Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer
Attorney Armando Edmiston can handle your claim and get results
Dogs make great pets, but studies have shown that Florida consistently has one of the highest, if not the highest, per-capita dog bite rate in the US. Many dog bites occur when an unleashed dog escapes an outdoor enclosure and chases down another dog, or in a lot of cases, a person or young child. One reason some experts think Florida is more susceptible to dog bite claims is due to the Sunshine State’s warm weather conditions, which means there’s simply more people and more dogs outside together on any given day.
Regardless of the reason for Florida’s high dog bite rate, pet owners are legally responsible for the damage their pets cause to others, whether it’s on the pet owner’s property, a public sidewalk, or in a dog park. Falling under the legal category of premises liability, claims involving dog bites may be at least partially covered by the pet owner’s rental or homeowner’s insurance.
Some of the most common types of injuries associated with dog bites include:
- Puncture wounds
- Cuts, gashes, lacerations
- Facial injuries (e.g., puncture wounds to the face, broken nose, scarring, disfigurement)
- Eye injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Fractured bones and broken bones
- Rabies
- Bacterial infections
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
Tragically, many dog bite victims are young children who sustain serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. Whether you were severely injured or you are the parent of a child who was injured or died in an attack by a dog, a lawyer can advocate for your best interests and demand justice.
At Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa, founding attorney Armando Edmiston is a caring and compassionate dog bite lawyer who has experience handling complex claims for clients all over Florida.
Can you sue for a dog bite in Florida?
If you were bitten and injured by someone else’s dog in Florida, you may be able to pursue compensation for your damages through a dog bite claim. Florida is a “strict liability” state in regard to dog bites, meaning you do not have to prove the dog was vicious or had ever bitten anyone prior to your attack to have a successful claim. As long as the attack occurred in a public place or on private property in which you were legally allowed to be on, you may have a case.
Under Florida law, if you provoked the dog or your negligent actions caused the attack, the dog owner’s liability may be reduced by the percentage of fault you are assigned for contributing to the attack. This is known as comparative negligence – though there are special rules in place for dog bite victims ages 6 and younger.
How much is my dog bite claim worth?
The amount of compensation you’ll be able to recover through a dog bite claim is contingent upon a lot of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the specific circumstances surrounding your attack, and whether or not the dog owner is disputing your claim. In general, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Replacement services
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish/emotional distress
- Property damage
Let an experienced Tampa dog bite attorney fight for you
Cases involving dog bites are often complex. That’s because the dog owner may challenge your claim and argue that you contributed to or caused the attack – even if that’s not the truth. The last thing you need after you’ve been injured in a terrifying dog bite attack is to pay out of pocket for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Let our law firm help you get maximum compensation. Tampa dog bite lawyer Armando Edmiston has the knowledge and experience to handle every aspect of your claim and get you the payout you’re entitled to. We also represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you don’t have to pay us anything unless we win. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.