If you were injured as a result of a dog bite in Florida, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Reach out to our skilled Florida personal injury attorneys today to learn more about your options and how our firm can best support you.
Can I take my dog bite injury to court in Florida?
Dog owners in Florida are responsible for the behavior and actions of their pets. This suggests that in the event that their dog attacks or causes harm to another person, the dog owner will be held liable for that behavior. It is important to note, however, that in order to successfully bring a claim against a dog owner for a dog bite injury, the injured party must prove that they were attacked in a public place or while they were legally on private property. In the case where the dog owner can prove that the injured person actually provoked their dog, which resulted in a bite, a legal claim may not be feasible. Additionally, if the dog bite occurred while an individual was trespassing on another’s property when he or she was bit, then a lawsuit may not be possible.
What should I do after a dog bite incident?
An injured individual that wants to pursue legal action after they were bitten by a dog should take the following steps. It is important to note that the injured party holds the burden of proof, which requires them to prove that the dog owner was negligent in handling or training his or her dog, which directly resulted in the incident. In order to prove this with evidence, the injured party and their attorney will need to delve into the history of the dog to see if any claims were made against it in the past for attacks. If a similar incident happened before and the dog owner did not improve the dog’s behavior, they can be found responsible.
Besides reporting the dog’s history of violence, there are additional pieces of evidence that can bolster a negligence claim. These include 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.
