Dog Bite Attorney Tampa

How Will a Dog Bite Attorney in Tampa Defend Your Rights?

A good dog bite injury lawyer represents victims of dog or animal attacks that cause personal injury. Claims for dog or animal bite injuries are covered under the Florida dog bite law, Section 767.04, Florida Statutes. One key feature of this statute is that a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by his animals. This liability does not depend upon any previous vicious behavior by the dog, or upon the owner’s knowledge of its history. 

A dog owner in Tampa, Florida will thus be held liable for any injuries caused due to a dog attack on another person. While there are some defenses available to the owner under the statute, in a dog bite injury, a defendant will be held responsible for damage caused to the victim even if the attack was not predictable. Consulting a Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer, in this case, can help guide the victim.

An attorney will help ensure that an injured victim receives the fair and full compensation he or she is entitled to under the law. A lawyer will ensure that the dog owner responsible for the attack will be held to account for any injuries or damages.

Under the statute, a landlord can also be held liable for bite or claw injuries caused by a tenant’s animal. However, a landlord is not held to a strict standard and the victim will have to show a history of previous issues, either with the particular animal or the breed in general.  

If you or a loved one have been bitten or suffered any injury from an animal or vicious dog, you should consult an experienced dog bite lawyer in Tampa. An experienced lawyer will represent individuals and families suffering from a dog attack, and a competent Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer who has expertise in such matters is a crucial advisor. A dog bite lawyer will capably present the matter to dog owners, renter’s insurance companies, homeowner’s insurance companies, landlords, and defense attorneys in court proceedings. 

In many cases, attorneys will also consult with plastic surgeons and other medical experts. The lawyer understands the nature of dog bite injuries, dog ownership, animal control agencies and procedures, and the classification of vicious breeds.  All of these are complex matters, and an experienced lawyer will help you understand and resolve the issues you face.

A lawyer will help conduct a thorough investigation into the attack, identify sources of compensation, defend you in case the owner makes allegations against you for provoking the dog, calculate the fair value of your compensation by consulting with experts, and negotiate with insurance companies to get the fullest possible compensation. An injured victim should consult a capable Tampa dog bite lawyer.

How Common Are Dog Bite Injuries in Tampa?

Statistics show around 5 million people in America are injured by dog bites every year according to the American Animal Hospital Association. According to the Center for Disease Control,  about 800,000 dog bite victims seek medical treatment each year. More than 13,000 people are hospitalized every year for dog bite injuries.  

If we consider Florida then there are approximately 1281 victims injured by dog bite who file for insurance for the injuries caused each year. This indicates that six of 100,000 people in Florida files claims for injuries caused due to dog bites. The average cost of medical treatment of dog bite injury in Florida was estimated at $44,000 in the year 2018. 

How Do I Determine the Value of a Dog Bite Case?

The value of any dog bite case in Tampa varies based on a number of different parameters. The age of the victim is one important factor. Children are often the most vulnerable to dog attacks. Not only does a child face painful physical injury, but the psychological consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Consult an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa to help you determine the value of your claim for a dog bite. 

Even when an adult is injured, an emotional trauma occurs that can influence the value of the case. Some essential factors in defining the value of any claim include:  

• The severity of the injuries;
• The cost of the medical treatment;
• The duration of the medical rehabilitation and care;
• Whether any disfigurement or permanent disability occurred, and
• The value of lost income 

What Types of Damages Are Available for Dog Bite Injuries

Both economic and non-economic damages can be awarded for dog bite injuries. 

Economic Damages include:

• Medical treatment bills
• Lost income and potential future lost wages
• Future medical expenses
• Physical therapy 
• Occupational therapy
• Psychological counseling, especially for children

Non-economic Damages include:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• PTSD, depression, or anxiety
• Disfigurement
• Scarring 

How Does the Comparative Fault Law in Florida Affect My Dog Bite Claim?

The comparative law in Florida can permit a reduction in compensation if the victim or some other third party is partly to blame for the accident. Damages for dog bite injuries are treated in the same way. Thus, if the dog owner can demonstrate the victim was in any way careless or provoked the animal, compensation could be reduced according to a certain percentage of fault as determined by the court. 

A dog owner might try to blame the injured party for trespass, or for provoking the dog to attack. Dealing with fault in such cases is never an easy task. Therefore, you should seek guidance from an experienced lawyer who will help guide you through the difficult issue of liability and comparative fault.  

If your dog bites someone, you may be liable for injuries the person suffers including medical bills. A Dog Bite Attorney in Tampa can help you understand what you can and cannot do as a result of your pet biting another person. This law also applies to other animal related injuries such as horse falls.

If you are looking for an effective way to handle your personal injury, contact the Berke Law Firm, P.A.. Our attorneys will work to understand your legal concerns and resolve your legal issues.