Clearwater Dog Bite Lawyer | Free Consultation and No Obligation

Most of our pets are lovable and friendly. However, under the right circumstances, some dogs can quickly turn dangerous. If a dog owner knows their dog has aggressive tendencies, they have an added responsibility to ensure their dog is properly restrained. If the owner fails to restrain their dog, which results in an attack, the victim may have the right to pursue compensation for damages. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dog bite, it is critical to seek medical attention first to prevent an infection. An experienced dog bite lawyer may be able to help you recover damages in your case, depending on many factors including liability and insurance issues.

Most dogs that are effectively trained pose no threat to others. However, mistakes happen, and the negligence of a dog owner can turn a friendly animal into a dangerous one, even if that dog has never shown aggression before. All it takes is a situation to scare a dog into defensive behavior that can prompt a bite to occur.

When an owner fails to keep their dog safely restrained, even one that has never shown aggression, it can result in an attack that can harm other people and pets, sometimes causing injuries that puncture the skin or resulting in permanent scars.

Florida Dog Bite Law

Contrary to auto accident injuries, animal bite laws in Florida is a specialized form of personal injury law where a victim may be able to obtain compensation for their injuries. While the animal involved is usually a dog, injuries can be the result of an attack from other types of animals.

However, Florida law is specific towards dogs and dog bite injuries. In short, a dog owner is responsible for a person’s injuries that are the result of their dog biting another person in a public place or in private if the victim is lawfully allowed to be there.

Florida has strict laws regarding dog bites that can make an owner liable for injuries, even if they have no reason to believe their pet would attack. There are defenses that a dog owner may use to prove their innocence, such as questioning whether the victim had a right to be in the location where the bite occurred. Animal bite laws can be extremely complex and contentious. An experienced dog bite lawyer, such as the Law Office of Teresa P. Williams, P.A. can help you navigate the laws and recover compensation for your injuries in certain circumstances.

What Is Considered A Dangerous Dog?

Dog owners, dog bite victims, insurance and authorities seem to disagree on what is defined as a “dangerous dog”? According to the state of Florida, a dangerous dog is one that has, at one or more times, injured or killed another another animal such as another dog, cat, rabbit, etc. outside of the dog owner’s property.

In most cases, however, it doesn’t matter if the dog that attacked you has bitten another person before or whether the dog was on or off the owner’s property. Owning a dog comes with a whole set of responsibilities, which includes keeping others safe. If the owner fails to meet those responsibilities, it is reasonable to pursue damages. The Clearwater dog bite lawyer, Teresa P. Williams, can help.

What Should I Do If I have Been Bitten By A Dog?

Dog bites account for 90% of all animal bite injuries. The risk of infection for someone who has been bitten by a dog is extremely high. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, clean the wound with soap and water. Then seek medical attention immediately.

If there are witnesses to the attack, get their names and contact information, including the contact information of the dog owner. If possible obtain a copy of the dog’s rabies vaccination records as well as a copy of the owner’s home insurance policy.

Be sure to document your injuries with several pictures and report in detail the events of the attack, such as where the attack took place, what you were doing at the time and when it happened.

It is strongly advised that before you speak to any insurance company about the attack, you seek the legal counsel of a dedicated dog bite lawyer. They can speak to the insurance company on your behalf.

When and Why Should You Hire A Dog Bite Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, seeking the help of an experienced dog bite lawyer such as the Law Office of Teresa P. Williams, P.A. right away can give your case an advantage. Negotiations can go beyond just getting a settlement. Other factors have to be taken into consideration such as time lost from work and possible future medical bills.

Reasons To Hire A Dog Bite Lawyer

There are many reasons to seek the legal counsel of a qualified dog bite lawyer:

• Your injuries are so severe that it is difficult to determine the true costs of your medical treatment.
• You are unsure if the homeowner’s policy will cover your claim.
• You don’t feel comfortable negotiating with the dog owner’s home insurance company.
• You are concerned that you will not get the full settlement for which you are entitled.
• You do not have the time to invest in negotiating with the dog owner or their insurance company.

Every dog bite situation is different and many homeowner’s insurance policies don’t always cover dog bite claims. Choosing the right dog bite lawyer to help your case is important. As a committed personal injury attorney, Teresa P. Williams will investigate insurance coverage and work with you around the complicated laws and insurance issues that affect dog bite claims.

Call us today at (727) 796-2706 to schedule a free consultation for your case or contact us here through the website. We are here to help and look forward to serving you.