Professional Summerfield Dog Bite Attorney Advocating for Victims
A dog attack can affect every aspect of your life. You may be dealing with painful dog bites, expensive medical bills, an inability to work, mental anguish, or a newfound fear of dogs. A Summerfield personal injury lawyer from Meldon Law can help you get justice after suffering a dog bite injury in Summerfield, FL. Florida law allows victims to hold a dog’s owner accountable and recover compensation.
Call our team as soon as possible after a dog attack and learn how our Summerfield dog bite lawyer can fight for the money you deserve. We provide free consultations for victims and their families. Contact us today to learn more about what an attorney from our team can do for you during a free consultation.
What Damages Will a Summerfield Dog Bite Attorney Pursue in My Case?
Dog bite case values vary from claim to claim. Each victim suffers unique injuries and incurs different expenses and losses. However, we commonly recover the following damages for our clients:
- Economic Damages: These are the current and future expenses and losses suffered by dog bite victims, including medical bills, income losses, and other expenses.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are the intangible losses experienced because of a dog bite, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses.
We can also help if you lost a loved one to a dog attack. We know that compensation can’t bring your loved one back, but a wrongful death claim could give you the time to grieve without worrying about expenses. You could recover compensation for the expenses and losses you experienced because of the passing of your spouse, parent, or child.
Our attorneys handle these cases regularly. We know how to identify and document dog bite damages. We can document your damages and help you build a compelling case to recover money for them.
Dog Bite Injury in Summerfield? Let Our Lawyer Fight for Your Rights!
Call UsWork With Our Summerfield Personal Injury Team for Your Dog Bite Case
At Meldon Law, we understand that recovering the compensation you need to pay for your medical care and other expenses is of the utmost importance. We want to help you seek and secure the money you need and deserve based on your injuries. We won’t back down.
When we take on your case, we want to ensure you get answers to your questions and have all the information you need to know what to expect and make the best decisions for you and your family. Our skill, experience, knowledge, and resources are the keys to pursuing the compensation you deserve in a Summerfield dog bite case.
As you can see from our recent case results, we fight for the full range of damages our clients deserve. One of our dog bite cases resulted in a $150,000 settlement for a woman who suffered lacerations to her face, lips, and legs. We work based on contingency, never asking any client to pay upfront fees or costs. You can learn more during a free consultation with our team. Contact us today to get started.
Our Summerfield Attorneys Know How Florida Dog Bite Laws Work
Florida has strong laws to protect dog bite victims. Under Florida Statute § 767.04, dog owners are strictly liable for dog bite injuries. Under this statute, it does not matter whether or not the dog has a history of threatening or vicious behavior. While some states require proof the owner was aware of the dog’s propensity to act aggressively, Florida does not.
However, this does not necessarily make it easy to recover the compensation you need and deserve after an attack. We still need to build a compelling case and present strong evidence.
Dog bites are often covered by homeowners insurance policies. We file a claim based on the dog owner’s policy and demand fair compensation. Insurers often try to downplay the severity of the injury, claim the victim provoked the attack, or undervalue the claim. This is why we must provide a compelling case to document what occurred and the injuries suffered.
Let Our Summerfield Dog Bite Lawyer Build a Compelling Case for You
To win a dog bite case and recover compensation, we need to show:
- The accused party owned or had direct control of the dog.
- The dog bit you without provocation.
- You suffered injuries and incurred expenses and losses.
This requires us to identify, collect, and analyze evidence and present a convincing case to the insurance company, judge, or jury. The evidence in these cases commonly includes:
- Official reports about the attack from Marion County Animal Services officers or responding police
- Your relevant medical records from treatment at an urgent care or emergency room, such as Santos Primary and Urgent Care or HCA Florida Summerfield Emergency
- Video of the attack
- Photos of injuries, the dog, and the scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony about your injuries and future care costs
- Documented damages
Our injury attorneys know how to present evidence and support a demand for fair compensation. We can often negotiate a settlement with insurance adjusters in these cases, settling them without needing to take the case to trial.
When necessary, we will litigate a serious injury case to recover the money our client needs. This requires us to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner and take the case to trial. We present the evidence and strong arguments for liability before asking the jury to award fair compensation. Our trial attorneys will manage this process and ensure you know what to expect every step of the way.
Your Attorney Can Ensure You Meet All Summerfield Dog Bite Case Deadlines
Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, dog bite victims have two years to file the complaint with the appropriate court. Missing this deadline could mean being barred from taking the case to trial and recovering compensation. As long as we know about your Summerfield injury case in time, we will ensure you meet this deadline.
Contact our team of lawyers as soon as possible after your injuries. This gives us the best opportunity to build a strong case and negotiate or litigate for maximum compensation based on the facts of your case.
Summerfield Dog Bite FAQs
Can I sue a landlord in Summerfield if a tenant’s dog attacked me on the property?
Yes, you may be able to hold a landlord liable in Summerfield if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack from occurring. Florida law allows property owners to be held accountable under certain premises liability circumstances, especially if the landlord had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior or allowed it to stay on the premises despite safety concerns. A Summerfield dog bite lawyer from Meldon Law can evaluate the facts and determine whether a landlord or other third party shares liability.
How do insurance companies typically handle dog bite claims in Florida?
Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies often cover dog bite liability in Florida, but insurance adjusters will look for ways to reduce or deny your claim. They might argue that you provoked the dog, were trespassing, or exaggerated the extent of your injuries. That’s why working with a Summerfield dog bite lawyer is essential. Our team knows how to counter these tactics, present clear evidence of your damages, and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement from the dog owner’s insurance provider.
Can I file a claim if my child was bitten by a dog in Summerfield?
Yes, Florida law permits parents or legal guardians to pursue a personal injury claim on behalf of a child who a dog bite has injured has injured. Children are often more vulnerable to severe bite injuries and emotional trauma, and they are less likely to be found partially at fault. A Summerfield dog bite attorney at Meldon Law will help you seek full compensation for your child’s medical care, pain and suffering, psychological impact, and any future care needs. We’ll also ensure any settlement is structured appropriately for the child’s long-term benefit.
Are there leash laws in Summerfield or Marion County that affect dog bite liability?
Yes, Marion County enforces leash laws requiring dogs to be under control at all times when off their owner’s property. Violating these local ordinances can help establish negligence in a dog bite claim. If a dog owner allowed their pet to roam freely or escape an enclosure, and that dog attacked you, their failure to follow local leash laws may strengthen your case. Meldon Law’s Summerfield dog bite lawyers understand how to leverage these violations when building a strong claim.
See How a Summerfield Dog Bite Lawyer From Our Team Can Help
Meldon Law offers free initial case consultations. Our team can review the facts of your case and help you understand your options for recovering compensation. Our Summerfield dog bite lawyer represents victims and their families in these cases.
Contact us today for your free consultation with our team.
