Dog Bite
South Florida’s year-round tropical climate does not only attract people in search of these ideal conditions but also their pets; more specifically, their dogs. According to a national study, Fort Lauderdale ranked in the top 20 of the best cities across the country for pet lovers. The city shared the company of 7 other major Florida cities that also populated the top 20. With the most common pet being the dog, the potential of a dog bite accident is ever-present in Fort Lauderdale. Whether you’re attacked by your roommate’s dog or a random dog at the park, you have the right to sue, and this is best accomplished with the help of an attorney.
The Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP are here ready to serve as your legal representation throughout the claims process. Being that you cannot file a personal injury claim for a dog bite when the dog has no owner (a stray dog), we can help identify the true owner of the dog who caused your injuries and pursue a claim for all accident-related damages on your behalf. Reach out to our team today to discover the full extent of your legal options.
While some may see them as trivial, dog bites are legitimate grounds for a personal injury claim due to the injuries they can cause. It is not unusual for individuals to suffer severe lacerations or have bites that rip through veins and arteries, causing extensive bleeding.
Although many dog owners try to excuse their pet’s actions by suggesting that it was your behavior that led to the incident, more often than not, the owner is to blame. Dog bite accidents in Fort Lauderdale commonly result from one of the following:
- Distracted owners
- Unleashed dogs
- Aggressive dogs set free in public
- Owners inviting strangers to pet their dog
- Owners commanding their dog to attack an individual
Florida Statute § 767.04 explains that for a dog owner to be liable for another’s injuries, the dog must have bit another person while he or she was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. This means that if you are invited into a friend’s home and are bitten by their dog, you have the same grounds to pursue a lawsuit as if you were bitten by a stranger’s dog while walking down the street.
While the statute only references dog bites, you can pursue a lawsuit for sustaining any injury that was caused by a dog. For example, if you were knocked over and injured by a dog, you can still pursue a personal injury claim against the owner.
The immediate damage in a dog bite accident may be the medical bills that resulted from injury treatment, but there are a host of others that you can legally pursue compensation for. Some of the most common include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning ability
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Medical equipment
Florida has a strict 4-year statute of limitations on dog bite accidents, meaning that you have within four years of the incident occurring to file a civil claim for damages. Failing to do so results in you being disallowed from being able to pursue damages for that specific incident. Maximize your potential compensation amount while safeguarding your right to seek compensation by reaching out to a dog bite lawyer today.
The Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP are seasoned personal injury attorneys with the experience needed to help guide you through this tough time. We understand that your injuries may have resulted in you missing work and disabling you from performing everyday tasks. Our team is laser-focused on guiding you to the recovery of compensation you’re entitled to by law. Contact us today at (954) 467-8622 for a free case evaluation.
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