A dog bite lawyer in Miami Gardens, FL at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will guide you through your legal options and the right to seek compensation after suffering injuries in a dog bite incident. Call 1-800-747-3733 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
We will handle all of the legal aspects of your dog bite case so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Holding the Dog Owner Responsible for Your Injuries
Florida’s dog bite law recognizes that if a person is on public property, or lawfully on private property—including where the dog resides—and the dog bites him or her, the dog owner is responsible for that person’s damages.
Under the statute, a person is lawfully on private property if the dog owner invited the person on the property, or the person is a state or federal employee or a postal worker carrying out his or her duties.
Further, a dog owner may be negligent if he or she does not control the dog, and the dog bites someone. In other words, a dog owner who knows that his or her dog has a propensity to attack people but takes no steps to control or confine the dog may be held liable for a visitor’s injuries.
Exceptions to a Dog Owner’s Liability
According to the state’s dog bite law, dog owners are not liable for their dog’s actions when:
- A person trespasses on the dog owner’s property.
- A person provokes the dog to bite.
- The dog owner prominently displays an easy-to-read, “Bad Dog” sign on the property.
However, even if the dog owner displays a “Bad Dog” sign, the owner is liable if the dog bites a child under the age of six.
Call the Law Office of Anidjar & Levine to discuss the circumstances of your case. A personal injury lawyer will help you understand your options for pursuing a claim against the responsible party and receiving the compensation you and your family deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Miami Gardens, 800-747-3733
Pursuing Compensation for a Dog Bite Claim
If your dog bite resulted in a bleeding wound, infection, or required surgery, and the dog owner—or the owner’s insurance company—disputes the seriousness of your injury, we urge you to consult a dog bite lawyer in Miami Gardens, FL at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today.
Miami GardensDog Bite Lawyer Near Me 800-747-3733
Gathering Evidence in Your Dog Bite Case
Our legal team must establish the dog owner’s negligence in preventing the bite or attack to recover physical, emotional, and economic damages for your dog bite injury.
The evidence we collect may include but is not limited to the following:
- Medical records indicate the nature and severity of your injury.
- Doctor’s notes regarding on-going medical care and surgical procedures.
- Surveillance or smartphone camera video of the dog attack, if available.
- Photographs of your injuries and the location of the dog bite incident.
- Statements from eyewitnesses.
- Animal Control records of the dog biting other people.
- Criminal charges filed against or citations issued to the dog owner.
- A police or incident report filed with local authorities over your dog bite.
Assigning Fault to the Responsible Party
Florida follows the Comparative Negligence Law, which can reduce the total amount of compensation to the injured if she or he contributed to the incident in any way. For example, under this law, if the victim’s damages total $20,000 and she was found to be 10 percent at fault for causing the dog to bite, she would only receive $18,000 in damages.
However, under this same law, if the injured party did not contribute to the incident in any way (zero percent at fault), she or he would not be impacted by a reduction in damages.
The Type of Damages You Can Recover
Treatment for a dog bite can be expensive, especially when the injury requires surgery and extensive therapy and rehabilitation. Even if your health care covers the injury, you will likely be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs. We take these as well as the following expenses into account when estimating your damages:
- Current and on-going medical care, including plastic surgery
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
We can also pursue reimbursement for any psychological treatment you receive as a result of the dog bite incident.
Negotiating Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
A dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy covers incidents such as dog bites. We can file a claim with the dog owner’s insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement for your damages on your behalf.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a Free Consultation
A dog bite injury can quickly turn into a serious health condition. A dog bite lawyer in Miami Gardens, FL at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will guide you through the entire legal process of pursuing compensation for your dog bite injury.
Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.