Dog Bite Attorneys

Injury Attorney Representing Victims Throughout South Florida

Dogs are beloved by many people, and in most cases, dogs are friendly and agreeable. Even the friendliest dog can become unexpectedly aggressive, however, and bite an unsuspecting person. Dog owners have an obligation to keep their dogs from attacking other people and should be held responsible for any harm caused by their dogs. If a dog bit you, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney regarding the compensation that you may be able to recover for your injuries. Attorney Joseph I. Lipsky is an assertive Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer who will work diligently to help you seek recourse for your harm.

Florida Dog Bite Laws

Florida imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites. In other words, a person who is bitten by a dog does not need to prove that the dog owner was aware that the dog was vicious or had an inclination for biting, or otherwise prove the dog owner’s negligence, to recover damages. Instead, if a dog bites a person in a public place, the dog owner is liable for the damages sustained by the person bitten by the dog. The owner will also be held accountable if the dog bites a person in a private place, including the dog owner’s home, as long as the person who was bitten was lawfully permitted to be in that place.

There are multiple ways in which a dog owner may try to avoid liability. First, the dog owner may attempt to argue that the person bitten was negligent, and therefore the owner should not be held liable for the harm caused by the bite. A dog bite attorney can help Fort Lauderdale residents fight back against this potential defense. Even if the person bitten was negligent, the dog owner will not necessarily be relieved of responsibility for the harm caused by his or her dog. Instead, the dog owner’s liability will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of negligence on behalf of the victim that contributed to the biting incident. Additionally, a dog owner can avoid liability if he or she has a sign in a prominent place on his or her property, indicating that the dog is a “Bad Dog.” The sign will not excuse the dog owner from liability in cases in which the person bitten is under six years old or in which the owner’s own negligence proximately caused the injury, however.

Compensation Recoverable in a Dog Bite Lawsuit

Dog bites can cause puncture wounds, scarring, infections, and nerve damage. In extreme cases, dog bites can cause fractures, the loss of limbs or appendages, and death. In addition to physical harm, dog bites can cause psychological trauma. If you were bitten by a dog, a Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney can help you pursue the costs incurred in treating your injuries and the costs of treatment that you may need in the future. You may also be able to recover lost earnings if you could not earn an income due to your injuries. Additionally, you may be granted compensation for the pain and suffering that you endured due to your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you about what you must prove to recover damages and the full extent of the damages that you may be able to recover.

Meet With a Trusted Personal Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Case

When a person is attacked and bitten by a dog, it can cause extreme pain and substantial physical and psychological injuries. If you were bitten by a dog, you should find out about the legal options that may be available. Attorney Joseph I. Lipsky has substantial experience helping residents of South Florida strive to hold dog owners liable for harm caused by dog bites. Mr. Lipsky represents victims in dog bite lawsuits in Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties, including in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami, Orlando, and Key West. Our firm has multiple offices, which are located in Delray Beach, Plantation, Miami, and West Palm Beach. You can contact us at 1-888-352-5298 or through our form online to schedule a free and confidential meeting with a dog bite lawyer in Fort Lauderdale regarding your injuries.