How to File a Dog Bite Report in Plantation

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can be frightening, stressful, and may leave you uncertain about what to do. Once your injuries allow, you should file a dog bite report in Plantation, Florida. Your report can be made by phone to Broward County Animal Care officials. 

This report can help you learn about the dog and its vaccination status, which is important for the animal’s health and yours. Get—and keep getting—all the medical care your bite wounds require and track their ongoing costs. A Plantation dog bite lawyer will obtain a copy of this report for your case file. They can manage all the other moving parts of your claim with no retainer or hourly fees.

Why Reporting Every Dog Bite in Plantation is Crucial

In addition to tracking the dog’s owner and health history, reporting a dog bite can protect Plantation residents in the following ways:

• It can remove a rabid dog from the community
• It can remove a dangerous dog from the area
• It can help in preventing future biting incidents
• It can put a dog’s owner on notice of its behavior

Your report can also start, or add to, an existing paper trail that tracks an animal’s behavior and can identify a dangerous dog or negligent owner. 

How Filing a Dog Bite Report Strengthens Your Case

Your pursuit of financial compensation after a dog bite starts with building a case file that proves the incident was due to the owner’s negligence. The evidence your lawyer compiles for you will include:

• Photos that depict the dog off its leash
• Photos of the attack, if available
• Photos of your resulting injuries
• Police and animal control reports
• Prescription and medical records 
• The animal’s veterinary records
• Statements from eyewitnesses

Your case file must also prove the financial expenses and losses you incurred. This portion of your evidence collection will include proof of income, medical, rehab, and therapy bills, and property repair or replacement estimates. 

Understanding Florida’s Dog Bite Laws and Your Legal Rights

The state of Florida takes responsible dog ownership seriously. Its laws that govern ownership, responsibility, and financial liability include:

• Florida Statutes § 767.04 defines the liability and responsibility of a dog owner
• Florida Statutes § 767.01 defines owner liability for injuries other than a bite
• Florida Statutes § 767.10-16 defines what characterizes a dog as dangerous

These laws can assist in collecting evidence to support your right to financial recovery after a dog bite or attack. 

Using Florida Dog Bite Laws to Handle Insurance Claims in Plantation

Getting compensation starts with identifying the dog owner’s insurance company. In some cases, that would be their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. Based on the breed of the dog in question, some insurers might disclaim coverage. 

Your lawyer can check for any other compensation options, including pet liability insurance and filing a personal injury lawsuit directly against the owner. 

The Financial Benefits of Reporting a Dog Bite in Plantation

Your animal control report can help your legal team identify the owner of the dog that bit you. It can also identify whether or not the bite put you at risk of rabies and its costly and extensive treatment protocol.

The types of compensation you recover for a dog bite injury claim can include:

• Bite-related medical bills
• Bite-related loss of income
• Loss of future earning ability
• Property damage or loss
• Treatment for disfiguring injuries
• Limiting physical impairments
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish

Your family can recover wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one due to a dog bite or attack. Compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium, companionship, and care.

What You Need to Know About Dog Bite Lawsuit Filing Deadlines in Florida

Florida imposes a mandatory time limit for filing a lawsuit after a dog bite. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years:

• From the date of a loved one’s demise to file your wrongful death lawsuit
• From the date of the biting incident to file your personal injury lawsuit

If your son or daughter was a minor at the time of a dog bite or attack, the statute of limitations could toll, or pause, until their eighteenth birthday, according to Florida Statutes § 95.051. A lawyer can help you accurately interpret the filing deadline and file your lawsuit on time. 

Types of Injuries Commonly Reported by Dog Bite Victims in Plantation

A dog bite or attack may result in the victim developing a fear of dogs, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological traumas. Your lawyer can help you request maximum compensation for the costs of these reported common injuries:

• Scarring and disfigurement
• Broken and fractured bones
• Rabies and tetanus infections
• Teeth and puncture wounds 
• Road rash and dragging injuries

Medical treatment for your bite injuries is an important part of your physical and financial recovery. Your lawyer will obtain evidence of your ongoing medical bills and a prognosis describing your upcoming treatments and their costs.

How a Dog Bite Attorney Can Handle Insurance Companies on Your Behalf 

You will have to communicate with the insurance adjuster multiple times throughout your claim. When you let your lawyer deal with the insurance company, they will:

• Obtain, complete, and submit claim forms
• Back up your claim with strong evidence
• Handle case-related communication in all forms
• Provide frequent and informative case updates

Your lawyer will also handle the settlement negotiation process. They will explain the pros and cons of each settlement offer and work diligently to secure the best possible financial recovery for you and your family.

Contact Our Law Firm for Help Filing a Dog Bite Report and Case in Plantation

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Plantation, you should file a dog bite report. It can help you identify the dog, learn its vaccination status, and build a strong case for financial recovery. 

Learn more about the additional ways a dog bite report can strengthen your insurance claim or lawsuit. Contact our consultation team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options today