Florida Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury in Florida after a dog attack, the consequences can be severe. Not only can dog bite injuries lead to painful infections and permanent scarring, but they can also leave behind psychological wounds that last a lifetime.

You do not have to face the pressure of mounting medical bills and extended time away from work alone. Let a Florida dog bite lawyer help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call Chalik&Chalik Injury Lawyers at 855-529-0269 today for a free consultation.

What to Do After a Dog Attack

The first thing you should do after a dog bites you is to seek medical attention. Dog bite wounds can lead to infections or permanent scarring, and a medical professional can help lessen these risks by sanitizing the wound, prescribing antibiotics, and providing ongoing care.

Even if you do not believe the dog bite injury is particularly severe, it is important to get medical attention right away. Not only can this help prevent the onset of symptoms in the future, but it also establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the dog attack and your injuries, which can strengthen your personal injury claim.

After you have taken care of your immediate medical needs, it can be helpful to report the dog attack to your local animal control authority. Be sure to request copies of the police report and to take pictures of your injuries as well. We can use all of this can as evidence to support your negligence case.

Injuries Associated with Dog Bite Attacks

Florida holds dog owners strictly liable for the injuries of their dog’s cause. This is true even if the dog has no history of violence, and even if the owner does not believe the animal to be dangerous.

The most common dog bite injuries in Florida include:

1. Bacterial infections
2. Permanent scarring
3. Broken bones
4. Nerve damage
5. Rabies
6. Emotional pain and suffering

A dog bite defense attorney in Florida can help you recover compensation for these and other injuries, so you and your loved ones can focus on healing and moving on with your lives. If your loved one died after a dog bite, a wrongful death lawyer can help you recover compensation for your losses.

PTSD and Dog Attacks

While not every victim of a dog bite injury will develop PTSD related to the incident, it is more common than you might think. When it occurs, this psychological effect can have a pronounced impact on your life.

Some signs of PTSD after a dog bite injury to look for include:

• Repetitive memories of the dog bite attack
• Nightmares related to the injury or incident
• Avoiding clothing, locations, or people that remind you of the attack
• Increased anxiety or depression
• Violent mood swings
• Disrupted sleeping patterns (sleeping too little or too much)

If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms after a dog bite injury, seek treatment right away. Without help, dog attack PTSD can lead to a lifelong irrational fear of animals, contribute to regressive behaviors, and stunt the victim’s emotional growth.

Determining Liability for Your Dog Bite Injury in Florida

Under Florida law, the victim of a dog bite injury can pursue damages against the dog’s owner if the injury occurred while the victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place, regardless of the dog’s history of vicious behavior.

While the dog’s owner is usually liable for any injuries their dog causes, there are situations in which another party might be at fault. Possible liable parties include:

• The owner, for not taking necessary precautions to prevent their dog from biting you.
• A dog walker, for not following leash laws.
• A property owner, for not taking reasonable steps to protect people on their property from animal attacks.

A dog bite injury lawyer can help you determine who is at fault and advise you on how to pursue the compensation you deserve from the liable party or parties.

Recovering Damages After a Dog Bite Injury

Once we have determined liability, we can pursue the recovery of economic and non-economic damages associated with the dog bite injury. While every case is unique, recoverable damages typically include:

• Medical costs, including emergency transportation and hospital stays
• Ongoing care, including prescription medication, rehabilitation, and mobility aids
• Lost wages, if your injuries caused you to miss work
• Diminished earning capacity, if your injuries permanently impacted your ability to work in the future
• Pain and suffering, including emotional pain, mental trauma, and psychological distress

A dog bite injury lawyer who understands what damages are and how they apply to personal injury cases in Florida can help you calculate the damages that might be available to you and pursue compensation on your behalf.

How a Florida Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

The statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims in the state of Florida is two years. That may sound like a long time, but the sooner you begin the process, the easier it will be to collect evidence like medical records, police reports, photographs and videos, and witness statements to make a strong case on your behalf.

Need to find a dog bite lawyer in Florida? The team at Chalik&Chalik Injury Lawyers can help. Call 855-529-0269 today for a free consultation with a Florida dog bite lawyer.