Seminole Dog Bite Lawyer

Trusted Dog Bite Attorney in Seminole, FL

Whether you encounter dogs at Boca Ciega Millennium Park or while visiting friends and family at their homes, it’s vital to know your legal options if you are bitten and seriously injured by someone else’s dog. While most people regularly have positive interactions with dogs, any dog can potentially inflict severe injuries without warning. A Seminole dog bite lawyer is the ideal resource to consult if this has happened to you.

Representing Dog Bite Victims in Seminole, FL

Ronald Bone, P.A. has more than 30 years of experience representing injured clients in Seminole and surrounding communities of Pinellas County in a wide range of injury cases. Attorneys throughout Florida often refer cases to Ronald because of his proven trial record and history of securing substantial verdicts and settlements in some of the most challenging injury claims. Our team is confident we can help you build a strong case in response to a dog bite injury.

When you hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you, you have a much greater chance of building a successful case. Florida enforces a strict liability rule for dog bites, meaning that a dog owner is fully responsible for any harm their pet inflicts on another person, except under specific conditions. We can help you assert strict liability and claim compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Understanding Florida’s Dog Bite Laws

Florida enforces a strict liability statute for dog bites. Under this statute, a dog owner is fully responsible for any damages their pet causes as long as:

• The victim of the attack was lawfully present at the location where the attack occurred. This means the attack must have occurred on public property or on private property where the victim was permitted to enter.
• The victim did not do anything to provoke the dog, such as abusing it or aggressing its owner. Dog owners may claim that victims somehow caused their dogs to attack, and witness testimony can be crucial for assessing the truth of such allegations.

Even if the dog has no known history of aggression or previous attacks, the dog owner is still fully responsible for damages under the strict liability rule. Your Seminole dog bite attorney can help you assert strict liability, proving that you did not provoke the dog and that your case meets the criteria necessary for strict liability to apply. Your attorney can also help you fight any allegations of comparative negligence that could diminish your case’s value.

Claiming Compensation in a Dog Bite Case

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are about 90 million dogs in the United States, and about 45% of homes in the country have at least one dog. Every year, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs nationwide, and Florida ranks within the top ten states with the greatest numbers of reported dog bites each year.

While larger breeds and dogs with strong jaws are generally the most dangerous when they bite, virtually any dog can potentially inflict severe injuries in an attack. A dog’s teeth and claws can cause puncture wounds and lacerations. Thrashing can potentially break bones and cause nerve damage. If the victim is knocked to the ground, they may suffer fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and facial injuries.

Some dog attacks leave victims permanently disabled and/or disfigured. These are also extremely traumatizing incidents that have a high chance of causing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and other mental health complications. Some victims may face expensive medical bills, be left unable to work for extended periods, and many contend with severe physical pain and psychological suffering after these incidents.

Your Seminole dog bite lawyer can calculate the damages you are eligible to claim from the owner of the dog that injured you. In most personal injury cases in Florida, injured plaintiffs have the right to claim both economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of defendants’ negligence or misconduct. Your attorney may be able to help you recover:

• Medical expenses. Many victims of dog attacks require expensive medical care. The plaintiff in a dog bite claim has the right to seek compensation for both immediate and future medical expenses resulting from the accident, such as emergency room bills, ambulance fees, and the cost of any ongoing rehabilitative treatment they need to recover as fully as possible.
• Lost wages. The victim of a dog attack may be unable to work during their recovery, or their injuries may be severe enough that their future earning capacity has been permanently diminished. Your attorney can calculate lost wages and lost earning capacity and add these as economic damages in your case.
• Property damage. The plaintiff can seek compensation for any property damage the defendant’s dog caused, such as damage to their home, vehicle, or personal belongings.
• Pain and suffering. Florida’s personal injury laws allow injured plaintiffs to seek compensation for the physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological trauma they experienced. Your attorney can determine an amount that suitably reflects the severity of your experience and the scope of long-term or permanent harm the dog caused.

You may be eligible to claim more compensation than you initially expected, but you need experienced legal counsel on your side if you want to have the greatest chance of reaching a favorable conclusion to your case. Ronald Bone, P.A. has a strong record of securing large settlements and verdicts in challenging personal injury cases, so our team is confident we can help you secure appropriate compensation for the losses you suffered.

Many personal injury cases filed in Pinellas County are resolved through private settlement negotiations, but this isn’t always possible. If the dog owner denies liability and refuses to negotiate a settlement, your case may need to be resolved through litigation. Ronald Bone, P.A. is a respected trial attorney with a strong litigation record, so our team is confident we can assist you through any courtroom proceedings necessary in resolving your dog bite claim.

You have a short time to build and file a dog bite claim in Seminole. After you receive medical treatment for your injuries, you should reach out to an experienced attorney at your first opportunity so they can start building your case. Ronald Bone, P.A. is ready to help, so reach out to our firm right away to learn more about the legal services we provide.

FAQs

What Happens to the Dog After a Bite in Seminole?

After a dog bites someone in Seminole, state law requires that the owner surrender the dog for a mandatory ten-day medical quarantine to evaluate the dog’s health and temperament, and to determine whether the dog carries rabies or other infectious diseases. Usually, the dog is released to its owner after this quarantine, but if the dog is determined to be a threat to public health and safety, the court may order it to be euthanized.

What Does Comparative Fault Mean in a Dog Bite Case?

In a dog bite case, comparative fault means that multiple parties share liability for the damages in question. In some personal injury cases, this can result in plaintiffs receiving less compensation. However, if a plaintiff is found to have contributed to the dog attack in question, then this could negate the dog owner’s strict liability. For example, trespassing or provoking the dog could mean that strict liability does not apply.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Claim Worth in Seminole?

The value of a dog bite claim in Seminole largely depends on the severity of the injuries it caused. Your Seminole dog bite attorney can help you prove all medical expenses, lost income, and property damage you are eligible to claim from the defendant, and your attorney can also help you secure appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering.

Can a Dog Owner Be Criminally Charged for Their Dog Biting?

A dog owner could be criminally charged for their dog biting under certain conditions. If the dog was known to be dangerous and the owner was required to follow strict rules to prevent their dog from harming anyone and they breached these rules, or if they ordered their dog to attack someone, the dog owner could face criminal charges based on the severity of resulting harm to the victim.

Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?

You should hire a dog bite lawyer to have a better chance of not only succeeding with your case but also a better chance of obtaining suitable compensation for your damages. Your attorney can help you assert strict liability for the incident, accurately assess all of the damages you are eligible to claim, and help you build a cohesive personal injury case against the dog owner.

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Ronald Bone, P.A. and his team have proven experience resolving some of the most challenging personal injury cases in Seminole. If you or a loved one are struggling in the aftermath of a dog attack, it is crucial to know where you can turn for legal representation you can trust. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Seminole dog bite lawyer. We look forward to handling your case.