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Enforcing Florida’s Strict Liability Standard To Recover Full Compensation
Dog may be man’s best friend, yet dogs bite about 4.5 million people across the United States each year. About 20 percent of those bitten require medical attention, and anywhere from 30 to 40 people die each year from dog attacks. If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Florida has stricter dog bite laws than many other states, but enforcing those laws often requires the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney. Drawing on more than 15 years of personal injury experience, The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. fights for victims of dog attacks so they can obtain the full compensation they deserve.
Florida’s Strict Liability For Dog Bites
Florida is a strict liability state, meaning that owners are responsible for injuries when their dog bites a person in a public place or bites a person who is lawfully on private property. A dog’s prior viciousness, or lack thereof, is not at issue. However, people must behave reasonably around dogs and should refrain from actions that would provoke a dog to bite. Therefore, the contributory negligence can reduce the amount the victim is allowed to recover.
There is another aspect of Florida law that gives owners protection. According to Florida Statutes §767.04, unless the victim is younger than age 6, strict liability does not apply “if at the time…the owner had displayed in a prominent place on his or her premises a sign easily readable including the words ‘Bad Dog.’” The victim would have to show that the dog owner had been negligent.
Injuries From Dog Attacks In Florida
More than 600 Floridians are hospitalized each year and, on average, two die from dog bites. Most of the victims are boys under 10 years of age. These are also the victims most likely to be bitten on the head or neck, which can be the deadliest kinds of bites . Common injuries from dog bites include:
- Broken and crushed bones
- Infections
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, especially in children
- Panic attacks and night terrors
You can also demand compensation for being knocked down by an unruly dog. Potentially serious injuries include concussion, broken wrists, compressed vertebrae and spinal trauma.
If you’ve suffered through the terror of a dog attack, you deserve full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. You can trust me to work tirelessly to deliver positive results in your case.
Contact my Hollywood office to schedule a free dog bite injury consultation
The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides determined representation for victims of dog attacks throughout the Hollywood area. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, call me at 954-516-1353 or contact my office online. I am conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.