Dog bite attacks can be traumatic, to say the least, especially when they happen when you least expect them. A large number of dog bite cases involve a dog that has never shown aggressive behavior before, which can make it a difficult case to deal with.
Following a dog bite attack, you might be facing rapidly increasing medical bills for your injuries, all while dealing with the emotional, physical, and mental trauma caused by the incident. With all of this happening, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed.
You should never have to suffer for something that wasn’t your fault, and here at The Law Place, we are here to help. We can ease the load and lift the burden from your shoulders. We can file your claim, fight your case, liaise with the relevant parties, and do your paperwork. This will give you time to focus on yourself and your recovery, which is by far the most important thing.
Our team of skilled attorneys has been dealing with cases like yours collectively for over 75 years. With this wealth of experience, we can build a case for you that is airtight and hard to dispute. This means that your chances of a settlement out of court are drastically improved, and even if they try to weasel out of it, the case we build will be instrumental in convincing the judge and jury that you deserve what you’re asking for if the case moves to the courtroom.
Following the dog bite, you may be wondering if your dog bite case will settle out of court. Well, this depends upon the situation and the skill of your legal representation. If you have yet to seek legal advice and aid, give us a call today. At The Law Place, we man our phone lines every hour of the day so we can give you immediate legal advice if you are still at the scene or book you in for a more in-depth no strings attached free consultation.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.
How Long Does the Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Florida?
It is impossible to give a solid answer to this question. The specific period it will take for your dog bite claim to settle will depend entirely upon the circumstances surrounding your specific incident. The more straightforward the case, the quicker it will settle.
If the other party decides that they are going to dispute your claim, it will take longer to sort, and unless you have an aggressive lawyer with a wealth of skill behind them, you might struggle to get a settlement at all. This is why it’s so important to seek the aid of a legal representative as soon as possible after the attack.
For the more serious cases or the ones with strong opposition, it could take up to a year for you to receive a settlement that you are happy with, and for cases that then go on to require a lawsuit you could be looking at longe still, especially in cases where long-term medical aid is required.
For a free legal consultation, call 941-444-4444
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Bitten By a Dog?
Following a dog bite attack, you need to prioritize your safety and health first. The first thing you should do is try to get to a safe space and immediately call for help. If the dog owner or dog is still aggressive, make sure you call 911 and ask for the police first. If you are injured and need medical aid urgently, ask for an ambulance. In both cases, you need to request both the police and medical assistance from the first person you speak to.
This is important for a number of reasons. The first reason is that the police will be able to control the situation, making sure you are safe, and the other party is handled in the correct manner. They will also file a police report which can be used as evidence. This report could be instrumental in your case, especially if the other party decides that they want to dispute the claims you are making. The police will also ensure that you get the correct details for the other party instead of them lying to you and disappearing.
Seeking medical aid is just as important as dog bite injuries have a high chance of becoming infected or carrying diseases that may lie in hiding, growing worse until later on when they cause serious problems.
Seeking medical aid isn’t just to ensure your wellbeing either. It is also very important if you want a successful claim. Evidence that you have had medical attention will be used in your settlement or case.
After dealing with your safety, calling the police, and notifying ambulance services, now is the time for you to get in touch with your legal aid. The sooner you get in touch with your attorney after an accident, the sooner they will be able to send investigators, give you legal advice and begin building the strongest possible case for you. Call The Law Place today for immediate legal advice and a free consultation.
How Much Is the Average Dog Bite Settlement?
Do bite settlements are complex and vary from case to case. Every incident is different, and this means the damages that you face regarding the attack will differ from every other case.
In data announced by The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, there are nearly 4.5 million dog bites every single year in and compensation will depend upon:
- How severe your injuries are.
- How high the costs for the medical treatment necessary to treat the injury are.
- How much income the victim lost due to the accident.
- The psychological trauma suffered as a result of the attack.
At The Law Place, we offer a free consultation and case evaluation. This is so we can evaluate your case in a stress-free environment without any strings attached. This means you can make a decision that isn’t influenced by us on whether or not to proceed.
Call us today to find out how much money you could be owed for your dog bite claim.
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How Is a Dog Bite Claim Settled?
The various calculations involved in assigning a monetary value to your claim are complex. Your attorney will need to evaluate how much they think your claim is worth and balance it with what they think the other party will accept. This is where it is important to make sure you seek the help of an attorney with numerous dog bite cases under their belts.
They will then send this figure to the other party. At this point, they will either accept your settlement figure, decline it, or respond with a counter-offer.
If both you and your attorney believe that their offer is reasonable and fair, then you will be able to accept without the need for a long-drawn-out legal battle.
Unfortunately, sometimes the other party will decline your offer outright or offer a settlement figure that you and your attorney do not believe is fair and reasonable. If this is the case, then you will have to proceed to the next stage, which is a personal injury lawsuit.
At this stage, your attorney will use the strong case they have built for you to convince the court that the figure you are seeking is reasonable. When it comes to fighting in court, you will be very thankful that you obtained the help of a skilled dog bite attorney at an early stage.
At The Law Place, we have dealt with a number of dog bite attack incidents before, meaning we know exactly how to proceed with building a case for you that is as strong as possible.
We take all the right steps, work around the clock, and will fight for you to the fullest extent of our ability in both the settlement stage and the courtroom.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
When Should I Sue for a Dog Bite Injury?
It is very common for people involved in a dog bite attack to be too wrapped up in dealing with their emotional and physical trauma to seek the help of an attorney in a timely manner. The sooner after the attack you manage to contact an attorney, the higher the chances of a successful claim and the higher the compensation value potential. This is because the evidence is always stronger the fresher it is.
After being involved in a dog attack, victims are often too traumatized and emotionally unstable to make clear-headed decisions. This may mean that the victim does not seek the help of a legal attorney in a timely manner. The longer you leave it before getting in touch with an attorney in a situation like this, the harder it is for them to collect the evidence necessary to create the strongest possible case.
Another thing to remember is that following an accident, you have 4 years from the date of the incident to make a claim under Florida Statue 95.11. After 4 years, you will be barred from making a claim regarding that specific incident.
We recommend that nobody waits 4 years to make a claim. Personal injury cases are time-sensitive, and the sooner you get in touch and begin the process, the less likely it will be the evidence has disappeared or witnesses have changed their contact details.
Damages That Can Be Claimed After Sustaining a Dog Bite Injury
While the worst things immediately after a dog bite tend to be the physical injuries and mental trauma, in the long run, the medical bills and effect on your long term life will also be a serious problem. Luckily, if the accident was not your fault, you can seek compensation from the other party for these.
You can also claim for pain and suffering damages. These damages are the ones that have no strict monetary value. Things like loss of enjoyment, if you cannot continue doing hobbies you love, are classed as pain and suffering.
The main damages you might be able to claim for following a dog bite injury include:
- Medical bills – After a dog bite attack, it is vitally important that you seek medical aid due to the likelihood of the injury leading to infection or disease. All your medical bills, including transport to the hospital, prescription, and therapy, are claimable for both the past and the future.
- Lost wages – After a trauma like this, you may have to take time off work to focus on your health. If this leads to a loss of wages, then you will be able to seek compensation for your losses, future, past, and present.
Contact The Law Place Today
Dealing with a dog attack does not have to be an isolating experience. Here at The Law Place, we want to be able to help. We want to ease the burden you are facing, taking over the paperwork, dealing with the insurance companies, and fighting on your behalf for a fair settlement or victory in the courtroom.
We understand the nuances surrounding Florida dog bite injury law and have won cases just like yours in the past.
Our phone lines are always open! Call us at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a leading attorney at our firm and find out how much compensation you may be entitled to.
Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form