Winter Haven Dog Bite Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Victims Injured by a Vicious Dog

Under certain circumstances, the owner of a dog that bites someone will be strictly liable for paying that person’s medical bills and other expenses related to the accident. Our firm has helped many Winter Haven, FL dog bite victims to recover fair compensation after an attack. Here are a few important things you need to know about bringing a claim based on Florida’s dog bite laws.

Does Florida Have a Strict Liability Rule for Dog Bites?

Florida is a “strict liability” state when it comes to dog bites. This means a dog owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether they knew the animal had aggressive tendencies or not. Under the strict liability rule, a victim can hold the dog owner responsible if the victim can prove that the dog bit him or her while on public property or lawfully on private property (such as visiting someone’s home or doing work around the yard).

It is important to note that in Florida, a dog owner is responsible for any injuries caused by the dog, even if there was no actual dog bite. For example, if a large dog charges and jumps onto someone, causing that person to lose his or her balance, fall on a hard surface, and injure themselves, the victim may still have a claim against that dog’s owner, even if they were not bitten.

Who is Liable for a Dog Bite?

A dangerous dog is an animal that has attacked (or attempted to attack), someone, causing severe injury to the victim, or a dog that has attacked and/or killed another animal more than once. If a dog with known aggressive tendencies is considered a “dangerous dog” under Florida laws, that dog’s owner will be required to take certain precautions to keep their dog from injuring anyone.

When it comes to liability, the dog owner is liable for any damage that you incur in a dog bite attack. However, in Florida, a landlord may be liable for injuries caused by a tenant’s dog on his property if the landlord had the ability to control the premises, and knew or should have known about the dangerous nature of the dog.

In What Cases Would a Dog Bite Victim Be Partially Responsible for the Attack?

Certain situations allow for a dog owner’s responsibility to be reduced or even eliminated depending on the victim’s actions. Actions such as being unlawfully on the dog owner’s property or intentionally provoking the dog may place the majority of dog bite responsibility on the victim.

If the dog bite victim was a child, some exceptions may apply, depending on the child’s age. A child under the age of six may be considered incapable of reading “dangerous dog” signs and being in control of their own behaviors. If a child younger than six is hurt by a dog, a jury may determine the parent was partially at fault for not supervising the child. Dog bite cases can be complicated, especially when children are involved, so the best thing to do is to seek the help of a Florida dog bite attorney.

How Can a Dog Bite Attorney Help Me?

If you, your child, or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you need to have a strong legal team on your side. An attorney for personal injury has a deep understanding of Florida dog bite laws and can help you find the best way to secure compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering. At Jiles Law, P.A., we can help you with every aspect of your dog bite case. Give us a call at 863-875-6900 to learn your options.