| Law Firm SEO by, About Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, About Sibley Dolman Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP. A dog bite victim in Florida can recover compensation under a special statute and the doctrines of negligence, negligence per se, scienter, and intentional tort. Florida Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability. This states that the owner of a dog is liable for another person’s injuries if the dog bites him or her when that person is in a public place, or lawfully in a private one. Florida law 767.04 is Florida’s dog bite law. 1 While the number of claims nationwide vacillates, the average value of each has climbed higher every year with the aggregate topping $489.7 million in 2012. Before the statute, Florida followed the common law. Florida recently recorded the highest average amount ($38,400) per dog bite insurance claim in the country, with 146 payments totaling $5.6 million. Dog bite common law only held dog owners liable when the owner had reason to know that their dog was dangerous. Generally speaking, strict liability does not apply to any of the following individuals: In addition to statutory strict liability, a dog owner may also (or alternatively) be liable to a dog bite victim if the dog owner did something that a reasonable dog owner would not have done—or failed to do something that a reasonable dog owner would have done—proximately resulting in the dog bite and the victim’s subsequent injuries. Florida, like many other states in the country, utilizes a legal standard known as statutory strict liability when it comes to dog bite cases. Florida's law on "Damages by Dogs" states that a dog owner is liable for any damages that results from his dog biting a person, whether in public or private, including in the owner's home. Download and use today. Dog bites can result in very serious injuries to adults and children alike. However, if a dog or any other pet injures you without biting – by knocking you over and injuring you, for example – you can still take legal action with an injury claim based on negligence. Negligence in Florida. In Florida dog bite cases, a lawsuit must ordinarily be filed in the Florida court system within four years of the date on which the plaintiff sustained the dog bite injury. Just about all the interrogatories, deposition questions and more that a plaintiff's attorney will need, for less than the cost of typing them. In the dog bite context, intentional torts usually arise in cases of provocation, where the dog owner provokes or incites the dog to bite someone. An intentional tort, such as an assault or battery, requires specific intent on the part of a dog owner to cause the dog to bite another person. Click here for further legal notices. Florida’s statute of limitations is a hard-and-fast deadline. The knowledgeable Clearwater dog bite lawyers at Dolman Law Group can ensure that all applicable time deadlines are considered and met in your case. In these situations, the owner must take specific precautions and follow strict rules regarding the animal. The bite victim doesn’t have to show how the dog owner acted unreasonably or created an unsafe situation. If a victim is trespassing in the place where they suffer a dog bite such as, for example, a person breaks into the house where the dog lives, the homeowner owes no liability to the dog bite victim. Dog bite laws in Florida are generally centered around the provisions of Florida’s dog bite statutes, Fla.Stat.§767.01-767.16, but there is also an overlap between our state’s dog bite laws and premises liability laws. They explain why a postal worker bitten by a dog in Orlando might be able to claim damages, while a person trespassing and harassing a dog in Jacksonville might not. When dog bite injuries occur, victims may be eligible for monetary compensation for medical bills, corrective surgeries (i.e., in cases involving scarring and other permanent injuries), lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. These Florida statutes outline the state's dog provisions, which mainly cover dangerous dog/dog bite laws. Florida Dog Bite Laws. Under Florida law, in order to obtain compensation after a dog bite, you should prove: 1. One is known as strict liability and the other is negligence. Speak with a local This liability may be reduced if the bite is because of the negligence of the person bitten. , and intentional torts. When that happens, the dog bite victim may be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and damages sustained. It is likely that the dog owner will try his best to protect his dog and finances from justice. , a dog owner may also (or alternatively) be liable to a dog bite victim if the dog owner did something that a reasonable dog owner would not have done, or failed to do something that a reasonable dog owner would have done. If the insurance company refuses to offer adequate compensation for your injuries and damages, our skilled attorneys are not afraid to litigate your dog bite case and even take it to trial, if necessary. Let a dog bite attorney help you obtain a favorable outcome in your dog bite case. Florida Dog Bite Laws. In addition, the injured person has no burden of proof that the owner’s lack of reasonable care caused the bite. The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners' knowledge of such viciousness. In other words, if a dog bites, the dog owner pays for the victim’s damages. Florida has a special dog bite statute, FLSA 767.04, which states that owners are liable for dog bites under the following terms: The dog bites another person and/or; The bite occurs on public property, or private property when victim was lawfully on the premises. Florida Protecting Citizens With Dangerous Dog Laws. When do you need to hire a personal injury lawyer? The dangerous dog statute is an important statute within Florida dog bite laws meant to protect the public from dangerous dogs. Florida’s strict liability rules do not apply to everyone in the dog bite context. of the Florida Dog Bite Statute, dog owners can be held strictly liable when their dog bites a person and causes an injury. Overview of Florida dog bite law. The 2020 Florida Statutes. 2 This article provides a springboard into this dynamic area of law, explaining the general legal … But you don’t have to do it alone. Conversely, the common law approach meant that owners would not be liable for dog bites if they had no reason to know that their dog had a propensity to bite … Florida Dog Bite Laws . As the statistics above demonstrate, dog bites are a common occurrence in Florida. The Florida dog bite statute. When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer? Fortunately, there are important laws in Florida that protect animal attack victims. Read on to join us as we explore common dog bite defenses in regards to Florida law. This is the standard that most injury claims follow. Good throughout the USA. There are two legal theories that states use to determine liability for a dog attack. Since time may be of the essence, you should not delay in seeking skilled legal representation in your dog bite case. Dog bite laws vary by state and often are confusing combinations of the "one bite" rule and county ordinances, state law, and case law. A dog bite victim in Florida can recover compensation under a special statute and the doctrines of negligence, negligence per se, scienter, and intentional tort. Dog Bite Laws in Florida. Dolman Law Group800 North Belcher RoadClearwater, FL 33765(727) 451-6900, A Team Committed to Personal Service and Accessibility. For example, maybe you sustained a dog bite at a Florida residence when legally performing work on someone’s property. 767.04 Dog owner’s liability for damages to persons bitten.—. Common law dog bite claims may be brought against dog owners to the extent not covered by Florida’s Dog Bite Statute (Florida Statute §767.04). Florida’s Animal Attack and Dog Bite Laws. Dog owners can be held liable for any damages their dogs inflict. Permanent scarring (especially facial scarring). Dog bites can result in very serious injuries, compensation for your injuries and damages, Police or military dogs performing their duties, Damages to property caused by a vicious dog. They can be held criminally responsible for any injuries caused by a dangerous … Liability for Dog Bites. Under this section, there is no need to prove that the dog was dangerous. Fortunately, dog bite laws in Florida are very victim-centered. The skilled dog bite lawyers at Dolman Law Group know and understand Florida dog bite laws and can use the laws to your advantage in helping you recover monetary compensation for your injuries and damages. Under Florida law, the following legal defenses may apply in the dog bite context: Assumption of risk by the dog bite victim, If you have sustained injuries as a result of a dog bite incident, you should contact a knowledgeable Florida dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to assist you with your case. Florida law says that a dog owner is liable for damages because of a dog bite even if the owner has no prior knowledge of the dog’s propensity to bite. The skilled dog bite lawyers at Dolman Law Group know and understand Florida dog bite laws and can use the laws to your advantage in helping you recover monetary compensation for your, To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a Clearwater dog bite lawyer, please call us at (727) 451-6900 today or, © 2021 Dolman Law Group. This means that the dog’s owner is liable for any damages the animal causes, regardless of whether the owner had fault in the attack. Under Florida law, a dog owner is presumed to have acted in a negligent manner if she violates a law or statute that is already on the books. Pursuant to Section 767.04 of the Florida Dog Bite Statute, dog owners can be held strictly liable when their dog bites a person and causes an injury. Under Florida Law, a Dangerous Dog is: a dog that has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted a “severe injury” on a human. This means dog owners in the state can be held liable if the dog bites another person, even if the owner did not have any reasonable knowledge or prior warning that the dog might bite. Florida Dog Bite Liability Laws. Dog owners in our state have a responsibility to maintain control of their dogs, particularly if their pet meets the definition of a “dangerous dog” as set forth in Chapter 767 of the Florida Statutes.On local levels, most counties in the state have leash laws to help keep people and other animals safe from uncontrolled dogs that may become aggressive, but there are no Florida-wide leash laws. Dog Bite Liability. Dog bite laws in Florida exist to identify who is liable for any damages when these attacks occur. All rights reserved. Florida's dog bite law requires an injured person to be "lawfully" in the place where the bite occurred in order to recover damages. Florida’s dog bite statute states that a dog owner is responsible for injuries if: (1) the dog bites another person; and (2) the person is in a … Florida Dog Bite Statutes The way that the Florida dog bite laws affect your claim depends on the circumstances of the bite or attack. However, the claimant cannot have contributed to the bite and injuries in any way. The first type of law that covers dog bites in Florida is known as strict liability. In fact, dog bites are so common that the Florida Legislature has passed very specific statutes that dictate the extent of a dog owner’s liability if their dog attacks or injures a human or another person’s animal. If you have sustained injuries as a result of a dog bite incident, you should contact a knowledgeable Florida dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to assist you with your case. For example, an owner would be held liable if the dog bit someone before. Florida law treats injuries caused by dog bites with a strict liability standard. Florida dog owners are responsible for any and all of the damages caused by their canines. So … A person who is trespassing on private property without permission is not "lawfully" on the private property. Florida uses a statutory strict liability standard for animal attacks. Some of the more common injuries and damages sustained in St. Petersburg dog bite cases include the following: If a dog bite victim “contributes” to the incident, his monetary recovery could potentially be reduced based on the victim’s percentage of fault. ® All Rights Reserved. Contact a Clearwater Dog Bite Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Case. Statutory Strict Liability . Lawfully Upon … Download and use today. The knowledgeable dog bite lawyers at Dolman Law Group are aware of all filing deadlines and can ensure that your legal rights are preserved. Dangerous dogs are typically impounded and put down if the injuries they cause are severe. A highly rated legal best-seller. Florida’s strict liability dog bite law covers only the injuries caused by dog bites. Section 767.04 holds dog owners liable when their animal bites and injures someone. Injuries and damages sustained in dog bite cases can potentially be catastrophic and long-term. Tips and Tricks for Dog Bite Lawyers has all the practice pointers and winning strategies that a victim's lawyer needs. In dog bite cases, as in all Florida personal injury cases, time may be of the essence, and the law only provides a set window of time for you to bring a claim against a dog owner or file a lawsuit in the Florida court system. This basically means that an owner of a dog that bites and injures another person is liable regardless of the former aggressive or violent behavior of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of that behavior. Under Florida law, owners of dogs are Strictly liable for any attack. Usually, it does not matter how extensive your wounds are. Even if a dog’s bite at first seems minor, if the wound becomes infected, or if a victim requires cosmetic surgery, the expenses are the responsibility of the hound owner. Florida is a “strict liability” state in terms of dog bites. In addition to not having a “one bite” law, Florida State also uses “dangerous dog laws” to label canines that have posed a threat to people in the past. In other words, under Florida’s statutory strict liability standard, the dog owner can still be deemed liable for a dog’s bite injuries, even if the dog has never bitten anyone in the past or previously exhibited any vicious or aggressive propensities, such as growling or gritting its teeth at passersby. Other states in addition to … Any negligence on the part of the dog bite victim could potentially reduce the dog owner’s liability, based upon the victim’s percentage of fault. They might be able to argue you don’t deserve full compensation by claiming the dog bite occurred at least in part because you blatantly ignored signs indicating a dog was dangerous, approaching it anyway. Therefore, if a dog owner walks a dog without a leash or lets the dog roam around the neighborhood unsupervised, the dog owner may be presumed negligent in the event that the dog bites someone and causes injuries. Fla.Stat.§767.01 states very clearly that owners of dogs shall be liable for any damage done … To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a Clearwater dog bite lawyer, please call us at (727) 451-6900 today or contact us online. Therefore, if a claim or lawsuit is not filed within the required four-year time period, the dog bite victim is forever barred from filing suit or seeking monetary recovery for injuries sustained in the dog bite incident. Save hours of work! There are two Florida dog bite laws. © 1999-2021 Kenneth Morgan Phillips. The first theory is known as negligence. Demand Letter and Brief for Dog Bite Case, Avoiding Liability When Working With Dogs, The "Bad Dog" sign exception to the Florida statute, Non-bite injuries to person or animal in Florida, Litigation forms and other materials for attorneys, If your case involves injury to a dog, see When a Dog Is Injured or Killed, The Undemurrable Complaint and Supporting Authorities - California. Florida law requires the victim of a dog bite injury to be “lawfully” in the place where the bite occurs. Florida law provides several bases of recovery for dog bite victims, including statutory strict liability, negligence, negligence per se, and intentional torts. Trying to decipher when a person is liable for their dog’s actions can be hard to understand. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries as a result of a serious dog bite that occurred in the State of Florida, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under one or more of these laws. Florida Statute section 767.04 governs the law pertaining to dog bite injuries. They can also review and evaluate your dog bite claim and can use Florida’s dog bite laws to your advantage when it comes to maximizing your monetary recovery. Dog bite defenses seek to dissociate the dog owner from the damage inflicted by the dog. Florida Dog Bite Law. Statutory strict liability provides a basis for monetary recovery by an injured dog bite victim, without regard to fault on the part of the dog owner. In serious cases, an aggressive dog may be declared as dangerous under Florida law. proximately resulting in the dog bite and the victim’s subsequent injuries. Statutory strict liability provides a basis for monetary recovery by an injured dog bite victim, without regard to fault on the part of the dog owner. Overview of Florida Dog Bite Law Florida is a statutory strict liability state. Florida is a “strict liability” state for dog bite accidents. Good throughout the USA. This same deadline applies to all personal injury cases in Florida. Pursuant to Section 767.04 of the Florida Dog Bite Statute, dog owners can be held strictly liable when their dog bites a person and causes an injury. If you have suffered from a dog bite injury in Bradenton, FL., it may reassure you to know that the Florida legal system is tough on dog owners. Statutory Strict Liability and Florida Dog Owners, Florida, like many other states in the country, utilizes a legal standard known as statutory strict liability when it comes to dog bite cases. Pursuant to. (Florida Statute 767.04) In some cases, dog owners have homeowners insurance that will cover the expenses caused by the injuries. In Florida, there is a statute that’s specific to dog bites, and that’s statute FLSA 767.04. A dog bite victim can recover damages pursuant to the dog bite statute and all of the causes of action discussed in Legal Rights of Dog Bite Victims in the USA, namely negligence, negligence per … In dog bite cases, as in all Florida personal injury cases, time may be of the essence, and the law only provides a set window of time for you to bring a claim against a dog owner or file a lawsuit in the Florida court system. If you are considering filing a lawsuit to recover damages for your Florida dog bite injury, then you should contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience with dog bite cases. A severe injury is one that causes broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations that require sutures or reconstructive surgery; The second legal theory is known as strict liability. Unlike many other states, Florida has a statute that governs dog bites. Personal Service and Accessibility legal theories that states use to determine liability for a attack! 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