It can be hard to resist the allure of a four-legged friend. Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, after all. Unfortunately, not all dogs have a sweet and loving temperament. Animals can be unpredictable, and when they snap, the consequences can be devastating, especially for small children. If you or a loved one has been injured, it can be devastating. You may be entitled to dog bite compensation to help cover medical bills, emotional trauma, and other related costs.
You deserve maximum compensation for your dog bite injuries. However, pursuing compensation can feel daunting. Many individuals are unsure where to start and fear repercussions, such as the loss of a friendship or harm to a family member’s pet. Yet, if you don’t take immediate steps to protect yourself, you may find that covering your medical expenses and other injuries becomes out of reach.
Maximizing compensation for a Florida dog bite injury starts with understanding the basics of dog bite cases, who is liable, and what fair compensation looks like for your dog bite-related injuries.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite?
Yes. You can sue for a dog bite. Depending on your situation, you may have several options for pursuing maximum compensation for a dog bite injury. The first option most people seek is an insurance claim with the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance company. Information from the Insurance Information Institute shows that dog bite insurance claims continue to grow, with 22,658 claims filed in 2024. Liability claims for dog bites cost insurance companies roughly $1,570 million.
Florida comes in just behind California in terms of the number and cost of dog bite claims in the United States. Understanding liability for dog bites and compensation for damages is crucial if you or someone you love is injured, as it can help you hold the right person accountable and recover the costs of medical care, lost wages, and emotional distress.
While a dog bite injury claim is the most common method for recovering compensation, individuals can also file a dog attack lawsuit seeking maximum compensation for their injuries. A lawsuit can be significantly more time-consuming, but it may also be the best option to recover maximum compensation for dog bite injuries and hold the careless pet owner responsible for their actions.
Numerous factors determine which option is best for your situation. An experienced Florida dog bite attorney can review your situation and outline which option offers the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
One aspect of maximizing compensation for a dog bite injury is understanding who may be held liable. Florida law dictates that strict liability applies in dog bite cases. Under this law, Florida dog owners are liable for bite injuries their animal causes to another person. Owners are responsible for compensating victims regardless of whether they know their animal is vicious or not.
While the law explicitly outlines that dog owners are liable for dog bites, the law says nothing about dog attacks. If the dog attacked and injured you, but did not bite you, you could still file a claim with the dog’s owner’s insurer, but this time your claim would be based on a theory of negligence. You’d have to prove that the dog’s owner had negligently managed the dog somehow and that their negligence was the cause of your injury settlement.
It may be possible to hold another party responsible through a negligence case. For example, dog walkers, the dog owner’s landlord, or other parties may face a negligence suit if a victim can prove the party was responsible for the dog when the attack occurred. They’d also have to prove that the other party failed to take reasonable steps to protect others from the dog.
Dog bite victims should also understand that there are potential defenses to a dog bite case. For a dog owner to be liable for a bite, the victim must have been in a public place or, lawfully, in a private residence or location. Trespassers, or individuals not given explicit or implied permission to be on private property, do not have the same rights to pursue compensation as others if a dog bites them. People who ignore a “bad dog” sign on a dog owner’s private property may also have difficulty holding the owner liable unless they can prove the owner’s negligence contributed to the incident. Ominous dog signs offer some liability protection to dog owners.
Compensation in Dog Bite Injury Claims
Maximizing compensation for a dog bite injury claim also comes down to understanding what compensation you can seek for your injuries. Although the value of a dog bite claim varies depending on the severity of a person’s injuries and the cause of the attack, information from the Insurance Information Institute shows that the average dog bite claim in Florida cost $55,680 in 2023.
Please read more about the injury claim here: Understanding Workplace Injury Claims in Florida
Most victims can pursue money for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover measurable losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate a victim for subjective, quality-of-life issues such as mental distress or pain and suffering. In Florida, compensation a victim may pursue after a dog bite or animal attack can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
In rare cases, a civil lawsuit can also net a victim punitive and economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages do not compensate victims for their injuries. Instead, they are a financial penalty the court can use to punish an individual for gross negligence. A skilled dog bite attorney can help determine which damages may be available depending on the circumstances of your case.
A Florida Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help Maximize Compensation
At The Bruner Law Firm, our Panama City dog bite attorneys want to help you maximize your compensation. Our team can evaluate all your legal options and pursue the avenue with the best chance of offering a favorable outcome to your situation. We understand how a dog bite can physically, emotionally, and financially change your life. Let us fight to protect you and help you get back on your feet again.
Contact our office now or call us at (850) 243-2222 to request a free case evaluation. We can review the specifics of your situation, help you understand your legal rights, and outline the best options for pursuing maximum compensation for your dog bite injuries.
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