Delray Beach Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are seen as man’s best friend, but not all dogs are friendly. In fact, some dogs can be extremely dangerous, and when a dog bite attack occurs the results can be devastating for victims. At Lyons & Snyder, our experienced Delray Beach dog bite lawyers understand how serious a dog bite attack can be and are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve for any injuries that result. To learn more and to schedule a free evaluation of your case, call or contact our office in Delray Beach today.
Florida Dog Bite Law
State laws regarding dog bite attacks either fall into the category of the “one bite rule” or strict liability for this type of incident. One bite states do not hold a dog owner accountable for an attack if they did not know or should not have known about the propensity of the dog to attack a person, essentially allowing for one bite from the animal before holding the owner liable.
Florida, however, is a strict liability state, which means that a dog owner can be held liable for a dog bite attack even if it is the first time that the animal has attacked a person. The owner is liable for damages so long as the dog bites a person and that person is in a public place or lawfully on private property. The owner is responsible regardless of their knowledge regarding the vicious capacity of their animal.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Under Florida law, an adult injured in a dog bite attack has four years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for damages. Known as the statute of limitations, if the case is not filed within this four year window it can be thrown out by the judge, and the victim cannot collect any compensation.
However, many victims of dog bite attacks are children, and they have an extended period of time in which to file a claim. Under Florida law, a minor injured in a dog bite attack has seven years from the date of the injury or until the end of the standard statute of limitations, whichever is longer, to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries
Compensation for dog bite injuries includes damages for economic and noneconomic losses sustained by the attack, which means that both out of pocket costs and the intangible inflictions of harm are both covered. Compensation in these cases covers all of the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Disfigurement, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
To learn more, talk to our office today.
Call or Contact Us Today
Have you or a loved one been attacked and injured by a dog bite? If so, the knowledgeable Delray Beach dog bite attorneys at Lyons & Snyder are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free evaluation of your case now to learn more about your legal options.
