Brandon Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend, but that is not always the case. Even the friendliest dogs are unpredictable and can bite and attack without provocation. State law in Florida is very strict and holds dog owners liable for any injuries they cause. If you or someone you love was hurt by a dog, you may be able to hold the owner of the animal liable for paying damages for all of your losses. Below, our Brandon dog bite lawyer explains in further detail.
Strict Liability Governs Dog Bite Cases in Florida
Dog owners in Florida are held strictly liable when their animal injures someone. This means that victims do not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent. They also do not have to prove that the dog had bitten someone before or that the owner knew that the dog had aggressive or violent tendencies. Victims must only prove that a specific dog bit them and that they were injured as a result. When they can prove these elements, dog bite victims can file a claim against the owner for compensation.
Comparative Negligence in Florida
In 2023, sweeping changes were made to Florida’s comparative fault laws. For decades, Florida was a pure comparative fault state. This means that when accident victims were even 99 percent at fault for the accident that resulted in injuries, they could still file a claim for compensation. This was rarely practical, as these injured individuals could only claim 1 percent of the overall compensation available.
Today, comparative negligence governs accidents and dog bites in Florida. This means that accident victims can only file a claim for compensation if they are 50 percent or less at fault for an accident. When it comes to dog bites, this typically means that injured individuals may not be eligible for compensation if they taunted or otherwise provoked a dog into biting them.
Long-Term Complications of Dog Bites
Dog bites will result in many injuries including puncture wounds, lacerations, crushing injuries, nerve damage, and more. While these are the immediate injuries suffered, dog bites also cause long-term complications.
Of these complications, infections are some of the most common. There are 4.5 million dog bites every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of these, approximately one in five become infected. Rabies is a virus that causes a rabies infection. If rabies is not treated immediately, it is usually fatal.
In the best of cases, infected dog bites will only result in swelling that is red and painful. However, when a person has a weak immune system, an infection can result in swollen joints, swollen glands, and difficulty moving. Staph infections are particularly dangerous because they can infect the urinary tract, skin, and lungs. Staph infections can be fatal if they spread to the lungs or the blood.
Call Our Dog Bite Lawyer in Brandon for a Consultation
At Anderson & Anderson our Brandon dog bite lawyer knows the serious injuries animals can cause and is dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve afterwards. Call us today at 813-251-0072 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help you, too.
