Were you attacked or bitten by a dog in Wellington, Florida? The Injury Law Firm, PA is here to help. Call (561) 800-4357 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Wellington dog bite lawyer. We’ll explain your rights and help you take the next step toward financial recovery.
Dog bites can lead to serious injuries, both physically and emotionally. You may be entitled to compensation from the dog’s owner or another responsible party. Our team is ready to build your case and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started.
Why Dog Bite Victims in Wellington, FL, Trust The Injury Law Firm, PA
Dog bite victims in Wellington, Florida, trust The Injury Law Firm, PA for skilled, compassionate legal support during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Here’s why so many individuals and families turn to us for help:
- We offer personal attention and tailored legal strategies that make a real difference in our clients’ lives.
- We have the financial resources and expert connections typically found at much larger firms, allowing us to handle complex cases effectively.
- Our attorneys handle every step of the legal process so our clients can focus on healing—both physically and emotionally.
- We’re prepared to go to trial if an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, and we fight tirelessly to achieve justice.
If you need help, call today to schedule your free consultation with a Wellington personal injury attorney.
Understanding Florida’s Dog Bite Laws
Florida follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. That means a dog owner is legally responsible if their dog bites someone—even if the dog has never shown aggression before.
Under Florida Statute § 767.04, owners are liable for injuries their dog causes when the victim is in a public place or lawfully on private property. This applies regardless of the dog’s history or whether the owner knew the dog might be dangerous.
However, dog owners may try to avoid liability by arguing that the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing. That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared for these defenses and have a strong legal strategy in place.
In 2023, Florida strengthened its dog bite laws through The Pam Rock Act. The law requires owners of dogs deemed “dangerous” to:
- Microchip their dog
- Carry increased liability insurance in case of future attacks
These changes aim to reduce repeat incidents and hold owners of known aggressive dogs more accountable.
Dog Bites and Premises Liability
Dog bite claims can also be raised against negligent property owners in Wellington. In Florida, property owners and businesses have a responsibility to protect guests and visitors from reasonably foreseeable threats to their safety. If an owner fails to do this, they can be liable for resulting injuries or deaths.
In the context of dog bite cases, a property owner might be liable if they knew or should have known that a dangerous dog was on the premises and didn’t take steps to isolate the animal from others or warn about the dog’s presence.
What Do I Have To Prove To Win My Dog Bite Case?
What you have to prove depends on your specific dog bite case. In a dog bite claim filed against the dog’s owner, you need to prove:
- The party owned the dog
- You were bitten by the dog, and
- You suffered damages.
You don’t have to show that the dog owner was negligent or that the animal was vicious – although these things can potentially aid your fight for compensation.
In a dog bite claim filed against a property owner or business, you need to prove:
- The party owed you a duty of care
- This duty of care was breached in some way
- The party’s actions (or inaction) led to the dog bite, and
- You suffered damages.
In either case, you need to prove your allegations by a preponderance of the evidence to win your case. If your allegations are more likely to be true than not, the defense can be ordered to pay for your damages.
How Much Money Is My Wellington Dog Bite Case Worth?
It depends. Everyone who is attacked by a dog will have a different experience – suffer different injuries, face different challenges in work and life, and process the trauma in their own way. All of these things will influence the potential value of a dog bite lawsuit.
It’s important to consider:
- The types of injuries you’ve suffered
- The part(s) of your body that have been affected
- Whether the injuries are permanent or will cause a permanent impairment
- Changes in your short-term and/or long-term earning capacity
- Disability
- Change in your quality of life
- Your age
- Available insurance benefits and applicable policy limits
The more severely you’re injured by a dog bite, the more compensation you might be able to get through a settlement or jury verdict at trial. Hiring an experienced Florida dog bite attorney in Wellington to represent you can make all the difference in the world as you navigate your claim.
Call The Injury Law Firm, PA to learn more about how we help our clients win life-changing monetary awards.
What Damages Can Be Paid to Wellington Dog Bite Victims?
Florida grants dog bite victims the right to seek compensatory damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Compensatory damages are designed to help you deal with the objective financial consequences of the dog bite (economic awards) and the harder-to-value trauma you experience as a victim (non-economic awards).
Economic damages you might be able to recover include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Temporary lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Nursing assistance
Non-economic damages you could be entitled to include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
The dog’s owner (and their insurance company) will fiercely dispute your claim. They’ll downplay your injuries and minimize your suffering. Our Florida dog bite attorneys in Wellington won’t let these tactics dictate your recovery or your future.
We’ll work hand-in-hand with trusted experts as we build a strong legal claim that forces fair negotiations and yields meaningful settlement offers. If the defense won’t budge, our top-rated Florida trial attorney won’t hesitate to bring your dog bite lawsuit to trial.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Some of the most commonly reported dog bite injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Nerve damage
- Cuts and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Degloving injuries
- Amputation injuries to the fingers and hands
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Infection
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Leg injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
More than 4.5 million dog bites are reported across the United States every year. Half of all dog bite victims are children, who are susceptible to severe and often permanent physical injuries.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Wellington?
It won’t cost a thing to hire our Wellington personal injury law firm unless we win your dog bite case.
We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. Our fees are directly linked to the results we achieve. When we win compensation for you, we get paid out of that monetary award.
If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Cases in Florida?
Florida has a strict two-year statute of limitations for most dog bite claims. However, there are exceptions, most often involving cases where a dog bite victim is a child, so always discuss your particular case with your attorney.
You have to file your dog bite claim before time runs out. Once the filing deadline passes, you’ll give up the opportunity to sue the dog’s owner, a negligent property owner, and anyone else who might have contributed to your dog bite injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Wellington Dog Bite Lawyer
Call The Injury Law Firm, PA for help if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Wellington, Florida. You do not have to suffer the consequences alone. Our experienced Wellington dog bite lawyers are prepared to help you launch a powerful legal claim for damages.
We’ve taken on powerful insurance companies, government agencies, and bad actors and won millions for our clients. Now, we’re here to offer experienced, resourceful, compassionate legal representation during a difficult time in your life, too.
Contact our Wellington law office to schedule your free consultation today.
