Dog bites and attacks can be vicious. Injury victims report severe physical injuries and psychological trauma following these incidents. If you or your child suffered critical injuries relating to a dog bite, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner accountable.
You can discuss your legal options with a Tallahassee dog bite lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Schedule your free consultation today to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your suffering.
Dog Bite Injuries to Sue for in Tallahassee
It may not always be clear whether you have grounds for a claim after a dog bite. Many injury victims have concerns that their injuries are not severe enough to warrant legal action. However, when your injuries have substantially impacted your life, whether physically, financially, or psychologically, you may have the right to financial compensation.
Some of the types of injuries that may occur due to dog bites in Tallahassee include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Paralysis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lacerations
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
These are just a few of the possible injuries resulting from dog attacks. If you or your loved one has suffered another type of injury not listed above, you may still have the right to financial compensation. A Tallahassee dog bite lawyer from our firm can help you understand what legal options are available to you.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite injury lawyer serving Tallahassee, 800-747-3733
Liability for Tallahassee Dog Bites
In some states, a dog must have previously attacked, bitten, or otherwise shown a propensity for violence for the dog owner to be held accountable for their pet’s actions. However, Florida does not follow the “one bite rule.”
Instead, Florida operates under a strict liability system. Per Florida Statutes § 767.04, a dog’s prior history has no bearing on the dog owner’s liability should the dog attack or bite someone. It does not matter whether the dog has previously shown a propensity for aggression or violence or has attacked or bitten someone before.
Even when a dog has never bitten or attacked someone, the dog’s owner can be held accountable. It is up to dog owners to maintain responsibility for their pets at all times.
When Can Property Owners Avoid Culpability in Dog Bite Cases?
Property owners may avoid liability for dog bites in some cases. This most frequently occurs when a dog is provoked into acting aggressively or the injury victim was trespassing or committing a crime at the time of the accident.
Injury victims who provoke a dog into acting aggressively may find it more challenging to recover damages in court. Some examples of behaviors that may be considered provocation include:
- Kicking
- Hitting
- Scratching
- Yelling
- Screaming
- Throwing objects
- Taunting
Dogs are unpredictable creatures. When they are provoked into behaving badly or acting aggressively, you should not expect them to act otherwise.
TallahasseeDog Bite Injury Lawyer Near Me 800-747-3733
How FL Shared Fault Laws Could Affect Your Dog Bite Claim
Florida operates under a pure comparative negligence system, per Florida Statutes § 761.81. This means you will not be barred from recovering compensation for your damages even if you are partially at fault for your injuries. In fact, you can share the majority of the fault for the accident and still be compensated for the part of the accident that was not your fault.
However, in personal injury cases, your injury settlement will reflect your portion of fault. You will need to be held accountable for your negligence, so you can expect your injury settlement to be reduced in proportion to your percentage of liability.
For example, if you were found 25% responsible for causing the accident, expect to recover just 75% of your injury settlement. For this reason, liability must be accurately assessed in your Tallahassee dog bite claim.
Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Tallahassee
If you hope to get the most out of your claim, you should be prepared to file a claim with the insurance company and bring your case to court. Dog owners typically have homeowner’s insurance, renters insurance, or general liability insurance to protect them.
If they do not have insurance coverage or if their insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you may choose to file a civil lawsuit against them, seeking recovery of your economic and non-economic damages. You can find out more about how much your dog bite claim in Tallahassee may be worth when you contact our office to discuss your damages in further detail.
File Your Claim Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
Florida law requires dog bite victims to file lawsuits before the statute of limitations expires. Fortunately, Florida has one of the most victim-friendly personal injury statute of limitations in the country, allowing up to four years before the statute of limitations expires, per Florida Statutes § 95.11.
Although four years may seem like more than enough time to move forward with your case, it is important to remember that much of the evidence needed to prove liability may be time-sensitive. This means if your Tallahassee dog bite attorney cannot get started on your case promptly, they may be unable to recover evidence in time to support your case.
Get Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer in Tallahassee Today
If you are interested in pursuing an insurance or civil claim against the dog’s owner but are unsure how to get started on your case, you’ve come to the right place.
Reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a no-cost, risk-free consultation today. With a Tallahassee dog bite lawyer from our firm by your side, you can focus on recuperating from your injuries while we work on your case’s legal details.
