If you are facing the consequences of a dog attack, you may want to look into your legal options. Read on and reach out to our skilled Panama City dog bite attorneys today. Our legal team is here to help ensure you obtain the compensation you need to heal.
Can I pursue legal action for a dog attack in Florida?
Keep in mind that in Florida, pet owners are held accountable for the behavior and actions of their dogs. Essentially, if an individual’s dog attacks or causes harm to another person, the dog owner will be held responsible for that behavior. It is essential to note, however, that in order to successfully bring a claim against a dog owner for a dog bite injury, the injured party must demonstrate that they were attacked in a public place or while they were legally on private property. In the event that a dog owner can establish that the injured person actually instigated their dog, which caused the bite, a legal claim may not be possible. Furthermore, if the dog bite happened while an individual was trespassing on another’s property when he or she was bit, then it may not be possible to file a legal claim.
What steps should I take after my injury?
If an injured wants to seek legal compensation for their dog attack injury, it is imperative that he or she takes a number of steps to ensure they adequately satisfy the burden of proof. This means that the injured party will be required to prove that the dog owner was negligent in handling or training his or her dog, which directly caused the incident to occur. In order to prove this with evidence, the injured party and their attorney will need to analyze the history of the dog to see if any claims were made against it in the past for attacks. If a similar incident occurred before and the dog owner did not improve the dog’s behavior, they can be found liable.
In addition to reporting the dog’s history of violence, there are further pieces of evidence that can strengthen a negligence claim. These include and are not limited to the following:
- Police reports from the accident
- Medical documentation of the injuries
- Witness statements to confirm the claim
- Security footage of the accident if it occurred in a public place
Contact our experienced Florida firm
Here at Manuel & Thompson, P.A., we understand the potentially devastating effect that an injury can have on an individual and his or her family, which is why we are dedicated to helping all those who’ve been injured due to no fault of their own. Our firm also proudly handles insurance disputes, hurricane claims, fire loss claims, commercial litigation, and construction law matters. To discuss your case with our experienced Panama City personal injury attorneys, contact Manuel & Thompson, P.A. today for your free consultation.
