Miami Dog and Animal Bite Attorneys

Say you were walking in a public park, minding your own business. Suddenly, a large, leashed dog jumps at you and sinks its teeth into your wrist, piercing the skin. You go to the hospital to get your wound checked out, and you end up with a costly medical bill. Furthermore, the strain on your wrist keeps you from working for several days. 

Under Florida’s dog bite law, the biting dog’s owner in this scenario can be held legally responsible for your medical expenses, missed work, and other damages. It does not matter if the dog had never been aggressive before or if the owner did nothing reckless or negligent. Because the bite occurred on public property, you likely have a claim.

In Florida, you can seek compensation for dog bite-related injuries when:

• You are on public property or have permission to be on private property, and
• A dog bit you (other animal-related injuries are not necessarily covered)

If you were unlawfully present on private property when the dog bite occurs – say you were crossing through someone else’s yard to get to your house – you may still be able to recover compensation. However, you will need to prove the animal owner’s negligence led to the bite. This may be possible if the owner knew their dog had a history of biting others but failed to secure the animal or put up warning signs.

The state of Florida also enforces a “dangerous dog” law. A dog is considered “dangerous” when it attacks, chases, or injures another person without being provoked and/or has killed two or more animals. The owner must register the animal with the local government, secure it on their property (with warning signage), and use a muzzle and leash whenever the dog leaves their property. You may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury claim if a dangerous dog attacks you. Our Miami dog and animal bite attorneys can assess the circumstances of the attack and advise whether you have a case.