Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
There are no bad dogs, but there are irresponsible dog owners. Anyone who owns a dog has the responsibility to ensure their pet does not harm others. When dog owners ignore the law and put others at risk due to poor training, restrictions or other negligence that results in a dog bite injury, they become liable for those injuries. If you need a dog bite injury lawyer in Orlando, you can trust our seasoned legal team at Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law to handle your case.
Florida Statutes 767: Damage by Dogs
There are strict laws regarding dog ownership and liability for dog attacks in Florida. Florida Statutes 767 covers damage by dogs and dangerous dogs, including 767.04 which discusses dog owners’ liability in dog attacks. The law states that dog owners are liable for damages when a dog bites a person in a public place or when the person is lawfully on private property. There are only a few circumstances where a dog owner may not be liable for injuries caused by their dog, which include:
- Bitten person was unlawfully on private property
- Dog owner posted a “bad dog” warning sign on property (unless victim is under age of 6)
- Bitten person provoked the dog – both the dog owner and bitten person may be liable
When a dog attack occurs and it is unprovoked and on public or lawful private property, the dog owner can be responsible for paying for damages. This can be for injuries to a person or damages to livestock or other property. Damages may include medical costs, lost wages, emotional damage and other expenses related to the injury.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can be disfiguring and require extensive medical treatment. In rare cases, dog attacks can be deadly. The CDC estimates that there are 4.5 million dog bites each year in the U.S. and about 800,000 of these attacks require medical care for the injuries. Large dogs such as rottweilers, bully breeds and German shepherds can cause serious injuries, small dogs may bite and cause injuries, but they are less significant. Types of injuries caused by dog bites include:
- Lacerations
- Torn skin, muscle and soft tissue
- Disfiguring scars
- Broken bones
- Infections
- Fatalities
Not only are there physical injuries from dog attacks, but there can be emotional scars left as well. The trauma of a dog attack can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Disfiguring injuries can impact the victim’s appearance and self-confidence. These are all damages that may be considered when pursuing a dog bite personal injury lawsuit against the attack dog’s owner.
A dog bite lawsuit to cover the damages caused by a dangerous dog can help a victim get on the path to recovery. One of our dog bite injury lawyers can file a claim against the dog’s owner to cover the physical and emotional injuries caused by their pet. In many cases, it is the dog owner’s insurance that pays the compensation owned as dog bites are covered under many renters and homeowner insurance policies. This can be a relief to victims who were bitten by dogs owned by a friend, neighbor or family member.
If you live in the Orlando area and you or a family member were seriously injured by a dog attack, contact us at Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law. One of our legal staff can schedule a free consultation to discuss your dog bite injury claim. There is no cost to you unless we win your case – call today for your free legal consultation.