Dogs bring a lot of happiness and joy to people's lives. Unfortunately, dog attacks and dog bites often occur as well. And when they do, injury victims need to take action right away for their health and safety and to protect their legal rights.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Central Florida, make sure you take your case seriously right from the start. Make sure you contact the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A. Our experienced Florida dog bite attorneys can help you with your premises liability case every step of the way.
Don't underestimate the complexity of your case. And don't hesitate to take legal action just because you know the person who owns the dog that bit you. In most cases, we can pursue compensation for you directly with the insurance company for the dog's owner. That way, you can receive the money you deserve without worrying about your relationship with a good friend or family member.
There is no such thing as a "free bite" in Florida. If a dog attacks you or your child, the pet's owner is liable for your medical treatment and lasting injuries. You do not have to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had bitten before.
Our law firm pursues full compensation for dog bite victims, including compensation for emergency medical care, future reconstructive surgical procedures, lost income and lost future income during your recovery process. We will also pursue compensation for emotional trauma if a child requires psychological treatment after an attack. We have successfully represented clients in Lake County, Citrus County and the surrounding counties of Central Florida.
We know that dog attacks result in serious injuries, especially to children:
Although the pet owner is legally responsible for dog bites, you still need an attorney to document damages and counter any defenses such as trespassing, provocation or failure to heed warning signs.
In Florida, owners are not "strictly" liable for dog bites if a "bad dog" sign was visibly posted. Even then, you can still sue for negligence if the dangerous dog was loose (off its leash, gate open, etc.) and the attack resulted from the dog owner's negligence.
That's why it's critical that you talk to an attorney as soon as possible after your dog attack. The laws governing such cases in Florida can be very confusing. Even if you believe you do not have a legal case against the dog owner, you actually might, depending on the circumstances of your dog attack.
Some of the most common premises liability cases in Florida are dog bite cases. If your dog harms someone on your property, and your dog was not defending you against an intruder, you may be subject to a lawsuit.
It is important to stay calm during these situations, help the victim receive medical attention, exchange contact information (such as name, phone number, address, etc.), and report the incident with the local authorities.
Whether your dog bites someone on your property or whether you are bitten by a property owner's dog, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. We can help you sort through the facts in your case and explain all your available legal options.
Many people consider their dogs as part of the family. Recent legislation allows you to sue for non-economic damages (emotional pain) if your dog was killed by another person's dog, in addition to any injuries you suffered trying to rescue your pet.
Contact us today for a free dog bite case evaluation. We have offices in Tavares, Clermont, Inverness and The Villages. There are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. If we don't win, you don't owe us a dime.
