The Danger Of Dog Bites

The danger of dog bites, apply for both victims and owners. You will learn about Florida Owner Liability for Dog Bites, compensation under common law, and Florida’s statutes against dangerous dogs. 

You will also learn about common law restitution, which may greatly assist in collecting damages from a nasty dog. 

Read this page if you are interested in law-related dog bites.

As a pet owner, you should be aware of the possibility of a dog biting you. Even though dogs are considered family members, they may become instinctual and inflict accidental harm. If a dog attacks you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party. The Florida Dog Bite Law protects you in the event of such an incidence.

As a dog owner, you should recognize that your duty to protect others extends beyond protecting your property. Florida provides strict responsibility for injuries caused by dog bites. This implies that a dog’s owner may be held severely accountable for any injuries or damages the dog causes. You may seek damages for a dog bite injury if the dog’s owner was unaware of the animal’s viciousness or failed to take reasonable safeguards.

The dangers of dog bites in Florida are many. Dogs are unpredictable and not always trained to behave predictably. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 800,000 people seek medical attention after being attacked by a dog. Half of the victims are children. “Insurance information institute” reports that Florida had the second highest dog bite claims in 2019.

Florida Dog Owner Liability

If a dog in Florida bit you, you might be entitled to sue the dog’s owner for damages. Florida’s dog bite statute applies when a victim is on private property. Although dog owners may argue that the wounded party was not “lawfully” on their property, a Florida owner may still be able to escape responsibility by posting warning signs about their dog.

• A landlord’s inability to enforce pet regulations might also result in legal action. The landlord may be responsible if a tenant’s dog assaults someone outside the premises. In Florida, however, landlords owe no duty of care to other parties who a tenant’s dog may hurt. Nonetheless, if the landlord fails to safeguard renters from hazardous animals, a dog bite lawsuit may be an alternative.

• In rare instances, the dog owner may claim that the victim was 25 percent at fault for the bite, reducing the amount of compensation by that proportion. In many instances, however, the homeowner’s insurance coverage will cover the victim’s medical expenses and other losses. 

Although Florida law does not oblige the dog owner to pay the victim’s damages, it is advisable to engage a dog bite attorney.

Restitution For Wrongs According To Common Law

In circumstances of common law, you may claim damages for injuries caused by a dog bite if the owner acts carelessly or intentionally. You must demonstrate that the owner knew the dog was aggressive and behaved recklessly, in addition to proving that the dog attacked you. You may also obtain punitive damages, which penalize the owner for malice and serve to prevent a recurrence of the act.

• Restitution for damages resulting from a dog bite may include compensation for past and future medical expenditures. 
• Damages to mental health may consist of therapy for depression, anxiety, and traumatic memories over an extended time. 
• If you had a significant other at the time of the assault, you might also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium, including missed companionship and intimacy. 
• In certain places, it is even possible to recuperate for the attack’s impact on the parent-child connection.

Common law compensation for injuries caused by a dog bite varies based on the severity of the assault and the amount of the claim. Typically, homeowner’s insurance will cover economic losses such as medical expenses and missed earnings. 

In contrast, noneconomic damages may include pain and suffering, deformity, and decreased quality of life. An attorney should be consulted to identify the best course of action.

What Are Florida’s Laws Regarding Dangerous Dogs?

If your dog bites or assaults someone in Florida, you might be liable. There are essential characteristics that apply to every dog bite claim, although local regulations differ. Florida has particular rules to safeguard your family and property from your harmful dog. Florida has strict responsibility regulations for dog owners, which means you might be held accountable if your dog bites someone or causes property damage.

Florida generally prevents dangerous dogs from harming humans and other animals. It is also harmful if it attacks someone without provocation, if it is aggressive or pursues people in public, or if it poses a threat to anybody. If a dog attacks another domestic animal, it may be considered dangerous, but it will not be regarded as dangerous if it bites a wild animal. To secure their safety and the safety of other citizens, owners must register their animals with the state.

Florida mandates that owners of hazardous dogs register their pets. This may be found in Chapter 767. The Florida State Statutes do not guarantee the correctness of this material. Therefore you should always refer to the official editions. The local animal control officer in Sarasota County is responsible for preserving official records. Additionally, the owner of a hazardous dog must restrict the animal to a specific location.

Limitations On Owner Liability

In a recent ruling, the District Court of Appeal upheld the jury’s finding and restored the dog owner’s culpability in a dog attack case. The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia stated that the evidence offered to the jury was adequate for the jury to reach a verdict. 

The court said that the District Court erred by reversing the jury’s judgment. In Florida, dog bite cases usually follow a strict responsibility approach. A prospective plaintiff must demonstrate that the dog bit them or displayed hostile behavior.

• In Florida, the dog owner is responsible for damages when they cause harm. This responsibility legislation does not apply to the property owner, the dog keeper, or the animal’s guardian. 
• Even while the law provides certain safeguards, dog owners must adhere to the requirements to avoid criminal punishment. This involves using a leash, harness, and muzzle while the dog is off the property.
• In circumstances when the victim was less than six years old, the dog owner’s culpability is reduced. 
• If the dog owner knew or should have known of the dog’s viciousness, they may be held liable for the damage, but if the victim was under six years old, the owner might be held blameless. 
• In other instances, the owner may be held accountable even if no warning signs were posted at the scene.

Florida Dog Bite Legislation

Did you know that Florida dog bite laws restrict the responsibility of dog owners? According to the Florida Dog Bite Laws, a dog owner is only liable for certain damages if they are not at fault. This is especially true if the victim provoked or aroused the dog. However, if the victim is not at fault and the dog attacks another person, the dog owner may still be held responsible.

In Florida, dog bites are among the most prevalent forms of personal injury claims. Suppose a person is attacked by a dog while on another individual’s property. They may submit a claim for damages. Florida’s dog bite laws are victim-centered and safeguard the injured party’s rights. The dog owner may alternatively claim that the wounded person was trespassing as a defense.

In most instances, a dog owner is accountable for damages caused by a dog bite. The law also offers remedies for damage caused by a dog other than bites. If a dog in Florida has hurt you, please call Accident Injury Lawyers for assistance filing a claim. We pursue dog bite cases vigorously and will fight to maximize your recovery.

Call Us For A Free Appraisal Of Your Claim!

Ovadia Law Group, PA is a Fort Myers, Florida-based personal injury law practice. We are committed to assisting accident victims in obtaining maximum compensation. We have extensive expertise in premises liability, automobile collisions, and pedestrian accidents. 

Abraham S. Ovadia formed his legal firm in 2010. In 2016, he changed the firm’s name to Ovadia Law Group. For over a decade, he has handled personal injury cases in Florida, and he is happy to have contributed more than $4 million to different charities and legal aid groups.

Throughout her more than a decade-long career, Stephanie G. Ovadia has represented clients in various personal injury situations, from auto accidents to slip-and-fall incidents. Her competence enables her to effectively represent personal injury victims and get adequate compensation for their injuries.

Whether you have sustained severe injuries in an accident or have been the victim of medical negligence, they can assist you.

Their offices are in Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Myers, and Orlando.

Call Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free examination of your claim and to learn how we may assist you in obtaining the money you deserve.