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Dog Bite Attorneys
The unincorporated community of Palm Harbor, FL, is an idyllic location for residents and visitors. Many families and their pets call Palm Harbor home. Pet owners in Palm Harbor, FL, have a duty to ensure that their animals do not cause harm to other people. Unfortunately, some dog owners are negligent and do not take proper precautions.
Victims of dog bites have the legal right to pursue financial recovery for the expenses and personal harm resulting from the attack. In many cases, pet owners can be held accountable for the damage that their dogs cause.
This is especially true if the owner has been negligent in restraining their animal. You should not have to manage the losses that result from a dog attack for which another person is responsible.
If you need a Palm Harbor dog bite lawyer, contact Morgan and Morgan today. Our compassionate legal professionals will gladly provide you with a no-cost legal consultation. Fill out the contact form on our website to schedule your case evaluation today.
Florida Liability Laws Surrounding Dog Bites
There are several high-quality dog parks in Palm Harbor, including John Chestnut Sr. Park, Safety Harbor Dog Park, and more. With more than 60,000 residents in Palm Harbor, dog attacks and bites are not uncommon.
When it comes to dog bites, Florida state law is unambiguous. Dog owners can be held legally liable when their pet bites another person in a public space.
This is also true when a dog bite happens in a private space, provided the victim is legally permitted to be there. For example, suppose that you were bitten by someone’s dog while you were on their property legally.
In this case, the dog owner is legally responsible under Florida state law. Some states maintain that pet owners are legally liable if they are aware that their dog might be violent.
However, in Florida, owners can be held legally and financially responsible for the harm that their dog causes, regardless of their knowledge of their pet’s tendencies to be vicious. This approach to dog bite laws is known as “strict liability.”
When you have been injured by a canine, make sure to consult with the accomplished Palm Harbor dog bite lawyers at Morgan and Morgan.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in Florida Dog Bites
Given the discussion of strict liability above, it might seem like Florida’s laws are overly harsh toward pet owners. However, this is not entirely true.
Florida also operates on a “comparative negligence” approach to tort cases. This means that if a dog bite victim’s negligence contributed to the attack, their financial compensation would be reduced.
For instance, suppose that someone sustained a dog bite after taunting an animal. In this case, the victim might be found to be partially responsible for the damage that they sustained.
In some instances, the damages that a victim receives can be reduced by the amount of liability that they hold. If the dog bite victim was found to be 10% responsible for the incident, and the damages are valued at $20,000, they would only be able to recover $18,000.
The goal of comparative negligence laws is to allocate legal liability in ways that reflect each party’s responsibility for the resulting damage. To better understand the comparative negligence laws in Florida, reach out to the Palm Harbor dog bite lawyers at Morgan and Morgan.
Preventing a Dog Bite in Palm Harbor, FL
When you have been attacked by a dog, it is a confusing and overwhelming situation. Getting out of immediate danger should be your first priority.
Some of those most at risk for severe dog bite complications include:
- Children
- Elderly individuals
- Home service providers
According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 4.5 million reported dog bites across the U.S. annually. So if you need the services of dog bite attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL, you are not alone.
When going into a dog owner’s home, it is critical to behave in ways that reduce the risk of animal attacks. Experts suggest that you should stand as tall as possible.
Do not approach the dog, but allow it to come to you if it chooses. Also, avoid making eye contact with the animal, as this can be read as an aggressive sign.
Some people mistakenly think that certain breeds of dogs are more likely to attack than others. But any size or breed of dog can cause harm if it attacks you.
Sadly, children are most at risk of suffering a dog bite. Because children are small and vulnerable, these attacks can result in severe and long-lasting medical complications.
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, make sure to seek compensation to hold the negligent party accountable. With the help of accomplished Palm Harbor dog bite lawyers, you can secure financial recovery as compensation for the monetary and personal damage that you have suffered.
Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
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Common Infections Resulting From Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
The CDC reports that nearly 20% of all dog bites become infected. In other words, nearly one million people in the United States suffer infections as a result of canine attacks each year.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Timely medical treatment is crucial in the case of a dog bite injury.
Some of the most common infections following a dog bite include:
Rabies
This virus is relatively rare in dog bite victims. Still, if left untreated, rabies is fatal.
Capnocytophaga
This is a type of bacteria that lives within various types of domesticated animals, including cats and dogs. Most people are unaffected by Capnocytophaga.
However, those with compromised immune systems can experience the following symptoms:
- Blisters surrounding the site of the wound
- Swelling and redness
- Fever
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain and muscle tenderness
- Confusion and persistent headache
If you have experienced any of these signs and symptoms following a dog bite, seek medical care as soon as possible. The knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Morgan and Morgan know that dog bite victims deserve compensation for their resulting medical costs. We will fight to recover the money to which you are entitled.
Pasteurella Bacteria
This is the most common type of infection following a dog bite injury. This type of bacterial infection can result in several uncomfortable symptoms, including swelling, lasting pain around the wound, and redness.
Victims with compromised immune systems may experience more severe symptoms and issues, including the following:
- Decreased range of motion or difficulty moving
- Swelling in glands
- Swollen joints
If you believe that you may have sustained a Pasteurella bacterial infection following a dog bite, speak with a medical care provider. Dedicated dog bite attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL, will help you seek compensation for the medical treatments that you require.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a type of toxin that is produced by bacteria. If you have sustained a tetanus infection, it can lead to rigid paralysis if left untreated. When a dog bite results in a deep wound, this type of infection can be very serious.
What Are Recoverable Damages in Palm Harbor Dog Bite Cases?
When you have been attacked by another person’s dog, you have the legal right to pursue financial recovery for the costs and losses that you experience. Victims often underestimate the financial and personal losses that result from a dog attack.
Because of this, it is vital to have a knowledgeable tort attorney review the facts of your dog bite case. When you contact Morgan & Morgan, we will review your claim and help you calculate an appropriate settlement amount.
You should never settle for a lowball offer. Doing so may leave you without the ability to cover the resulting financial obligations.
Like most personal injury cases, dog bite claims often result in the victim receiving two types of financial payments. These two categories are known as “economic” and “non-economic” damages.
Economic Damages
This type of legal payment allows dog bite victims to recover their direct monetary losses that resulted from the injury. Typically, these incidents result in more significant financial losses than people expect.
Some of the common examples of economic damages in Palm Harbor dog bite cases include:
- Current and past medical bills
- Anticipated future medical care costs
- Medical travel — such as ambulance rides
- Lost wages and income from missed work
- Decreased ability to earn income long-term
- Associated property repair or replacement
A skilled personal injury attorney will review the relevant documents to determine the economic damages that you are owed. These may include medical bills, receipts, invoices, and more.
Non-Economic Damages
Some of the most severe outcomes from dog bites are the intangible losses that victims experience. For instance, dog attacks can result in long-lasting physical and psychological harm.
Even though these outcomes may not cost the victim money, they still deserve financial compensation from the at-fault party. Payments to cover this type of personal loss are known as “non-economic” damages.
Some typical non-economic damages in Palm Harbor dog bite cases include compensation for:
- Physical suffering and pain
- Mental anguish and distress
- Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of ability to engage in certain activities
- Decreased quality of life
- Partial or total disability
- Disfigurement
- Embarrassment
- Ostracization
Calculating this type of damage in a personal injury case is difficult. Because most victims have no experience determining appropriate non-economic damages, insurance providers will attempt to downplay and undervalue these losses.
Do not let this happen to you. In instances of canine attacks, victims should contact skilled dog bite attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL. Specifically, injured people should reach out to the Palm Harbor dog bite lawyers at the firm of Morgan and Morgan.
Our accomplished tort lawyers have years of experience successfully fighting for the rights of dog attack victims. When you need the best dog bite attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL, our legal team is a clear choice. Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney will help you pursue maximum financial compensation in your Palm Harbor dog bite injury claim.
How Does the Firm of Morgan & Morgan Handle Legal Fees?
All reputable tort law firms handle payments of attorneys’ fees through a contingency fee approach. In other words, clients’ fees are covered using the money that is secured through a settlement or successful court case.
When you hire the team at our firm, you will not be responsible for any upfront costs. You will only pay after we secure financial recovery in your dog bite case.
This ensures that all victims can pursue justice for the harm that they have experienced. You should never hire a lawyer who requires money before agreeing to take your case. At Morgan & Morgan, our lawyers only get paid if you get paid.
Morgan & Morgan Is on Your Side
When you need the best legal representation in the state of Florida, make sure to reach out to America’s largest personal injury firm, Morgan & Morgan. Our legal professionals are thoroughly familiar with the laws and statutes relating to dog attacks in Florida.
After reviewing your claim, we will fight tirelessly to help you receive maximum compensation in your case. To schedule a free consultation with a lawyer, complete the online contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website today.
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