Have you or a family member been bitten by someone else’s dog in Cocoa, FL? The dog’s owner may owe you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, trauma and more. An experienced Cocoa dog bite lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help you recover the full financial compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. Since our law firm was founded, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars.
We’re ready to use our skills and experience for your case at (321) 517-2079. Call our law office in Cocoa, Florida, to arrange a free consultation and learn more.
How Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Can Help You Recover Compensation After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury in Cocoa
A serious dog bite injury can cause lasting harm in Cocoa, Florida. The pain and trauma can change your life. Medical bills can add up quickly–even when the underlying injuries are relatively mild.
Dog owners have certain responsibilities. When their animals cause harm, they should step up and cover the costs. Unfortunately, that’s not typically what happens. Most victims find themselves facing off against an uncaring insurance company and their defense teams.
Our experienced Cocoa personal injury attorneys at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law have extensive experience handling cases like yours. We’ve been rated by Super Lawyers and recognized by The National Trial Lawyers for our skilled legal representation and successful financial recoveries.
When you hire us, you gain a team that will:
- Investigate and collect evidence to prove your case
- Hire experts as needed to strengthen your claim
- Calculate the value of your injury claim
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for every available dollar
Our Cocoa personal injury lawyers are always here to discuss your case. Call for a free case evaluation today to learn about your legal right to compensation.
Statistics on Dog Bite Injuries in Florida
According to Forbes, an estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. every year.
Nearly 40% of all households in Florida own at least one dog, so it’s not entirely surprising that dog bites are common in Florida.
One study published by the Insurance Information Institute found that Florida ranked second in the nation when it comes to insurance claims. That study found that Florida insurance companies paid about $68 million in dog bite injury claims in a single year.
What is My Cocoa Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
The value of any personal injury case is directly tied to the severity of the victim’s injuries.
When assessing a victim’s case value, our lawyers will consider:
- Whether your injuries will heal completely or cause long-term damage
- The cost of medical treatment and other expenses made necessary by the injury
- The value of any income you’ve lost during recovery
- Your ongoing need for care, assistance, or rehabilitation
- Future impacts on your earnings
- Your trauma and pain
- Your age at the time of the attack
Homeowners’ insurance policies typically cover dog bite injury claims. That said, it’s not always easy to recover fair compensation – and it’s by no means automatic. You’ll have to prove every element of your case, including how much compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers are here to help at every stage. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Cocoa?
In Florida, damages are classified as economic or non-economic. Your overall compensation award should account for any loss you have suffered.
Some typical examples of damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Mental health counseling
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress and mental trauma
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
If you were attacked by a dog, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about the types of compensation you can pursue.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Cocoa?
Our Cocoa dog bite attorneys work on contingency. With a contingency fee arrangement, you never have to worry about covering attorneys’ fees if your attorney fails to recover compensation in your case. You instead pay a set percentage of your settlement or verdict once your case is resolved.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Florida?
Provocation is often a key defense in dog bite injury claims. The dog’s owner may try to blame you for causing the dog to bite. While it’s a common defense, you don’t automatically lose your right to damages if the owner is pointing the finger at you.
Florida has a modified comparative fault law. You only lose your right to compensation if the dog’s owner can prove that you were more than 50% responsible for your own injuries. If your share of liability is less than 51%, your compensation will be reduced to hold you responsible for your percentage of fault.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs have the potential to cause serious damage. Dog bite injuries are often magnified when the dog is able to throw the victim to the ground. Unfortunately, small children are at particularly high risk for serious dog bite injuries.
At Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law, our team helps clients who are struggling with all types of injuries, including:
- Severe lacerations and bruising
- Broken bones and crushing injuries
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee and joint injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations caused by infection
- Sepsis
- Paralysis and other catastrophic or even fatal injuries
Don’t let the insurance company downplay the extent of your injuries. Even a relatively minor injury can have a big impact on your life. Once you’ve received medical attention, contact our lawyers to learn more about how we can help you seek fair compensation.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite Under Florida Law?
Most personal injury victims must prove that someone was negligent to recover damages. Dog bite cases are handled differently. When it comes to dog bite injuries, Florida has strict liability laws.
A dog’s owner can automatically be held liable for your damages if you can prove:
- You were on public property or lawfully on private property.
- The dog bit you.
- You suffered injuries or damages.
If the strict liability law applies, you don’t have to prove that the dog’s owner did anything wrong. You also don’t have to prove that the owner knew the dog was aggressive or had vicious tendencies. There is no “one-bite rule” in the state of Florida.
It’s important to note that not all animal attacks fit neatly into situations where the strict liability law applies. Dog owners also have several different defenses that they can raise to avoid being held liable.
Understanding the Defenses to Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Florida’s dog bite law includes some specific defenses.
The law will not apply to hold the owner liable if:
- Evidence exists to prove that you provoked the dog bite in some way.
- You were trespassing.
You don’t automatically lose your right to recover compensation even if the owner has a valid defense. You may still be entitled to compensation if the dog’s owner was negligent.
What is Negligence, and How Is It Relevant to My Dog Bite Injury Claim?
Someone is negligent if they fail to exercise reasonable caution given the circumstances. Dog owners who fail to take basic precautions to keep others safe may be held responsible for those failures.
Examples of negligence in dog bite injury cases may include allowing the dog to roam freely, ignoring local leash laws, or failing to keep the animal secured. Note that dog owners may be required to take additional precautions if they knew the dog had vicious tendencies or if the dog was previously classified as dangerous.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Florida?
Victims of personal injury have two years to file a lawsuit in Florida. The two-year statute of limitations begins running on the date the dog bite occurred. Once two years pass, you may lose your right to compensation entirely.
Call an Experienced Cocoa Dog Bite Attorney for a Free Consultation
Dog bite injuries can cause lasting harm and trauma. If you or a loved one were injured, call our experienced Cocoa dog bite attorneys for a free case review today. Our team at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law has the skills to help you recover full compensation from the dog’s owner.
