Florida has a strict liability policy on dogbites. FL Statute 767.04. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their pets do not cause harm to others.
When a dog attacks a person, the injuries can sometimes be severe, requiring emergency and ongoing medical treatment. Scars and disfigurement can occur in serious cases, and in the worst scenarios, victims may be killed.
In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance handles injury claims. If an attack happens while the victim is legally on private property (as an invited guest, to deliver mail, etc.) or while the victim is on public property, the owner is typically liable as long as the victim was not intentionally and persistently antagonizing the animal.
Most dog bites occur to children. In Florida, financial recovery on behalf of a child in a dog bite injury claim is placed in a protective account until the child is 18 in most circumstances. Ensuring that the recovery for your child is maximized and properly structured to provide full benefit to your child’s future is an extraordinarily important reason to seek legal counsel.
