Florida Dog Bite Lawyers

Experienced Orlando Attorney Fighting on Behalf of Dog Bite Victims

In the state of Florida, dog owners are legally obligated to keep their dogs from biting or injuring others while in a public place, or while the victim is lawfully on private property. Owners are legally responsible for any injuries their pets may cause. Dog bite victims in the Orlando area are entitled by law to full compensation for their medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other dog bite-related expenses when an injury is caused by the carelessness or neglect of a dog owner. If you are injured or if your child is injured by an aggressive dog, speak at once with experienced Orlando dog bite lawyer Robert J. Horst. Attorney Robert J. Horst will help you determine liability in the dog bite accident and then begin to fight for your rights. Robert J. Horst is known to aggressively defend the rights of injury victims in Orlando and throughout central Florida.

A KNOWLEDGEABLE LAWYER CAN DETERMINE LIABILITY IN DOG BITE CASES

Dog bite laws vary by state, but in Florida, most of the time the dog’s owner is held liable for any injuries that his dog has caused. The owner does not have to be aware that his dog is dangerous or exhibits aggressive behavior in order to be held liable. This means even if this is the first time the dog has bitten someone, the owner is still responsible.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If the victim was trespassing on the property at the time of the attack, the owner is not held responsible. The owner may not be completely liable in cases where it can be proven that the victim provoked the dog prior to the attack. In these cases, the victim’s negligence will be taken into consideration when determining whether compensation should be awarded. Finally, the dog’s owner cannot be held liable if there is a legible “Bad Dog” sign placed in a prominent position on their property. The owner will be held liable even if there is a bad dog sign if the victim is under the age of six.

DOG BITES ARE NOT MINOR INJURIES ACCORDING TO ORLANDO ATTORNEYS

Dog bites can result in serious injuries, including amputations, scarring, disfigurement, and long-term psychological difficulties caused by the traumatic ordeal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year in the United States, more than 800,000 victims seek medical dog bite treatment, and more than 30,000 require surgery during their recovery. These are not minor injuries – biting dogs can be deadly dogs, and dog attacks were responsible for 38 fatalities in this country in 2012.

LAW FIRMS CAN REPRESENT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED BY A DOG IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Small children account for more than fifty percent of all dog bite victims. Dog owners must act responsibly to protect others, and parents must teach children to avoid aggressive dogs and to never provoke aggressive dog behavior. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact one of the top personal injury lawyers in Orange County to determine if the person who owns the dog was negligent. If so, Robert J. Horst will help you and your family file a claim and recover damages for your injuries.

SKILLED ORLANDO LAWYERS CAN NEGOTIATE WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES AFTER A DOG BITE

If you have been injured by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If the dog bite occurred on the owner’s property, their homeowners’ insurance policy may cover any damages. If the dog bite occurred off of the owner’s property, pet insurance may cover damages if the owner had coverage at the time of the attack. But, don’t ever speak to an insurance company about the dog bite or your injuries prior to contacting a lawyer. Insurance companies may try to get you to settle quickly for a sum that is far less than what your personal injury claim is worth. Don’t sign any documentation or agree to a settlement before you have consulted with an experienced Orlando dog bite attorney. Our dog bite attorneys can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve to cover all of your expenses and pain and suffering.

HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE A DOG BITE CLAIM IN FLORIDA?

Every state has its own statute of limitations for animal bites and other personal injury cases. In Florida, dog bite victims have four years from the date of the attack to file a claim against the negligent parties. After the four years is up, you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries. But, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to file your claim. The sooner you contact a law firm after a dog bite to discuss your legal options, the better.

TURN TO OUR ORANGE COUNTY LAW FIRM FOR LEGAL HELP AFTER A DOG BITE

When you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you resolve complex legal issues, you’ll also want an attorney who offers sound advice tailored to your specific problems and goals. Attorney Robert J. Horst represents victims in cases involving dog bites, car accidents, brain injuries, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, product liability, premises liability, bicycle accidents, boating accidents, burn injuries, birth injuries, spinal cord injuries, and slip and fall accidents in the Orlando area, Kissimmee, Winter Park, St. Cloud, and throughout central Florida. Please contact experienced lawyer Robert J. Horst by phone at (407) 601-3999, or fill out the online intake form here on our website to schedule a free consultation. If you have been injured by a dog owner’s negligence in the greater Orlando area, don’t wait to make the call to our law firm to schedule your free case evaluation.

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