Dogs are a popular pet for thousands of families in Orlando, and rightfully so. When properly cared for, they are well-behaved members of families. Unfortunately, these animals don’t always behave as you’d expect. A dog attack can result in life-changing injuries. It is not uncommon for dog bite victims to require months, and even years, of reconstructive surgeries for their bodies. The tragic fact about dog bite cases is that they usually involve children.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an Orlando dog attack, you must get in touch with a reputable personal injury law firm. At The Law Place, we have a team of highly experienced lawyers who can help you file your dog bite claim. Your lawyer will do all they can so that you can receive the maximum compensation for your case.
To schedule your free consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer, call us now at (941)-444-4444.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks in the United States are far too common. Every day, hundreds of people are treated in emergency rooms across the country for dog bite injuries. Most of the time, these injuries occur in the home of a dog owner or immediate neighborhood. Although anyone can be a dog bite victim, children are more vulnerable to these attacks. Most of the time, these injuries occur to the head and face. Dog bite injuries can be life-changing as they have a huge impact on a victim’s self-image.
Some of the most common dog bite injuries are:
- Lacerations.
- Bone fractures.
- Puncture wounds.
- Nerve damage.
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring.
- Sprains.
- Infections.
- Emotional suffering.
Fatal Animal Attacks in Orlando
In the most severe cases, dog bite victims can lose their lives. If a dog attacked someone close to you and they tragically passed away, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the dog’s owner. The compensation recovered in a wrongful death claim can help cover funeral costs, burial costs, emotional trauma, and more. It is wise to contact skilled dog bite lawyers if you have lost a loved one in this way. They can offer you some honest legal advice while guiding you through the claims process at this difficult time. In addition, our dog bite lawyers will not hesitate to take your wrongful death case to court if they believe you are not being offered the financial settlement you deserve.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Compensation for a Dog Bites
The amount of compensation that victims of dog bites receive will depend on the severity of their attacks and how much of an impact the attacks have had on their lives. Orlando dog bite attorneys at The Law Place can examine your case to determine how much compensation you are entitled to. They will investigate the impact the dog bite injury has had on your life as well as how much the injury has financially cost you.
Common damages that victims can claim in a dog bite case include:
- Medical bills.
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering.
- Lost wages.
- Permanent disfigurement.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Scarring.
- Reduced quality of life.
- Assisted care.
Before you accept a financial settlement offer from your insurance company, it is wise to speak with a dog bite attorney. This is because insurance companies will generally make lowball settlement offers to victims. This is because they are in the business of making a profit.
An Orlando dog bite attorney at our firm will ensure that you receive fair compensation. If settlement negotiations with an insurance company fail to progress, an attorney will not hesitate to file a dog-bite lawsuit. We won’t stop fighting until our clients are offered a fair settlement.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience What You Should Do After Suffering a Dog Bite
If you or someone you love is ever tragically attacked by an animal in Orlando, it is important to prioritize health and safety. We would recommend that you complete the following steps.
Seek Medical Attention
You must dial for emergency responders if you have suffered a severe injury. By losing a significant amount of blood, your injury could become fatal. You should still seek medical attention if you deem your injury minor. This is because it is common for dog bite injuries to become infected. Not only this, but many dogs carry rabies disease. If you don’t receive medical treatment, you risk your injury worsening.
Contact Law Enforcement
If a dangerous dog is loose, you must contact law enforcement. They will take the appropriate action to get the dog restrained. By allowing aggressive dogs to roam free, you risk another animal attack occurring. Once law enforcement has been contacted, they can handle the situation.
Identify the Vicious Dog that Attacked You
Furthermore, you must identify the dangerous dog and the dog owners. The police will want to know who is responsible for the incident. Furthermore, you must do this so that you can file a claim against the dog owner’s negligence. In cases where victims have suffered severe injuries, it may be possible to sue dog owners.
Collect Evidence
If you are well enough to do so, it is wise to gather evidence at the scene of the dog attack. First of all, you should write down the names and contact details of all potential witnesses. Next, you should make a note of the dog’s license information. Then it would be advisable to photograph the injuries you have suffered and the location of the animal attack. You mustn’t wash the clothes you wore at the time of the attack as blood and dirt can prove to be important evidence. If you can, it would be a good idea to keep your clothes in a plastic container or bag.
Seek Legal Advice
Finally, you should seek trusted legal advice from a reputable personal injury law firm. The sooner you contact us at The Law Place, the better. This is because a dog bite claim needs to be filed soon after the incident occurred. One reason for this is that the law in Florida does not grant victims infinite time to make a dog bite claim. Another reason is that evidence becomes less credible as time goes on. For example, witness statements become less reliable pieces of evidence as memories can fade and become skewed over time.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Florida Dog Bite Law
Florida’s dangerous dog statute 767.13, defines a “dangerous dog” as any dog that has aggressively attacked, bitten, endangered, or injured a person. It is also possible for dogs to be labeled as dangerous if they have seriously injured or killed another domestic animal. For example, if a dog attacks another dog in their family.
The law requires dog owners to register their dogs as dangerous within 14 days of their dogs being deemed dangerous. In addition, dangerous dog owners must do the following:
- Ensure that their dog is secure in a proper enclosure.
- Report to animal control if their dog has attacked another animal or person.
- Report to animal control if their dog becomes loose.
- Register their dog as dangerous every year
- Muzzle or restrain the dog.
- Use a strong leash or chain to control the dog.
If your dog attack involved a dog that isn’t registered as dangerous, you can still be entitled to compensation. It is important to remember that all dogs are animals. No matter how well-loved they are, their behavior can never be predicted.
When to File Dog Bite Claims
Dog bite victims in Orlando need to file an injury claim as soon as they can after suffering the incident. This is because Florida law does not give victims forever to make a claim. As of 2023, all injury victims have two years to file a claim after suffering an injury. Once these years pass, it will become near impossible to recover compensation for your dog bite injury.
Not only this, but if you are considering claiming wrongful death, the state only allows you two years to do so. This is not nearly enough time for families to grieve. Therefore, by hiring a dog bite lawyer, you can ensure that all the necessary action occurs before it’s too late. You can focus on your grief and your loved ones while your lawyer handles all of the legal work on your behalf.
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite?
If you have suffered a dog bite injury in Orlando, the dog owner will most likely be liable. In most cases, dog owners are held responsible. Florida has a strict liability law which means that the only thing that matters after a dog has bit a person is how much compensation the victim is entitled to. Unfortunately, there are a few factors that can lessen the sum of compensation that a victim receives in Orlando and these are:
- Adequate warning signs. If dog owners advertise the fact that they have a dangerous dog and victims deliberately choose to ignore the signs, the amount of compensation they receive will be lessened.
- Comparative negligence. If a court determines that a victim is partially at fault for the incident, the amount of compensation they receive will be reduced by the percentage of the blame they hold.
- Unsupervised children. In dog attacks that involve children, parents will likely recover less compensation if it is determined that they left their children unsupervised and in danger.
Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Seeking any kind of legal counsel can feel daunting. However, if you or a family member has suffered a dog bite injury in Orlando, we strongly recommend that you hire a personal injury lawyer. This is because suffering a dog bite can be a very traumatic experience and victims are generally entitled to a great sum of compensation. If you attempt to settle your dog bite case with a dog owner or an insurance company alone, you risk not recovering the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to. You deserve to be fully compensated for your trauma and our dog bite lawyers will ensure that you are. This will likely be a difficult time for you and your loved ones. Our lawyers will offer you all the support you require at this time.
A lawyer can prove to be very helpful. Some of the other ways that our Orlando dog bite lawyers can help you are:
- Investigate the extent of your damages and the worth of your case.
- Guide you through Florida’s complex dangerous dog law.
- Support you through the dog bite claims process.
- Identify who the negligent party is.
- Speak to eyewitnesses on your behalf.
- Enter negotiations with your insurance company on your behalf.
- Handle all of the necessary legal paperwork.
- Take your case to court if negotiations with your insurance company don’t progress.
How Much does an Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
All of our personal injury lawyers at The Law Place operate on a contingency-fee-basis. This is also popularly known as a no-win-no-fee basis. Simply, if your lawyer doesn’t help you recover compensation, you don’t have to pay for their legal fees. You have nothing to lose by seeking our legal representation after experiencing a dog attack in Orlando. Once your lawyer helps you recover a final settlement, a small percentage will be deducted to cover their legal fees.
Our law firm abides by the rules and regulations set by the Florida Bar Association closely. We are trustworthy and reputable. You can rely on us to act with your best interests at heart. To learn more about our fee structure and how we operate, get in touch with us today. One of our lawyers will be more than happy to answer your questions and queries.
How Much Are Dog Bite Claims Worth?
The amount of compensation that you recover for your dog bite claim will depend on several factors. Such as the severity of your injury, the impact the injury has had on your life, the amount of emotional suffering you have endured, and more. All personal injury claims are different and therefore it is difficult to give victims a certain figure that they can expect to achieve for their case. In a free case evaluation with an experienced dog bite attorney at our firm, you can receive a rough estimation of what kind of settlement your case could achieve.
In severe cases, victims can be awarded tens of thousands of dollars. Reconstructive surgery for life-changing facial injuries is incredibly expensive. Often, treatment for these injuries is innovative and can leave victims suffering crippling debt. Your attorney will work to ensure that you are compensated for all of these costs.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in Orlando?
You can sue pet owners after suffering a dog bite in Orlando. This is because Florida is a strict liability state. Not only this, but if your case doesn’t fall under the dog bite statute, you will likely still be able to sue a pet owner for their negligence. The process of suing is not always straightforward and it can be complex. Our team of Orlando lawyers at The Law Place has years of experience. You can trust that by hiring one of our lawyers, you will be giving yourself the best chance you’ve got of receiving the full sum of compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will use their knowledge and experience to help you sue the negligent party.
Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer FAQ
Can a Dog Be Taken Away for Biting in Florida?
When a dog bites a person, they can be impounded. Not all cases will result in a dog being taken away. However, in severe and brutal attacks, a local animal control authority or court may issue an order for a dog to be confined or euthanized.
What should I do immediately after being bitten by a dog in Orlando?
First, prioritize your safety. Move away from the dog to a secure location. Then, seek medical attention immediately, even if the bite seems minor. It’s essential to clean the wound and get a medical assessment to prevent infection. Document the incident by taking photographs of your injuries, gathering details about the dog and its owner, and noting any witnesses present.
How does Orlando define a dangerous dog?
Orlando, in line with Florida state laws, classifies a dog as dangerous based on its past behavior. If the dog has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation, it might be deemed dangerous. Dogs used for law enforcement are typically exempted from this classification.
Can I get compensation even if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
Yes. Florida operates under a “strict liability” rule concerning dog bites. This means that a dog owner can be held liable even if the dog had never shown signs of aggression before or bitten anyone.
What types of compensation can I seek after a dog bite in Orlando?
Victims can potentially seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and any property damage that might have occurred during the incident. Consulting with an Orlando dog bite lawyer will provide a clearer picture based on the specifics of your case.
Are there any situations where I might be partially at fault for the dog bite?
Yes. If it’s determined that you provoked the dog, trespassed on the dog owner’s property, or were negligent in any way leading to the bite, you might be considered partially responsible. Florida follows a “comparative negligence” rule, meaning your compensation might be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Is there a time limit to file a dog bite claim in Orlando?
Yes. In Florida, you typically have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s crucial to act promptly to ensure evidence is still available and witnesses’ recollections are fresh.
Why should I consider hiring an Orlando dog bite lawyer?
Pursuing compensation for a dog bite can be complex. An Orlando dog bite lawyer can navigate the legal intricacies, advocate on your behalf, and aim to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. They can handle negotiations, gather necessary evidence, and represent you, allowing you to focus on healing.
Contact an Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer at The Law Place Today!
Experiencing a dog attack in Orlando can be very traumatic. Regardless of how or why the attack occurred, you need to contact a reputable lawyer. The chances are that you could be entitled to a large sum of compensation.
Our legal team has helped many dog bite victims recover compensation. Although compensation cannot remove the trauma you have experienced, it can help fund your recovery and treatment. You don’t have to suffer alone through this, our Orlando lawyers are here for you.
To organize your free case evaluation with a member of our skilled team, give us a call today. Our law office is available to take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t waste another moment. Call us now at (941)-444-4444.
