Dog Bites/Animal Attacks
At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys have successfully handled claims on behalf of dog bite victims, either through negotiations with the owner's insurance company or litigation. We are well versed in statutes enacted to protect the rights of our dog bite victims and understand that acting quickly following an animal attack is vital in protecting these rights. An immediate investigation can help establish liability for the bite and determine whether insurance coverage applies.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately to learn more about your legal options. In addition to dog bite lawsuits, our attorneys are experienced in other practice areas, including medical malpractice, car accidents, and more. Fill out our free, no obligation case review form today to learn how our attorneys may be able to help.
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FAQs
How Often Do Dogs Bite People?
There are over 327 million people in the United States who own some 90 million dogs. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are approximately 4.7 million dog bites per year. That means that a canine bites 1 out of every 69 people. While most of these incidents don’t result in injuries, 800,000 require medical care annually. According to Insurance Journal,in 2017, insurance companies shelled out nearly $700 million in dog bite-related claims.
Workers’ Compensation and Dog Bite Injuries
Mail carriers, deliverymen, and other employees who are required to walk
on private property or enter homes as part of their job description are
given an “implied invitation” to enter the premises. A worker who is
lawfully on the property within the scope of their employment and is bitten
by a dog can submit a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensationinsurance
provides employees who are injured on the job with medical and wage
replacement benefits. When an employee is bitten by a dog at work, they may
also have a claim against the owner of the dog — as long as it is not
owned by the employer. A third party claim can provide the injured
employee with additional compensation for pain and suffering, and other
losses not covered by workers’ compensation.
Are Dog Bite Cases Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Even if the dog’s owner does not have coverage, the injured party can still bring a legal claim against the owner to collect compensation
for their losses.
Depending on the details of the case, homeowners insurance may cover
damages resulting from dog bites that occur on the owner’s property.
Dog bites may also be covered by automobile insurance if the injury is
sustained in the owner’s motor vehicle or by animal insurance if the
owner elected to purchase such coverage.
Even if the dog’s owner does not have coverage, the injured party can
still bring a legal claim against the owner to collect compensation for
their losses. To find out whether the dog’s owner is insured, our
attorneys will ask to see the declarations page of their homeowners,
animal or renters insurance. If the insurance limits seem inadequate,
we will determine whether the owner has a supplemental policy that may
cover the incident.
If the dog’s owner denies having coverage or is unwilling to provide the
details of the plan, these documents can be obtained during the
discovery phase of the lawsuit, where attorneys for both parties share
information regarding the accident and injury.
Liability for a Dog Attack
According to Florida dog bite law,the most
common defendant is the owner of the dog; however, the degree of the
owner’s liability varies between cases. In most cases, the owner is
responsible for the dog’s actions regardless of whether they have any
prior knowledge of the dog's tendency to bite.
There are two limited exceptions to this rule in certain states. First,
if the dog is provoked, the victim’s own negligence will be taken into
account when determining damages. Second, if the bite occurs on the
owner’s property, they usually cannot be found liable (unless the victim
is under 6 years old) if there is an easily readable warning sign in a prominent
place.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims?
A statute of limitations is a law that states the amount of time
following an incident the victim has to file a claim. After this time
period expires, victims of dog bites may no longer bring their claims.
Because of the statute of limitations, dog bite victims should not wait
to contact an attorney in regard to their claim.
What Damages Can I Recover if I Am a Victim of a Dog Bite?
Dog bite victims may be entitled to damages including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
With years of experience handling dog bite cases, our attorneys have
witnessed the devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects
these injuries can have on their victims. We have seen clients suffer
serious injuries that posed the risk of permanent scarring and
costly medical bills for related treatments. At Morgan & Morgan, our
attorneys understand the urgency of these matters and work diligently to
help dog bite victims recover compensation for their losses.
We're here to help you with a variety of personal injury cases. Please fill out a free case evaluation formto see how our lawyers may be able to assist you.