claimants With These Injuries in Ocala
A dog attack can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. Some common injuries include the following:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Brain injuries
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Infections
A dog attack can also cause emotional anguish, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We account for each of these things in your case’s value. The more severe your condition, the more money we can request from the liable party.
Contact an Ocala Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, you could file a claim for compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law can assess your case and manage its many obligations. We offer comprehensive legal support. Plain and simple. Call (352) 373-8000 to learn about working with an Ocala dog bite attorney.
