Dog Bites
Dog bites occur quite frequently and can often be unprovoked. However, dog bite attacks can be dangerous even when the dog isn’t large. After all, children are common victims of dog attacks, and even small dogs can leave them with terrible injuries. An adult may be better at fighting off a dangerous dog, but victims are often caught by surprise when a dog suddenly becomes violent.
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, it’s important to know your rights when it comes to dog bite injury claims.
At Ligori Law, our Tampa dog bite attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims who have been injured by dogs. We will fight for compensation on your behalf and make sure that you receive the money you deserve. Our firm is committed to making sure that our clients get the best possible results in their cases.
DOG BITE VICTIMS, DID YOU KNOW?
Injuries from dog bites can cause serious physical pain and emotional distress that lasts long after the initial incident has passed. Did you know that:
- Children between 1 and 9 years of age are at the highest risk for dog bites, with boys in this age group at a higher risk than girls
- Children under 10 years of age are more likely to be bitten on the head or neck than other age groups
- Each year, an average of 2 Floridians die from injuries due to dog bites
- Each year, over 600 Floridians are hospitalized due to injuries from dog bites
If you were bitten, the Florida Department of Health recommends that you:
- control the bleeding and wash the area of the bite with soap and water,
- report the accident to your local county health department, animal control agency, or police station, and
- seek medical attention as soon as possible.
THE DOG OWNER’S LIABILITY
Recovering from the bite is only the first layer of problems. Dog bite injuries are not only physically damaging but can also be traumatizing that might eventuate into dog anxiety and fears in the victim. In addition, because dog bites often involve dogs known to the victim and their relatives, the incident is more likely to divide people and result in greater stress.
We could argue on the breed, the way the dog was educated, or even the whole concept of domesticating animals, but even if the attack was an accident, there is often someone to blame: negligent dog owners.
Since a dog attack is often traumatizing and the resultant injuries potentially serious, you may have trouble navigating the Florida dog bite law, managing your legal claim, and the many medical bills and consequences of lost wages that result from a dog bite attack. If you don’t know where to start, you should talk to experienced dog bite attorneys.
As a dog bite victim, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. We have the experience and resources to fight for you against insurance companies and negligent owners of dangerous dogs.
In Florida, dog owners face strict liability for injuries inflicted by their dogs. As the victim of a dog bite, this means that you can recover monetary compensation from the dog’s owner without needing to prove that the dog had a violent temperament, had bitten someone previously, or that the dog’s owner was negligent. Once is enough.
The medical cost of a dog bite can be overwhelming, and the effects of the dog bite can even lead to emotional turmoil, depending on severity. Often there is insurance coverage under the dog owner’s homeowner policy (unless there is a specific exclusion). You should make sure you get the compensation you deserve even if that means filing a dog bite lawsuit.
If you or your loved one has been attacked and injured by a dog in Tampa, you need to be aware of what compensation you may be eligible to receive. Therefore, it is imperative that you consult a Tampa dog bite lawyer who will help evaluate the value of your dog bite claim and weigh in on the fairness of a settlement offer.
By reporting the accident, you also make sure to teach the negligent dog owner something precious. Leave no place for embarrassment or pride here; many people fail to report such accidents because they think “it was not that bad.” However, you should always seek medical help after an animal bite, and you might actually help identify a negligent dog owner and have them on record.
Always report a dog bite injury regardless of the dog or the wound size. Even if the wound looks benign, remember that the most common problem following an animal bite is a simple infection.
Safety Tips for Adults and Children
Dog bites are no laughing matter. They can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and leave lasting scars on the victim. However, there are a few safety tips that follow to avoid the possibility of a dog attack:
- Adults should never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog at the dog owner’s property, not even the family pet.
- Children should never approach or play with dogs unless supervised by an adult.
- Children should tell an adult if they see a stray dog or a dog acting strangely.
- Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
- Don’t look a dog right in the eyes.
- If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and stay still.
- If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Never run from a dog and never scream around a dog.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH TAMPA DOG BITE LAWYERS
We know that the last thing you want to do is think about your injury and how it will affect your life. But if you don’t take care of this now, it could get worse over time. And if someone else is at fault for what happened to you, they should be held accountable for their actions.
When it comes down to it, our law firm is simply passionate about helping people who have been wronged by another person or company recover their losses in court. We believe everyone deserves justice when they’ve been harmed, which is why we work so hard every day to make sure our clients receive fair compensation for their injuries in dog bite claims.
Tampa dog bite lawyers can help you go through this challenging situation and navigate Florida’s dog bite laws. The Ligori Law team is dedicated to helping victims of dog bites, and other animal attacks receive fair compensation for their injuries. We have years of experience helping people just like you who were bitten by dogs. We can help protect your rights and make sure that the insurance company pays what they owe.
You don’t need to go through this alone – let us take care of everything so that you can focus on getting better! Our team is here to answer any questions and guide you through every step of the process. We know how stressful these situations are, which is why we do our best to make things as easy as possible for our clients. Let us handle all aspects of your case so that nothing falls through the cracks while your focus should be on recovering from your injuries.
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, call the office at 877-444-2929 for a free consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer today.
