Even though dogs are a wonderful companion to many, the unfortunate truth is that dogs can sometimes bite. Dogs of any size and breed can bite. A dog bite injury can be deep and painful. You might suffer injuries to your muscles, tendons, nerves, and other critical systems.
If you’re the victim of a dog bite, you may not know where to begin to put your life back together. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we’re here to help you understand the legal implications after a dog bite so you can get the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
When you’re the victim of a dog bite, our dog bite lawyers in Clearwater can help you understand your legal rights. Dog bites send thousands of victims to the emergency room each year. Even though dogs can be wonderful companions, they can still cause damage and devastation when they bite. If you’re the victim of a dog bite, you may have a legal right to financial compensation for your losses.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you don’t have a right to compensation for your dog bite. Many people are confused about what Florida law has to say about dog bites. In fact, Florida has strong laws to protect dog bite victims. If you’re the victim of a dog bite, you may be able to claim compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Dog bite laws in Clearwater come from state and local laws. Pinellas County has rules that protect people from dangerous dogs. Dog owners must take steps to keep their dogs from hurting others under Pinellas County ordinances. The Pinellas County, Florida Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 lists the requirements for dog owners.
In addition, laws in the State of Florida also talk about dog bites. Florida law 767.04 is Florida’s dog bite law. The laws are strict, and they protect dog bite victims.
Under Florida law 767.04, a dog bite victim has the right to compensation from a dog owner if they’re the victim of a dog bite that occurs in a public place. As long as the dog bite victim is lawfully in a public or private place, they have a right to compensation from the dog owner. For example, if you’re walking in a public park and a dog bites you, the dog owner likely owes you compensation. If you’re even walking down the street and you’re bitten by a dog that runs free from their owner’s property, you likely deserve compensation for your injuries under Florida law.
Florida law puts the burden on the dog owner to keep the dog contained. It’s not up to members of the public to avoid public places. Instead, it’s up to a dog owner to control their pet. Florida lawmakers think that it’s most fair to have dog owners cover the damages if someone gets hurt because of a dog bite.
Some people assume that they can’t recover damages from a dog bite if the dog has never bitten before. They think that there’s an unwritten rule that allows each dog to have one “free bite” before the owner is liable for damages.
In Florida, this isn’t the case. Florida law allows dog bite victims to recover for their losses without needing to show that the dog owner is aware of the dog’s vicious nature. In Florida, dog bite laws are strong, and they work to protect victims who are hurt because of dog bites.
One of the questions in a dog bite case is whether the victim did anything to provoke the dog. If a victim contributes to a dog bite injury by provoking the dog, the amount of their claim may be reduced. If you may have done something to contribute to the dog bite, you may still be able to recover for a portion of your damages.
It’s crucial to carefully build your legal claim to defend against false allegations of provocation. Our team of experienced Clearwater dog bite attorneys has the experience to help you develop your claim to defend against unfair accusations. We can help you piece together the evidence in your case to build a strong legal claim.
If you’re the victim of a dog bite, you may deserve a range of compensation. Your losses are not only financial; you also have physical suffering and emotional trauma. A dog bite can cause significant anxiety. It can also keep you from living the life that you used to enjoy. All of these types of losses are genuine losses that can be included in your claim for financial compensation. Our team of Clearwater dog bite attorneys can help you take the proper steps to arrive at a fair value of your claim.
Financial compensation can include your medical bills. If you need follow-up visits or medical supplies to care for your wounds, your claim can include all of these types of losses. Medical expenses can include emergency room care, diagnostic tests, nursing care, and more. You can add the costs of physical therapy. It’s important to keep careful records of expenses during your course of treatment.
Our team of dog bite lawyers in Clearwater can help you place a value on your physical and emotional suffering. It’s more complex than totaling up your medical bills. We can help you understand how the law applies to arrive at a dollar value for your physical and emotional suffering. We can help you take the proper steps to include your physical and emotional suffering as part of your dog bite claim.