Dog bites may sound simple, as if they would heal easily. However, dog bites can do serious harm. In just a few seconds, an animal attack can leave someone with a lifetime of scars and residual effects
Bites from large dogs can cause traumatic injuries or even kill people. If any size of dog attacks or mauls a person, serious and life-threatening wounds can result. Dogs can knock people down flights of stairs, into traffic, or other potentially injurious places.
Florida imposes a tough liability standard on dog owners
Some states impose a high standard on pet owners. Under Florida law, pet owners are legally and financially responsible for the harm their pets cause to other people, regardless of whether the victims had warning that such an attack was likely or the animals had a history of violence. Florida Statute 767.04 makes the owner of any dog liable for the injuries of a bitten person if the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private premises. This includes guests and others, such as:
- Maintenance personnel
- Police officers
- Landlords and property owners
- Postal workers
Tragically, children account for about 50% of all dog bite incidents in Florida. The consequences of an animal attack could include deep bites, scratches, bone fractures, infection, and nerve damage. ALVAREZ GOWER IJURY LAW would pursue all the available compensation you or your child is entitled to after a dog attack, which could include:
- Cost of reconstructive surgery
- Past and future lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical impairment or disability
- Psychological trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you or a loved one has been in the unfortunate circumstance of being involved in an animal bite accident, contact our experienced attorneys immediately to determine your rights to compensation. ALVAREZ GOWER INJURY LAW handles personal injury cases in the Tampa Bay Area and throughout Central Florida. If you or a loved one was injured by a dog, the animal’s owner and landlord’s may be legally and financially responsible for the harm
