Dog Bite/Animal Attacks
Most dogs truly live up to the nickname “man’s best friend.” Unfortunately, according to the CDC, over 4.5 million people (1.5 % of the population) are bitten by dogs every year. The injuries caused by dog bites frequently cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, as well as emotional and psychological trauma. Many victims of dog bites require plastic or reconstructive surgery to repair the injuries, and the medical bills can be financially devastating.
The personal injury attorneys at Powell, Powell & Powell have represented hundreds of victims of dog bites in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, DeFuniak Springs, Baker, Freeport, Navarre, and across the entire Emerald Coast. Sadly, the victims in these cases are usually children. The dog attacks we investigate are almost always unexpected and unprovoked, and in almost all of these cases, the victim had no warning the dog was about to bite. Surprisingly, in many cases, the dog’s owner seems to be more concerned about their dog being quarantined than about the severe injuries their dog caused to the victim.
Owner’s Liability Under Florida Law
Florida law holds a dog owner strictly liable for the dog bite victim's injuries and damages, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. Florida law also gives victims of severe dog bite injuries the right to request that the dog be classified as a "dangerous dog," which requires the dog’s owner to take strict precautions to ensure the dog never attacks another person again. Once a dog has been classified as a “dangerous dog,” Florida law states that if the dog ever bites another person, the dog will be euthanized and the dog’s owner can be charged with a crime. Many counties, including Okaloosa County, also have leash laws that impose additional penalties and legal consequences on careless dog owners.
Contact a Crestview Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s “pet” in Crestview, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Navarre, DeFuniak Springs or anywhere in Northwest Florida, you need an experienced dog bite lawyer to fight for you. We will thoroughly investigate the dog's history of prior attacks and seek compensation for your injuries and damages from the dog owner and his or her insurance company.
In addition to representing victims of dog bites and their families, our firm has also represented many victims who were attacked and injured by other animals, such as horses.
Contact the personal injury lawyers at Powell, Powell & Powell for a free consultation.