Despite being viewed as man’s best friend, dogs are animals and can be unpredictable. They can attack anyone in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, without provocation, especially if they’re not properly trained or supervised by their owners.
An experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer can help you hold negligent dog owners liable and ensure you are compensated for you injuries.
Imagine your child is bitten by a dog whose owner did not have a leash outside Rock Island Elementary.
Or picture yourself as a delivery driver for Bayview Pizza Grill, and on a routine delivery at a Fort Lauderdale residence, you knock on the door and a German shepherd pushes past the owner and attacks you, leaving you in need of 25 stitches.
As horrifying as these situations sound, they’re not uncommon. If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog in Fort Lauderdale, you may be able to hold the owner responsible.
A dog bite attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at Schilling & Silvers Property and Accident Attorneys can protect your legal rights and help you recover maximum compensation for all the economic and non-economic damages you might have incurred. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
According to another study by the CDC, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States, with nearly 1 out of 5 victims requiring medical attention. A significant percentage of these dog bites involve children and older people.
A recent study also shows that about 1,000 Americans require emergency care treatment for serious dog bite injuries every day. Nearly 27,000 people underwent constructive surgery due to dog bites in 2018, and dog attack victims lose over $1 billion every year.
In addition to children, postal service employees are also at a greater risk of suffering dog attacks. Across the country, more than 5,300 postal service employees were attacked by dogs while delivering mail in 2022. As per the U.S. Postal Service’s dog attack national rankings, Florida ranks #7 on the list of states with top dog attack incidents.
To help keep USPS employees safe, the organization has started educating dog owners on how they can help ensure safe mail delivery as part of its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week campaign. This year’s campaign’s theme is “Even good dogs have bad days.”
For immediate legal assistance from an experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer, contact our legal team today. We offer free case evaluations and can help you understand your rights.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the injury rate from dog bites is the highest for children between the ages of 5 and 9. This is because children do not always understand that dogs can be dangerous. Young children do not realize that dogs do not like being taunted with food or having their tails pulled. Plus, children may be unable to defend themselves or get away from dogs quickly during an attack.
The small size of children under 10 puts them at risk of getting bitten on the head or neck more than any other age group. According to the CDC, most dog bites involving children under 6 years are from dogs known to the family, and more than half occur in their homes. Across all age groups, the most common causes of dog bites are inappropriate behavior management and protective behavior.
To learn more about your rights after an animal attack or dog bite injury contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney at our law firm today. We offer free case evaluations and are never too busy to speak with you.
Most of the time, dogs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, attack people in response to stressful situations. Unlike humans, dogs cannot voice their differences, express anger, or defend themselves. The language most dogs use when they feel threatened, afraid, or in pain is snarling, growling, and biting. The chances a dog will bite you mainly depend on the dog, how they’ve been trained, and the situation at hand.
Here are various factors that may provoke dogs to bite:
Since dogs do not give warnings before attacking someone, you need to look out for various signs of aggression or anxiety in your dog to avoid being bitten. These signs include:
For immediate legal assistance or to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney, contact our legal team today.
In some states, victims of dog attacks have to prove that the dog had a history of viciousness and that the owner knew about it. However, Florida is a strict liability state. Under the strict liability laws, a dog owner can be held liable for a dog attack even if they didn’t have prior knowledge of their dog’s aggressive nature.
This means that victims do not have to prove that their dog bite injuries resulted from the owner’s negligence.
Florida Chapter 767 Section 04 states the following:
Florida animal attack laws can be complicated, for this reason it is wise to consider partnering with a skilled Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options following an accident.
Understandably, most people are usually shaken after being bitten or attacked by a dog. Once you’ve gotten away from the dog or someone else has hauled it off, there are several steps you can take to protect your health and legal rights. These include the following:
Every dog bite case is different. Although the valuation of these cases is complicated, you have the right to be made ‘whole’ again by the liable party. The average dog bite settlement in Fort Lauderdale is between $30,000-$50,000. However, you should expect a lower settlement offer if your dog bite injuries are relatively minor.
Dog bite cases often end in settlements because the defendants do not want to go through a trial. They may prefer to pay you as much as $30,000 if it means that they won’t have to go to court. Whether or not a dog owner will offer you a huge settlement depends on several factors.
They include:
Deep scars resulting from a dog attack will likely make a strong impression on the defendant and their insurer and increase your chances of getting a large settlement. However, you or your dog bite lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can always file a personal injury lawsuit if the dog owner insists on offering you a low settlement. Taking your case to court may help you get more substantial compensation for your injuries.
Some dog bite injuries can be severe, resulting in permanent disability. This is usually the case for head and back injuries. In such a situation, you can take the dog owner to court since you have a stronger case. Since the impact of the attack cannot be denied, they will be forced to compensate you for all damages you’ve incurred, including medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished quality of life.
The long-term effects of your dog bite injuries can also affect the settlement amount you receive from the dog owner. If you need ongoing medical treatment for many months, your Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney can demand compensation for future medical expenses.
During settlement negotiations, the defendant may claim that you were partially responsible for the dog attack because you were teasing or abusing the dog. If you were somewhat at fault for the dog attack, the settlement amount you receive might be lower.
To learn more about factors which affect settlement amounts in dog bite injury claims, reach out to our experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers.
As a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, here are some resources for dealing with potential dog attack accidents:
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you may hold the dog owner liable for your injuries and other damages. The experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorneys at Schilling & Silvers Property and Accident Attorneys have the necessary resources and expertise to protect your legal rights and maximize your compensation in a dog bite case.
In addition to Fort Lauderdale, our legal team serves Hialeah, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, and more. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and let us navigate your dog bite case together.
Free Lawsuit Review
Call - 954.712.8877
Our Personal Injury Law Offices
Fort Lauderdale Office
1700 NW 64th St Suite 460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 712-8877
Hialeah, FL Office
2300 W 84th St Ste 213
Hialeah, FL 33016
(954) 712-8877