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When a dog attacks, the associated damage and fear can be immense. Dog bite injuries are prone to infection, slow to heal, and closely associated with serious scarring. If someone else’s dog leaves you or someone you care about injured, it’s time for the skilled legal representation of an experienced Largo dog bite attorney.
Florida Is A Strict Liability State
Florida is dog friendly, and wherever you go, you’re sure to see people and their pets enjoying the beautiful weather and the great outdoors. This said, however, Florida is also what is known as a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that dog owners are ultimately responsible for any damage their animals cause, and this is true even if the owner had no prior knowledge of their pet’s aggressive tendencies. If a dog bites you when you’re on public property or are legally on private property, which means you aren’t trespassing, you’re covered by the law.
This is in contrast to the so-called one bite laws that some states employ. Such laws lessen a dog owner’s liability somewhat in those instances when the owner had no reason to believe their dog would show aggression toward humans.
The few situations in which strict liability doesn’t apply to the dog owner in Florida include the following:
- When the person bitten didn’t have the right to be on the dog owner’s property in the first place, which means they were trespassing
- When the dog owner had a Beware of Dog sign prominently displayed on their property, which is where the victim was attacked, and took the related precautions necessary – this doesn’t extend to victims who are under the age of six
Dog Bites
Dogs have incredibly strong jaws and teeth that are designed to rip and tear, and as a result dog bites can be exceptionally dangerous – often leaving jagged tears and crushing injuries rather than cuts. The injured area is prone to dangerous infections, secondary health concerns, and other complications like scarring that can lead to permanent disfigurement when the bite is on or near the face.
Your Losses
The losses – or legal damages – you experience as a result of a dog bite can be immense, including in all the following categories:
- Medical expenses that may be ongoing and may include costly and painful plastic surgeries
- Lost income related to lost hours on the job, which may need to address lost earning potential
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering that can be overwhelming in the aftermath of an animal attack and can easily overshadow the other damages you face combined
A key element of your dog bite claim is faithfully representing the full range of your losses, which your dedicated dog bite attorney is well prepared to effectively and efficiently address.
Make The Call To An Experienced Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered an injury because of someone else’s dog, the formidable Largo dog bite attorneys at Mickey Keenan P.A. have the legal skill, experience, and drive necessary to fiercely advocate for your rights and for your rightful compensation. To learn more, please don’t wait to contact us online or call 813-536-6461 today.