Frequently Asked Florida Dog Bite Injury Questions
It is not always easy from first glance to tell if a canine is friendly to others or prone to biting. This is why it is always an important safety step to ask an owner before petting a dog. It is also vitally important to keep an eye on children around dogs they are unfamiliar with because children tend to be some of the highest risk groups for animal bites. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite you likely have many questions as to what you should do next. Here are some of the most frequent questions dog bite victims ask.
Do I have a case?
This is the most frequently asked question and for good reason. The severity of your injuries, as well as the history of the dog’s behavior, will play a part in determining your case’s viability. In the state of Florida, dog owners are liable for all injuries that their pet inflicts on another person. It is unnecessary to prove negligence to receive compensation for medical bills.
Who is responsible for injuries?
The owner of the animal holds the liability so finding out the details of the owner is important if you do not already have that information. Pictures are always important for injury claims, and taking one of the dogs, if possible, can help. Additionally, taking note of the location where the bite occurred is helpful. Writing down details of the incident is also beneficial, as you could be faced with defenses from the liable party that you were trespassing or disturbing the dog. After a bite, it is important to contact the authorities, animal protection should be called to do an investigation.
Additionally, depending on where the dog lives other parties can be liable. If a person rent’s a home or lives in a multi-person dwelling where the owner of the property knows that there is a threatening and dangerous animal on the premises, this individual can hold liability for damages and injuries.
What information is important to obtain from the dog owner?
Finding out the health status of the dog is important so ask if the animal is up-to-date with shots.
What if the dog owner is not cooperative?
This is where contacting animal control gets involved is the most valuable because they will launch an investigation that will obtain the important information you need for your claim.
What is the Animal Liability Exclusion Clause?
There are circumstances when a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance has an animal liability exclusion clause. If this is the case, these insurance provider’s will not cover dog bite injuries. This is important information that should be understood by your Tampa dog bite attorney early in the process of building your case.
If the owner does not have insurance to cover the costs of a claim, and if they also have no valuable assets, then one of our lawyers at Fulgencio Law will be able to analyze your claim further. We will determine the feasibility of moving forward with a personal injury claim. If the result is that there is no viability or practicality to pursuing your claim we will confirm that for you so you don’t waste your time and money.
Effective Tampa Dog Bite Attorneys
It is understandable to have questions about your dog bite incident. Contact the experienced Florida dog bite attorneys at Fulgencio Law with all of your concerns. Our dedicated team of Tampa personal injury attorneys is here to discuss your experience with you during a free consultation at (813) 463-0123.
