How to File a Dog Bite Report in Miami

If you were bitten by a dog in Miami, you should file a dog bite report through Miami-Dade County Animal Services. The county offers the option to report the incident online or by calling 311.

Filing a report of the incident is essential. You want a record of the details collected as soon as possible, especially if you wish to seek compensation for your injuries. Our Miami dog bit lawyers can help.

A Dog Bite Report Is a Critical Step After Your Accident

You may have been bitten by a dog you have known for a long time, or a stray dog may have bitten you. Whatever the case, filing a report of the incident is essential. The best time to file that information is immediately after it happens, when your memory of the incident is fresh.

The online Animal Bite Report through Miami-Dade County will ask for the following details:

The circumstances surrounding the bite
The type of injury suffered
Whether the dog was a stray
The name of the owner, if the dog was not a stray
The breed, size, and color of the dog who bit you
Details about the dog’s appearance, such as tail length and coat type
The rabies vaccination status of the animal, if known

The details you provide in this report may prove critical should your case proceed to court.

A report is also a way for authorities to track dangerous dogs in the area. This helps to identify their owners who can be held liable for your injuries or those of anyone else bitten by their dog. A report is helpful not just for you but also for your community.

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Seek Medical Attention for Your Dog Bite Injury Right Away

Before filing a report, you should seek medical attention for any dog bite. This is especially true if you do not know the dog who bit you or if the bite is particularly deep. Dogs can carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause infection. Even dogs we know can cause more damage than we might think.

When you seek medical attention, you may be given any of these treatments:

Cleaning the wound and surrounding area of dirt and other debris
Assessment of the wound
Antibiotics, oral or topical, to stave off infection
Wound dressings to keep the area covered and safe from germs
Stitches may be required if the wound is deep
In some extreme cases, you may need surgery, such as a skin graft, to repair the area
If you have not had a tetanus shot recently, you may be given one at the medical facility
A vaccination for rabies may be required if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown or if the dog shows signs of illness

Beyond these immediate medical treatments, you may also suffer psychologically after the incident.

The medical facility where you seek treatment in Miami may also be required to report the bite to the local health department. As the victim, you can also call the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Epidemiology Disease Control and Immunization Services at (305)470-5660.

Compensation You Can Seek If a Dog Bit You in Miami

If you were bitten by a dog in Miami, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the following:

Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments required due to the injury.
Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to time taken off work for recovery or medical appointments.
Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma resulting from the dog bite.
Property Damage: Reimbursement for any personal property damaged during the incident, such as clothing or accessories.
Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation if the injury affects your ability to earn in the future.
Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, counseling, or other rehabilitative services needed post-injury.
Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scars or disfigurement resulting from the bite.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the negative impact on your ability to enjoy daily activities and life in general.

Our Miami personal injury lawyers can help you seek compensation.

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Who is Liable in Your Miami Dog Bite Case?

In Florida, the owner of a dog who bites a person is liable for damages the victim accrues. That is, as long as the victim is not found to be negligible or unlawful. The dog owner’s liability may be reduced if the bite victim is found to be at fault. For instance:

If the victim was invited to a party at the dog owner’s home and the dog, unprovoked, ran up and bit the victim, the dog’s owner would be liable.
If the victim is an intruder or the victim provoked the dog by taunting it, the owner may only be liable for a portion of the damages, or possibly none.

The owner of the dog who bit you may be liable for your damages. A lawyer can help you gather all evidence, including your dog bite report filed with the county, and establish liability. If the owner is found to be liable, they may owe you compensation for the expenses you have incurred because of your injuries.

You have limited time to file a lawsuit in your Miami dog bite case. Florida’s statute of limitations on personal injury cases is two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a). If that two-year limit runs out, you might be out of options. Do not wait to get your case started. You can begin now.

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Call Today to Begin Your Miami Dog Bite Case

Being bitten by a dog can be traumatic. However, you do not need to face the aftermath of this incident alone. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to learn how a Miami dog bite lawyer from our firm can help you navigate your case and get the compensation you deserve.

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