Fort Myers Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite injuries can result in financial compensation for the injured party. If a dog injured you, you could hold the animal’s owner accountable through a civil lawsuit. These cases can lead to fair financial compensation, but they are also frequently difficult to pursue alone. 

You could benefit from working with a Fort Myers dog bit accident lawyer from our firm. Legal counsel could give you an advantage in court that helps you secure the outcome you deserve. Let our personal injury attorneys advise you on your options before pursuing your case on your own. 

What Compensation Is Available for a Dog Bite Injury?

The effects of a dog bite can be costly in every sense of the word. In addition to the financial costs associated with your medical care, you could also pay a steep mental and physical price. A successful civil lawsuit could help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. 

Medical Bills

Dog bite injuries can be costly and time-consuming to treat. In addition to the puncture wounds caused by the bite, you could also face serious health implications from resulting nerve damage or disease. You could be entitled to compensation for the cost of this care. 

Disfigurement

Dog bites frequently result in permanent scars. These scars can leave an emotional mark on you, making you self-conscious about your appearance when around others. Compensation could be available based on how your disfigurement has impacted your life. 

Lost Wages

Missing work due to a dog bite injury could have serious financial implications for you and your family. If you were forced to miss work during your recovery, you could be entitled to damages that cover your lost wages. 

There Is a Limited Amount of Time to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Florida

Even if your case for compensation is strong, your opportunity to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that bit you will not last forever. Deadlines that apply to most legal cases, and dog bite accident lawsuits are no exception. If you fail to comply with these deadlines, you could miss out on the compensation you need. 

The deadline that applies to dog bite injury lawsuits is known as the statute of limitations. These legal deadlines exist in every state. Failure to comply with the timeline can be steep. In Fort Myers, the statute of limitations is governed by Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). 

Filing Past the Deadline Could Harm Your Case

According to the statute, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file your lawsuit. This period might seem like plenty of time, but it is important to avoid any delay in pursuing your case for compensation. It can take time for your attorney to build a viable case, making it vital that you seek out an attorney as soon as possible. 

If you file your lawsuit after the statute expires, the dog owner will likely file a lawsuit to have your case dismissed with prejudice. If granted, your case is not only dismissed, but you are also barred from ever filing the case again. Our firm could help you avoid these steep consequences by ensuring your lawsuit is filed promptly. 

Retaining Our Dog Bite Lawyers Can Benefit Your Case

You have the right to pursue your injury lawsuit without the help of an attorney. While the thought of avoiding legal fees might be tempting, handling these cases on your own could put your recovery in jeopardy. 

Dog bite cases can be complicated. Often, it might not be immediately apparent who the dog’s owner is. Your attorney could assist you with tracking down the owner after reviewing the police report, interviewing witnesses, and evaluating other evidence. 

One of the biggest risks you face when handling your own dog bite case is when the animal’s owner or their insurance company is ready to settle. Negotiating settlements can be challenging on your own, especially when an attorney represents the other side. Without any legal experience of your own, it could be impossible for you to determine if the settlement offered to you is reasonable.  

A Free Consultation With Our Legal Team Is a Valuable Opportunity

An animal has previously attacked most people recovering from a dog bite. If that is the case for you, you likely have questions about your legal rights. You could have those questions answered during your consultation. 

You will only have one opportunity to consult with our team for free, so make the most of that time. During your free consultation, you could ask many questions about your chances of success, potentially responsible parties, and your possible financial compensation. 

Accepting a free consultation with our firm not only costs you nothing, but it also does not oblige you to work with our firm in the future. You can leave the consultation without any obligation to select us as your legal counsel. However, our knowledge of dog bite laws can show you that our firm is prepared to help you pursue justice. 

You Could Recover Damages Following a Dog Bite in Fort Myers

If you are recovering from a dog attack, you deserve a legal team that understands how the state’s personal injury laws could impact your case. Your attorney could help you return to the same financial position you had before your attack. With your attorney’s help, you could also secure damages that compensate you for the intangible losses from a dog attack.

Our Fort Myers lawyers could represent your best opportunity to secure fair compensation in your dog bite accident case. If you are ready to pursue your case, reach out to Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.