How to File a Claim After a Dog Bite Attack in Florida

Dogs are generally perceived as friendly house pets. Although, many unfortunate cases have involved severe dog bite attacks and injuries. Every Florida dog owner must ensure they are correctly tending to and housing their pets. When a dog owner is negligent in any way and pedestrians or individuals are injured by a dog, the owner may be held fully liable.

If you or your child suffers from injuries from a dog bite, there are a few steps to take when pursuing an injury claim. At Baker Legal Team, our board-certified personal injury attorney may be able to help you put your best foot forward in filing an injury claim and obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Liability in a Florida Dog Bite Attack Case

If you are injured from a dog bite attack, you may have many questions regarding who may be at fault and what happens if you pursue legal action by filing a claim. Florida’s pet owner laws and other regulations apply to injury cases and determining liability. With an experienced attorney who handles many injury cases and knows dog bite cases, you may build a successful case.

Florida’s dog owner liability statute 767.04 regarding damages for persons bitten states:

“…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…”

Sustaining injury from an animal, especially when encountering a dog, is traumatizing. In Florida, dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pets, especially in the case of a dog bite. Additionally, shared liability may apply in cases in which the injured person provoked the dog or played any role in negligence for the injuries. Regardless of any percentage of negligence in a dog bite case, if the dog owner is liable for your injuries, you may be able to file a claim.

How to File an Injury Claim After a Florida Dog Bite Attack

Any injured individual that endures a dog bite attack has a right to pursue compensation and hold the dog owner responsible for the dangers and damages they are responsible for in your case. While recovering from your injuries following a traumatic experience, you may wonder about the aspects of a successful injury claim.

When you are pursuing a case against a negligent dog owner, you may follow these steps to file a claim:

Locate the Dog Owner and Gather Their Contact Information

Dog bite attacks can occur in different ways and in different settings. Sometimes, you may be in a public park or neighborhood when you encounter an angry or aggressive dog. In another case, you may be injured from a dog bite near the owner’s home. Regardless of the setting, obtaining the dog owner’s contact information and documenting it can help your case. Contacting the police and local authorities may help you obtain the information safely and create an accurate incident report.

Notify Your Local Animal Control Department to Report the Accident

When a dog injures a human being, it is best to leave the dog alone without attempting to restrain it. Contacting local animal control can help you, and anyone surrounding the animal stay safe and control the situation. Especially when the owner is not nearby, contacting professionals can help handle the situation safely. Additionally, your case can benefit from reporting and documenting the accident after it occurred.

Seek Medical Help for Your Injuries and Gather Documentation

In any case of an animal bite, there may be many effects besides superficial or visible injuries. Whether the bite was minor or a vicious attack, seeking medical attention and properly treating injuries may help you avoid a worsened injury site or an illness such as rabies. Even if a dog appears well groomed and cared for, it is essential to treat any animal bite immediately. Without a professional medical evaluation, you cannot rule out any illness or injury severity. Additionally, gathering medical records regarding the incident can benefit your injury case.

Speak With Any Witnesses and Gather Information Regarding the Attack

In a Florida dog bite attack, you may have been surrounded by witnesses or locals that can testify to what occurred on your behalf. In an injury case, witness testimony, surveillance footage, and other pertinent evidence may help you build a case and obtain the necessary compensation you deserve. If you filed a report and gathered information from nearby witnesses, consult with your attorney to obtain an honest case evaluation.

Consult With an Experienced Attorney Regarding Your Dog Bite Injury Case

A professional dog bite injury lawyer can assist and navigate an injury case in many ways. You may recover the total compensation you deserve by consulting with an attorney and hiring a skilled legal team. Our attorney at Baker Legal Team is dedicated to helping our dog bite injury clients navigate a case, recover evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and other vital elements of a claim or lawsuit. If your case goes to trial, our seasoned legal team will be at your side and provide the legal representation that has benefited many of our clients.

Seek Legal Counsel From Our Board-Certified Dog Bite Attack Lawyer at Baker Legal Team

Facing the challenges of a dog bite injury and the effects of a traumatic attack can create difficulty for the injured person in various aspects of their life. In South Florida, Baker Legal Team has built a strong rapport with many personal injury clients including those with animal and dog bite injuries.

Our board-certified dog bite attack lawyer, Robert Baker, understands your rights as the injured and the laws that may help you hold the negligent dog owner accountable. While you recover from your injuries, our skilled attorney may help you navigate a claim, recover evidence, and work to ensure you recover all the compensable damages in your case. To schedule a case review at no cost to you, complete a contact form or call (561) 320-0000.