Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, so an attack can feel like the ultimate betrayal. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you’re probably angry, hurt and confused, and you might not know what to do next. The legal team at Hunter Law P.A. has succeeded in helping many victims of dog bites in the state of Florida.
You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog: What Do You Do?
It’s important to stay calm and keep your wits about you. The first step is to contact the authorities. You might not think that your injuries are severe enough to require a 911 call, but this is a public safety protocol. If someone in your community has an aggressive dog that they’re unable to control, it’s a major threat to everyone’s safety, and the authorities need to make a report. If you allow the incident to go unchecked, the dog could continue to be a danger to the members of the community, including small children and other pets.
Another reason to dial 911 is to get medical attention as quickly as possible. A dog attack is a frightening thing to go through, which means you’ll be in shock afterward. You might not realize the severity of your injuries. You also might not realize the risk of contracting a disease from the dog bite. Getting the injuries cleaned and dressed by a medical professional and receiving other treatments right away will ensure you recover quickly as possible.
Lastly, you need to document your injuries in case you want to pursue a lawsuit in the future. The experts at Hunter Law P.A. have seen the difficulties that come from injuries going undocumented. Instead of risking a problem with your case, be sure to get everything on paper while you can.
Dog Bites in the State of Florida: What Are Your Rights?
In Florida, dog owners have strict liability, meaning they are responsible for what their dog does to others. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, if you’re attacked by a dog while trespassing on someone’s property, the owner won’t be considered at fault. If the owner has put up a sign warning of a dangerous dog, and you proceed into the area anyway, the owner may be released from any liability as well.
- Comparative Negligence
Every case is unique, and knowing you were at fault doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t speak with a personal-injury attorney. In some cases, both the dog owner and the victim are partially at fault, and you still might be able to recover some of your medical costs and other damages. This type of situation is known as comparative negligence.
- Negligence
The standard in Florida is for dog owners to be liable, but an additional level of liability can sometimes be established if the owner did something to contribute to the attack in addition to simply not controlling their dog.
- Negligence Per Se
This simply means that the owner violated a law that led to you getting attacked by the dog. For example, if someone is violating leash laws by allowing their dog to roam freely through the neighborhood, they will be found negligent if their dog causes an injury.
- Intentional Torts
This means that someone purposefully tried to get their dog to attack you, usually by shouting a command or working the dog into a state of aggression until it attacks. It’s terrible to think of someone using an innocent creature as a weapon like this, but it unfortunately does happen.
Statute of Limitations in Florida: How Long Do You have to File Your Personal-injury Claim?
You have four years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit in the state of Florida. However, waiting years to file will significantly reduce your chances of recovering damages. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file if some time has passed, but if the dog bite is recent, and you’re going back and forth about whether you should file or not, know that the sooner you do, the better. Even if you got your injuries documented by a medical professional, it may prove to be difficult to get in contact with witnesses or others who could help back up your case after years have passed.
If you’ve suffered an injury as the result of a dog attack, and you aren’t sure what to do, please contact Hunter Law P.A. today. Their experienced legal team is ready to guide you through this tough time, providing you with qualified legal guidance and getting your case settled as quickly as possible.