Have you or a loved one been bitten by a dog? Check out these 3 dog bite tips to get you started, then give our Tampa attorneys a call today.
Is the Owner of the Dog Responsible For the Dog Attack?
If an individual is attacked by a dog, the owner of that dog is strictly liable for any damages suffered by the individual that was bitten. This includes medical bills, wage loss, and things like that. In order to collect monies for scarring, it’s very important that we’re able to point out that the dog had vicious propensities, that the owner or someone safeguarding the dog knew of the vicious propensities of the dog, and kept it away from people. So the negligence or the carelessness of the individual in charge of the dog is also very important.
Can Someone Other Than The Dog Owner be Responsible?
Oftentimes when an individual’s been involved in a dog bite case, they ask if someone other than the dog owner can be responsible. Absolutely. For example, if a dog owner lives in an apartment building or rented home and the owner knows that the individual has a dog, and is aware of the vicious propensities of that dog. The owner must know that the dog has either snapped at someone, bit someone, chased that individual in a violent manner. If that individual has knowledge of the presence of the animal and the vicious propensities, that individual be it the management company or the owner of a home can also be held responsible for the dog bite victim’s injuries and damages.
What If My Pet Was Injured by Another Dog?
Sometimes individuals who come in to our office and say they have a dog bit case, but it involves a dog biting another dog. This dog caused substantial injuries and caused significant veterinary bills to be incurred. One of the things that’s important to remember in Florida is that animals are treated as property, and they are handled like a property damage claim. For example, if you’ve got a Yorkshire Terrier that you paid a thousand dollars for and as a result of a dog bite the dog needs extensive veterinary care, but the vet bill amounts to $1500. The owner of the dog, his insurance company and any attorney involved for the dog owner will argue that you are limited in your recovery to the value of your dog. In this case they will argue a $1,000 even though the bills may greatly eclipse that. That’s something that through litigation, we’re trying to change here in Florida.
The state of law here in Florida is that animals are treated as chattel or property and thus the damages you can recover for injuries to your pet as a result of veterinary bills is limited to the value of your dog.
Have you or a loved one been bitten by a dog and gotten seriously injured? After reading these 3 dog bite tips to get you started, contact our Tampa Dog Bite Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
Like us on Facebook
