Winter Park Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs truly are the best non-human companions for people. But not all dogs were raised or trained to be friendly. And even the most docile dog can, one day, decide to attack someone for no apparent reason. If you were bitten by a dog, the owner is almost certainly liable for your damages. Whether the owner is a friend, acquaintance, family member, neighbor, or a stranger, we urge you to think about your own financial well-being at this time; you should not be stuck with medical bills and lost wages because of another person’s mistake. The Winter Park dog bite attorneys at The Hornsby Law Group can help you file a personal injury claim for fair compensation.
Damages in a Winter Park Dog Bite Claim or Lawsuit
If you were attacked by a dog, no matter where the attack occurred, your dog bite claim will be filed with the owner’s home insurance company. This is true whether you were bitten by a dog on a leash, by a dog that jumped a fence, by a dog whose home you were in, or any other scenario. Furthermore, another party could have been responsible for the dog at the time of the attack (such as a dog walker or the owner’s friend or significant other) and the dog’s owner is still liable for your damages. Damages in a dog bite claim include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses and future costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning ability
- Loss of joy of life
- Property damage
Comparative Negligence in a Dog Bite Claim
There are cases in which a dog bite victim does not recover the full amount of their damages due to their own negligence in causing the dog bite or dog attack. Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that the plaintiff’s damages are reduced by their degree of fault. For example, if a plaintiff was teasing the dog before they were bitten, the court (if the lawsuit is tried in court) might only award the plaintiff 60 percent of their damages because the plaintiff was 40 percent responsible for causing the attack. As such, if you were teasing the dog, roughhousing with the dog, or physically attacked, harassed, or intimidated the dog your claim is not only subject to comparative negligence, but you might lose the ability to receive any compensation at all. For this reason, it is always necessary to work with an attorney in any dog bite claim.
Call a Winter Park Dog Bites Attorney Today
Dog bites and dog attacks leave victims with serious wounds that usually require medical attention, stitches, and potential surgery. It is not uncommon for a dog attack survivor to require trauma counseling as well. If you were harmed by another party’s dog, we urge you to take action by filing a claim with the owner. Call the Winter Park dog bites attorneys at The Hornsby Law Group today to get started by scheduling a free consultation.
