Indian River County Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog owners in Florida may be held liable for injuries that result from their dog’s biting of another party, whether in a public or private setting. Since Florida is a strict liability state, it does not matter whether a dog owner was previously aware of their animal’s aggressive nature. As a result, victims of dog bites in Indian River do not have to prove that their dog bite injuries were caused or assisted by a dog owner’s negligence.

Injuries resulting from dog bites can be serious and have long-term costs and consequences. These types of injuries may require the assistance of a dedicated injury attorney. Experienced Indian River dog bite lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo can be instrumental in recovering the costs and mitigating the consequences of dog bite injuries. En Español.

Dog Owner Liability in Indian River County

Section 767.04 of The Florida Statutes legally says that, in Indian River, dog owners can be liable for injuries inflicted upon a victim if it can be proven that the dog did, in fact, bite the victim and that the victim was in a public venue or lawfully on private property.

Section 767.04 notes that any negligence on the part of the victim that proximately caused the bite to occur can reduce the dog owner’s liability by the percentage that the victim’s negligence contributed to the bite.

If an individual is not entitled to compensatory damages under Section 767.04, they may still be entitled to bring a personal injury claim against a dog owner. In such instances, the plaintiff will need to prove the dog owner’s negligence or failure to use reasonable care contributed to or enabled the dog to bite.

Dog bite victims may recover under the following four common laws:

• Negligence – if a dog owner failed to meet the standard of care that a reasonable dog owner would have met
• Intentional tort – if a dog owner wanted or directed the dog to attack a victim
• Scienter – if a dog owner had previous knowledge of their dog’s past aggressiveness, dog bites, and dog bite attempts
• Negligence per se – if a dog owner violates laws and regulations that are enacted in the interest of public safety and interest.

For dog bite victims who feel that a dog owner is liable under Section 767.04 or under the common laws, contacting a team of Indian River dog bite lawyers may be the first step in recouping compensatory damages.

Bringing a Claim for Injuries

Knowledgeable dog bite attorneys can be essential advocates for a claimant in numerous ways. A skilled advocate may be able to effectively demonstrate the full extent of a person’s physical, financial, and emotional pain in the aftermath of a dog attack. Costs arising from dog bites can be long-lasting and unexpected in the immediate aftermath of said bites. Experienced attorneys understand this and can help determine the proper and necessary compensation for a plaintiff.

There are also limits on dog owner responsibility in Florida and in some instances a dog owner may seek to reduce or eliminate their own liability. An Indian River dog bite lawyer can investigate and accurately portray the circumstances of a case so that these claims do not greatly impede a person from recovery.

Speak with an Indian River County Dog Bite Attorney Today

When a dog attacks you, you have rights. If you recently suffered a dog bite injury, a resourceful team of Indian River dog bite lawyers may be the allies you can trust to help obtain the compensation you deserve and need.

Call today to learn how compassionate attorney can help you. The lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo can work with you to help determine the extent of your injuries and what compensation you may be entitled to. Call today to set up a free consultation.