Three Things Dog Bite Victims in Florida Should Know
Every day somewhere in the United States, as many as 1,000 people will be given emergency care for a dog bite injury. Every year in the country, over 14,000 people have to go to the hospital after suffering a dog bite wound. If you were hurt by a dog in Florida, you may be able to take legal action to recover the costs associated with your damages. The owner of the dog that bit you could be liable for paying you financial compensation for your damages and in some cases, the owner may be held criminally liable for the event.
If another party’s dog bit you, and that bite has resulted in moderate to serious injuries, you could potentially recover compensation for your medical treatment and more. To learn more about what your rights are and how to get the compensation you need to pay for your damages, the Tampa dog bite lawyers at Fulgencio Law can help.
Rights of Dog Bite Victims in Florida
For residents of Florida that were bitten by a dog or for those that are interested to know how the law applies to dog bite victims in the state, the following information can be beneficial.
- A dog’s owner is responsible for the actions of their pet. Meaning, when a dog attacks, the owner is culpable for the incident happening. As such, the owner will be responsible for paying the victim for all of the losses they suffered. This can include medical bills, lost wages from time away from work, and more.
- The owner is not always the only party that can be responsible for paying compensation to victims for harm that a dog inflicts. Owners of rental properties like homes, apartments, condos, or other dwellings that know their residents have vicious dogs that have the potential to hurt others living on their property could also be liable for dog bite incidents.
- Dogs that bite do not just attack humans. Many times, these dogs can hurt other animals and pets. If a dog bit your pet you may be able to recover some compensation but it would depend on the value of your pet. This is because pets are considered property in Florida. So, if you only paid $300 for your pet but their injuries after their attack amassed $1,200 in veterinary bills you will likely not be able to obtain enough compensation to cover the totality of your pet’s medical costs.
Understanding your rights with respect to dog bite incidents can help you determine what approach you will take if you are victimized. For further assistance, you can call on the Tampa injury attorneys at Fulguncio Law.
Speak with a Dog Bite Attorney Today
Children are the demographic that have the highest number of dog bite injuries reported each year, but anyone could be at risk for a potential dog attack. If you or your child was harmed by a dog, please call the Tampa child injury attorneys at Fulgencio Law to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case at (813) 463-0123.
