Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in Orlando, FL? You may be entitled to hold the owner liable for your damages. An Orlando dog bite lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help you maximize your settlement or verdict. Call us today at (407) 801-3000 or reach out to us online to get started.
We’ve recovered over $89 million in compensation on behalf of injury victims like you. Benefit from a team of lawyers with over 100 years of combined experience by contacting us today for a free consultation.
Why Should I Hire Norden Leacox to Handle My Dog Bite Case?
Dog owners don’t always step up and take responsibility for injuries caused by their pets. Even when they do, you should expect the insurance company to aggressively fight your claim. The adjuster may try to downplay your injuries or deny your right to compensation altogether.
Our award-winning Orlando personal injury attorneys can protect you from these unfair tactics and fight to maximize your settlement. We have extensive experience standing up for injured victims and know what it takes to get the compensation you need to move forward.
Don’t risk settling your dog bite case for less than you deserve. Work with the team at Norden Leacox to get the best possible outcome.
What Are Florida’s Dog Bite Laws?
Florida law operates under a strict liability system, meaning that dog owners are generally liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even if their dog does not have a history of aggression. This means that a dog owner can typically be held liable when their dog bites someone, as long as the victim wasn’t trespassing and did not provoke the dog.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth in Florida?
Many different factors can impact the value of a dog bite injury claim. Generally, more severe injuries tend to result in higher compensation awards.
When our lawyers are evaluating your case value, we’ll evaluate the unique facts and circumstances of your case, including:
- The overall severity of your injuries
- Whether you will suffer any permanent impairment
- The cost of your medical care
- Your need for future medical treatment, rehab, and therapies
- Damage to your quality of life
- The emotional trauma caused by the animal attack
- Whether you lose income during your recovery
- How the injury might impact your future
The strength of the evidence to support your case can also be important. Strongest evidence means that the insurance companies will be more likely to settle your case for full compensation.
Our Orlando dog bite attorneys will carefully investigate to uncover any evidence to support your case. While you’re recovering, call our team to schedule a free case review to get more details.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Orlando?
If your case is successful, you can recover compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages. Like any accident victim, you can seek compensation to make you “whole” again under Florida personal injury laws.
Depending on your losses, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Lost future earnings
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Nursing care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- PTSD and fear of animals
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
To learn more about the types of compensation that may be available in your case, call our law firm in Orlando today. We offer free case evaluations, so don’t hesitate to explore your legal options today.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite Incident in Florida?
Shared fault can impact your compensation award. Most of the time, shared fault is an issue in cases where the owner claims you provoked the animal attack.
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, victims lose their right to compensation if they’re more than 50% responsible for their own injuries. As long as your share of fault is less than 51%, you can recover a portion of your settlement or verdict.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Orlando?
Most personal injury attorneys in Orlando take cases on a contingency fee basis. Instead of charging an hourly rate, our fee is based on a percentage of your ultimate compensation award. Typically, the percentage is between 33% and 40%, depending on the complexity of the case.
To learn more about our fee structure, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Can An Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
An experienced personal injury attorney in Orlando, Florida at Norden Leacox can help. We have decades of experience protecting clients in Central Florida.
When you hire our law firm to handle your personal injury case, our Orlando dog bite attorneys will:
- Investigate whether the dog has a history of aggression and gather evidence to prove liability
- Defend you from any victim-blaming insurance tactics
- Calculate the value of your personal injury claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a full settlement
We are always ready to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Florida?
CDC research shows that over 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Almost one in every five victims will require medical attention.
Florida is the second-worst state in the nation when it comes to dog bite injuries. According to a study published by the Insurance Information Institute, 1,331 dog bite victims filed insurance claims during 2022 alone. Insurance companies in Florida paid out over $104 million to dog bite victims that year.
Our Attorneys in Orlando Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites have the potential to cause serious injuries. Those injuries can be especially serious if the victim is knocked to the ground.
At Norden Leacox, we often handle dog bite injury cases involving:
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Severe bruising
- Infections
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Facial injuries
- Amputations
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Wrongful death
It’s important that you see a doctor quickly after suffering a dog bite injury. Dog bites can become infected easily. If the dog wasn’t properly vaccinated, your injuries can become even more serious without proper medical care.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Dog Bite in Orlando?
Every state has its own laws when it comes to dog bite injuries. Florida has strict liability laws. A dog’s owner can be held liable for damages even if the dog has never bitten in the past–and even if they do not know the dog has vicious tendencies. You do not have to prove negligence to recover damages.
Instead, under Florida dog bite laws, you must prove the following to recover damages:
- The dog bit you.
- You were injured by the dog.
- You were on public property or lawfully on private property at the time of the bite.
While the law may seem simple, it isn’t always easy to prove you deserve compensation. The dog’s owner will probably try to defend themselves. If their defenses are successful, the strict liability laws won’t protect you.
The primary defenses asserted by dog owners include:
- The owner had posted a “bad dog” sign in a noticeable location, and the victim was at least six years old.
- You did something that provoked the dog to bite.
- You were trespassing at the time of the injury.
When a dog’s owner successfully defends themselves, you could end up with a reduced settlement or lose your right to compensation entirely.
Can I Recover Compensation if Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Laws Don’t Apply in My Case?
You may still be entitled to compensation based on the dog owner’s negligence. All pet owners are responsible for exercising reasonable care so that their animals don’t hurt others.
Examples of negligent behavior in dog bite cases may include:
- Violating Orlando’s leash laws
- Failing to exercise care and control over the dog
- Failing to keep the dog secured on the owner’s property
- Training the dog to attack or engage in violent acts
When a dog is classified as a “dangerous dog” in Florida, the owner is required to take special precautions to prevent injuries. If they failed to take those precautions, they can be held liable for your injuries–and they may even face criminal penalties.
How Long Do I Have to Seek Damages After a Dog Bite Injury in Florida?
Like all other states, Florida restricts the amount of time you have to sue for damages after an injury. The statute of limitations is two years in Florida. If you don’t file a lawsuit within two years of the injury, you’ll be prohibited from seeking compensation entirely.
Call an Experienced Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a child were injured by someone else’s dog, you may be struggling with painful injuries. Dog owners can be held responsible when they fail to keep their animals under control. To learn more about your legal rights, contact Norden Leacox at 407-801-3000 to speak with an Orlando dog bite lawyer.