Dog Attacks and Dog Bites

Dog bites and dog attacks are a concern, not only in Florida but throughout the nation. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by a dog each year, with approximately 800,000 victims requiring medical attention. This figure is astounding in comparison to the U.S. population. Dog bite incidence rates are underestimated, as many are never reported.

The legal team at Alba & Straile PLLC believes that promoting awareness and seeking just compensation for victims will reduce such tragic and often avoidable accidents.

Most unfortunate of all is that many animal attacks are preventable. Far too often, dog attacks occur due to a person’s failure to secure a dog within their custody and control appropriately. It is particularly true in the case of dangerous and vicious dogs. Fortunately, under Florida law, a victim may generally recover for injuries sustained from a dog bite, even if the dog’s owner is unaware of the dog’s aggressive, vicious, or dangerous propensities.

Just a few of the types of Dog Attacks & Dog Bites cases we represent are:

• Wrongful death claims
• Premises liability claims
• Personal injury claims

In the above, we fight for justice by winning claims against dog owners, business owners, landlords, pet sitters, dog walkers, and their insurance carriers, as appropriate. Common injuries include dog bite infections, scarring, disfigurement, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

Florida is one of 35 states to hold dog owners strictly liable for injury or death caused by a dog attack. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 767.04, which provides in part:

• “The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.”

It is important to note that Florida’s dog liability statutes are not limitless. Properly assessing liability requires evaluating the facts and details unique to a particular attack. Compensation for dog bite injuries is mainly dependent on establishing liability and whether or not liability will be apportioned. For example, Florida Statutes provide specific provisions in cases where the victim provoked the dog or where the victim failed to obey a “Bad Dog” sign displayed on the owner’s property. In all cases, Alba & Straile PLLC is experienced in handling matters involving dog bites and can address your legal rights and options.

Victims are Entitled to Compensation for Damages

Dog bite victims should also consider potential sources of compensation. Often, there may be more than one source of compensation, depending on the circumstances of the dog attack. For example, homeowner’s insurance policies may cover injuries caused by dog bites. In other cases, the dog owner can be held personally liable, regardless of whether he or she has a homeowner’s policy. Some cases may involve the liability of a business or even local or state government. As skilled dog bite attorneys, we investigate the attack to determine which party or parties are responsible for damages.

The priority is to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries after a dog attack. Next, discuss your legal rights with a personal injury attorney experienced in dog bite injuries. In the tragic case that the dog attack has resulted in the death of a loved one, it is vital that you speak with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible following the incident. There may be time limitations to bring forth a claim.

Contact our Florida Dog Attack Attorneys for Help

If a dog attack has harmed you or a loved one, protect your legal rights by speaking with the personal injury attorneys at Alba & Straile PLLC. With more than three decades of combined experience protecting our clients’ rights, we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Alba & Straile PLLC is dedicated to achieving client results and committed to providing our clients with compassion, attention to detail, and ease of attorney accessibility. In addition, we provide our clients with the sound legal representation necessary to effectively and efficiently address their personal injury-related needs. We represent clients throughout Florida. Contact Alba & Straile PLLC at (352) 371-9141 today.