Dog bites are often serious, leading to debilitating or even fatal injuries, depending on the circumstances and the breed of the dog. Dog owners are often liable under Florida premises liability or personal injury laws, enabling victims to recover total compensation from negligent dog owners in many cases. A Sarasota dog bite lawyer who has settled these types of cases could help you seek compensation from liable dog owners in the event of a bite and subsequent injuries.
At the Law Office of Joshua H. Rosen, our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys could determine whether you have a case and hold dog owners accountable for their pets’ behavior.
It is important to understand Florida law regarding dog bites in Sarasota, which an experienced lawyer could review with you during an initial consultation.
According to Florida Statutes § 767.04, dog owners are liable for any damages a person suffers as a result of their dog’s bite, whether in a public or private place, provided that the bite occurred when the victim was legally on the property. Liability falls on the dog owner regardless of whether they were aware of the dog’s aggressive behavior or whether the dog had displayed similar behavior in the past.
Dog bite injury victims could recover multiple types of damages in a personal injury case, such as:
Dog owners could be required to pay certain medical costs related to the dog bite, including urgent care, hospital stays, diagnostics, surgeries, and ongoing treatment.
Victims of dog bite injuries may be unable to work entirely or in the same capacity as they could before the injury, resulting in lost income and earning potential.
Non-financial damages like pain and suffering, trauma, disfigurement, and loss of consortium could also factor into a dog bite injury claim or suit.
Damages to the victim’s personal belongings, like clothing and mobile devices, could also warrant compensation in a case.
The right Sarasota dog bite attorney could help identify and calculate all damages pertaining to your case.
There are several key steps to take after sustaining a dog bite injury. These entail:
See a medical professional as soon as possible, even if the bite injury appears minor. Infections could develop if left untreated, and the sooner victims receive treatment, the easier it will be to connect the injury to the dog bite incident.
Reporting the incident to law enforcement or animal control could develop a report that corroborates the victim’s claims.
Evidence like photographs of the injury and damaged property, along with police reports and medical records, could help build a case.
Taking all of the evidence to a local dog bite injury lawyer in Sarasota could help you build a strong case from the start.
If a dog bite injury occurs and you believe the dog owner is liable for damages, it helps to work with an experienced Sarasota dog bite lawyer who could evaluate your case and determine what kind of compensation you are able to recover.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Joshua H. Rosen could discuss a case and determine your options for recovering damages. Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation.
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