St.Petersburg Dog Bite Lawyer
Were you or a family member bitten by a dog in St. Petersburg, FL? If so, you could be entitled to compensation from the dog owner. To learn more about your rights, contact a St. Petersburg dog bite lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience representing Florida accident victims. Call us today at (727) 787-2500 to schedule a free case evaluation.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite in St. Petersburg
Dog attacks can be scary and lead to serious injuries. In most cases, the dog owner is liable for all injuries caused by their dog. However, getting the compensation you deserve can be difficult.
Accident victims often suffer significant personal and financial hardships. A personal injury lawyer can get the compensation you need to get your life back to normal after a dog attack.
For nearly four decades, Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have represented Florida accident victims. We have a proven record of success and have recovered over $120 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
When you work with our team, we’ll:
- Investigate your dog attack to learn more about who is responsible
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Calculate damages
- Work with experts to strengthen your case
- Negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company to ensure you get a fair settlement
- Defend you against claims that you’re at fault in the attack
- File a lawsuit when necessary
- Represent you in court
- Handle all administrative tasks and correspondence
- Comply with all deadlines, including the statute of limitations
- Keep you updated on the status of your case
Our team works hard to ensure every client gets the best result possible. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Florida?
Dog bites are more common than most people think. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States. Florida was one of the top 10 states for dog bites in 2023. As the population of Florida continues to grow, dog bites are a rising problem that can lead to serious injuries and even death.
How Much Is My St. Petersburg Dog Bite Case Worth?
Dog bite cases are a type of personal injury case. Every case is different, and it’s important to review the facts of each case to determine the value.
Some key factors in determining the value of your dog bite case are:
- The severity of your injuries
- The type of injuries you sustained
- Whether or not you need ongoing medical care and treatment
- The impact your injuries have on your ability to work
- Whether or not you experience ongoing pain
- The impact your injuries have on your quality of life
- Whether or not fault was shared
Our personal injury lawyers will review all aspects of your case to determine the value of your claim. Next, we’ll gather evidence to support your claim and ensure you get a fair settlement. If you’re not offered a reasonable settlement, we’ll file a lawsuit against the responsible party to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
What Are Common Injuries from Dog Bites?
Dog attacks can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. The type of dog, the size of the dog, and the size of the victim can all impact how severe your injuries are.
Some common injuries we see in St. Petersburg dog attacks are:
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Sepsis
- Infections
- Amputations
Unfortunately, in some cases, dog bites are fatal. If you’ve lost a loved one because of a dog attack, we’ll bring a wrongful death case on your behalf. We understand how difficult these cases can be. We work closely with families to support them throughout the process and ensure the at-fault party is held accountable.
What Damages Can Florida Dog Bite Victims Recover?
After a dog bite, victims can recover damages to make them whole. They are entitled to compensatory damages that put injured parties in the position they would have been in if the dog hadn’t bitten them.
Compensatory damages reimburse victims for economic damages and non-economic damages. Examples of economic damages are:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Hospital stays and surgery costs
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages reimburse victims for intangible losses from a dog attack. Examples are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Speak with your lawyer about what damages you might be entitled to.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Dog Bite Case in Florida?
In Florida, dog bite cases follow a theory of strict liability. Unlike most personal injury cases, where victims must show that the owner was negligent, in dog bite cases, victims don’t have to show negligence.
To recover damages from the dog owner after a dog attack, injured parties must show:
- You were on public property or lawfully on the dog owner’s property at the time of the attack.
- The dog bit you.
- You were injured.
Some states have a “one bite rule,” where accident victims must show that the dog owner knew about the dog’s dangerous behavior. Florida does not have a one-bite rule. Accident victims can recover damages even if a dog has never bitten anyone or shown aggressive tendencies.
What if the Owner Raises a Defense Against Me?
While proving a case of strict liability is pretty straightforward, there are some common defenses that dog owners use in Florida dog bite cases.
Dog owners can defend strict liability claims by arguing that:
- You provoked the dog.
- There was a sign warning of the dog’s behavior that was visible on the owner’s property.
- You were trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the attack.
- The animal attacked you but did not bite you.
Dog owners and their insurance companies will argue one of the above defenses to avoid strict liability. An experienced personal injury lawyer is prepared for these defenses and will fight hard to ensure your rights are protected.
If the dog owner successfully presents one of these defenses, you could still be entitled to damages, but you can’t recover under strict liability. Instead, you’ll have to bring a negligence case against the dog owner and show that the owner’s negligence led to the attack and injuries.
While these cases are more complex, there are still several ways to show that the dog owner was negligent. Some examples of negligence include:
- Failure to comply with leash laws
- Allowing a dog to roam off of the owner’s property
- Failure to take appropriate precautions for a “dangerous dog.”
Our team knows how to build a negligence case against dog owners. We’ll use witness testimony, past complaints, and reports from the accident to prove the owner was negligent.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Partly at Fault?
One common defense in dog bite cases is that the injured party provoked the dog. If you provoke a dog, you’ll be subject to Florida’s modified comparative fault laws.
Under this legal framework, your damages will be reduced by the proportion of your fault. For example, if a court finds that you were 30% at fault for a dog bite, you’re entitled to recover 70% of your damages from the dog owner. However, you will lose your right to compensation if you’re more than 50% at fault.
It’s common for dog owners to blame the victim in dog bite cases. Victims need a personal injury lawyer who can defend them against these attacks and hold dog owners accountable for the dangerous behavior of their pets.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a St. Petersburg Dog Bite?
In Florida, the statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit after an injury. Dog bite cases are a type of personal injury claim. The limitations period for personal injury cases is two years.
In most dog bite cases, this means that accident victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. After the statute of limitations expires, you lose the right to seek damages for your injuries.
How Much Does a Florida Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
Dog bite lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if their client gets paid. The lawyer and client will agree on a contingency fee rate at the beginning of representation. This is the percentage of an award that will go to the attorney to cover fees. If the case is not successful, the lawyer does not get paid. This arrangement means that dog bite victims do not pay attorney fees out-of-pocket.
Contact a St. Petersburg Dog Bite Lawyer
If a dog has bitten you or a family member, Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get compensation for your losses. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. During the evaluation, we’ll discuss your rights and the damages you’re entitled to. We’ll also outline a plan to maximize the amount you recover.
Call us today or visit our St. Petersburg personal injury office to schedule your free consultation with a St. Petersburg dog bite lawyer.