Dog Bite Lawyers in Miami
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The dog bite injury attorneys at Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys have the knowledge and experience necessary to get top compensation for your dog bite related injuries.
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The content on this page has been produced and reviewed in accordance with our editorial guidelines. This content has been reviewed and approved by founding Personal Injury Attorney Jack G. Bernstein who has over 40 years of legal practice experience.
Miami Dog Bite Attorneys
In Florida, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for injuries their dog causes to you. Provocation is a defense the owner of the dog can raise. However, if you did not provoke the animal, your lawyer does not have to prove negligence on the part of the dog’s owner. The only question is how much money you should be awarded for your injury or loss.
Dog bites can leave serious physical and emotional scars on the victim. The lawyers at Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys have the financial resources and experience to help you pursue the maximum compensation for injuries suffered in any animal attack. From our principal office in Miami and numerous other offices across Florida, we represent clients throughout the state.
Homeowner’s insurance will typically cover damages such as medical expenses in the past and future, lost wages in the past and future, and pain and suffering. The second avenue of recovery may be against the owner of the premises that rented an apartment to the dog’s owner. The premises owner would be responsible only if the dog had a history of biting or viciousness that the premises owner should have known about. Your lawyer will need to carefully assess your dog bite injury case to determine what insurance coverage is available and how you can recover damages for immediate expenses such as medical care.
How Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Miami Can Help You
If you’re hurt because of a dog bite in Miami, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries. Florida law protects victims of dog bites. In order to get a fair recovery for your dog bite injuries, you must assert your rights and bring a claim for recovery. Our experienced dog bite lawyers in Miami can help you take the right steps to pursue your claim.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in Miami?
Yes, you can sue for a dog bite in Miami. You must show that the dog bite resulted in your injuries and that the dog owner does not have any valid defenses that apply. Unlike other types of personal injury cases, you don’t have to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner.
Instead, the dog owner has strict liability for the resulting damages any time their dog bites. The dog owner must compensate you for your financial losses. You may also claim compensation for your emotional suffering and physical pain. Florida law allows victims of dog bites to collect payment from responsible dog owners.
Does It Matter Where the Attack Occurs?
It’s the dog owner that’s responsible for your damages after a dog bite if you’re lawfully on public or private property. That includes on the owner’s property if you’re there for a lawful purpose. That means a dog owner can be liable to a person delivering mail or packages. They can be liable to a person who they invite over as a social guest.
In addition to private property, if you’re bitten by a dog on a public street or public park, the dog owner is also responsible in that situation. Florida law is strict when it comes to protecting victims. Dog owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs with only limited exceptions.
What Are Possible Defenses to a Dog Bite Claim in Florida?
There are only a few defenses available to dog owners if their dog bites. They may claim that you provoked the dog. They might say that you were trespassing without permission. Unless the dog owner can show one of these exceptions, it’s up to the dog owner to pay for your losses. Even if they claim one of these defenses, you can work with our experienced dog bite attorneys to show what happened and to defend against allegations of wrongdoing.
What Can I Recover if I’m the Victim of a Dog Bite in Miami?
Dog bites can leave you with severe physical and emotional scars. The responsible party may have homeowners insurance that may cover some of your damages like current medical bills and expected medical bills in the future. If you have lost wages or even lost self-employment income from your injuries, you can request compensation to cover your losses.
The premises owners may also share responsibility if they know that the dog has a history of aggression. Your lawyer will need to carefully assess your dog bite injury case to determine what insurance coverage is available and how you can recover damages for immediate expenses, future expenses, and pain and suffering. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the dog owner to cover your losses through insurance or their own resources.
Contact an Attorney for a Free Consultation
In any dog bite or animal attack case, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to investigate quickly. Many times dogs will run loose and it may be hard to find out who owned the dog. You should also report the dog bite to the police. The police will do a report and contact animal control, who will investigate and file a report. If the dog was not properly registered or vaccinated, animal control will attempt to capture the dog and put it in quarantine to make sure it does not have rabies. It is important to get photos of the dog and dog owner’s home, particularly showing any dog warning signs or lack of such signs.
There is never a charge to talk to a dog bite lawyer at the law firm of Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys. With a principal office in Miami, numerous other offices across Florida, and the willingness to make house calls, our attorneys will be there when you need them. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis.
