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Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer

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Many people have loving pets, so when a dog bites you it normally comes as a shock. Unfortunately, there are dangerous dogs that pose a significant risk to Tampa residents. A severe dog bite could be physically and mentally traumatizing. You may even require extensive and costly medical treatment.

Unfortunately, these types of accidents often leave victims in pain, facing medical expenses, and stressed about not knowing what to do next.

If you suffered harm after a dog attack, you should ask an experienced personal injury attorney whether you have ground to file a lawsuit. Working with a Tampa dog bite lawyer could help you obtain sufficient compensation from the at-fault parties.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries depending on the breed and viciousness of the pet. Typically, these types of injuries are assessed and categorized on a six-level scale. The six levels of dog bite injuries are:

You may have experienced a first- or second-level bite at some point in your life, but if a dog punctures your skin, the outcome can be severe. Most civil cases for dog attacks consist of third-level bites and higher.

Fortunately, level six bites very rarely occur, though they are still possible. A local dog bite attorney could help you assess the severity of your injury to determine the amount of compensation that may be available to you.

If a Dog Attacks Me in a Park, Could I Sue the Owner?

Under state law, the owner of the dog is responsible for damages if their pet bites someone. As long as you were not trespassing or provoking the dog, you could have a valid case.

In some instances, you may see warning signs in dog parks acknowledging the potential danger of attacks. Some parks might even require you to sign a waiver before entering. These tactics are used to limit the liability of the park itself, but you could still work with a lawyer to file a claim against the dog’s owner.

What is The Statute of Limitations for Suing the Owner?

Generally, the statute of limitations in Florida is four years from the date of the injury. This means that your lawsuit against the dog owner must be filed in the correct court within four years of the incident, or the case may be permanently barred.

Assessing Liability in Tampa Dog Bite Cases

According to § 767.01 of the 2019 Florida Statutes, the dog’s owner will be held liable for any harm their pet causes to another person or animal. The owner would be at fault even if they were unaware of the vicious tendencies of the dog.  It does not matter if the dog was on or off a leash. In certain circumstances, a landlord or a third party who was taking care of the dog may be liable.

It also is not necessary to suffer an actual bite to claim damages. For instance, injuries incurred in a fall when a dog knocked you down or chased you would be covered. The owner is also liable if a dog killed or injured your pet or damaged your personal property. Most importantly, Florida dog bite laws do not require the victim to prove their injuries were a result of an owner’s negligence.

However, Tampa is a comparative negligence state, meaning you could be deemed partially responsible for your injuries. The liability of the owner will be reduced by the percentage of fault contributed to you, so it would be beneficial to seek out legal help if you are accused of partial liability in a dog bite case.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Attack Injury Cases?

Homeowners insurance usually covers dog bite injuries unless they are specifically excluded from the policy. If you are unsure whether the owner of the dog is covered by homeowner’s insurance, state law allows us to obtain that information for you.

Compensation for Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Children account for about half of all dog bites. The consequences of an animal attack could include deep bites, scratches, bone fractures, infection, and nerve damage. Our injury attorneys could pursue all that compensation you or your child is entitled to after a dog attack, which could include:

We hope to obtain the just compensation you need to recover physically and emotionally after an attack.

Schedule a Consultation with a Tampa Dog Bite Attorney Today

While many dogs are docile and friendly toward strangers, some encounters are not so innocent. An animal attack can lead to high medical costs and severe mental anguish. The aftermath of an animal attack can be a challenging time for you and your family. You may be uncertain whether you have a valid legal claim arising from the accident. You may be at a loss with how to proceed. Our Tampa dog bite lawyers can help. We can give you the advice and counsel you need to move forward.

We know a civil lawsuit may not completely make up for all your emotional losses, but hopefully, just compensation can help you regain some financial stability after the accident. Speak with a dog bite attorney today to develop a better understanding of your accident case and the legal process of filing a lawsuit or click the button below for a free consultation so that you can focus on getting better while we take care of everything else.

Click here for a free consultation so that you can focus on healing while we take care of everything else.

what our clients say

Client Testimonials & Reviews

I have received nothing but the best service I can ask for from Mike Hancock’s office. He and his office are true professionals in every sense of the word. They guided me along the process and had outstanding communication. I am more than pleased with the services they provided, and I would definitely recommend them to anybody.

— Kayla Hamilton

From first to last interactions with attorneys Mike and Claire Hancock, to all the supporting staff and legals, the office has always been courteous, knowledgeable, and professional. They have always gotten right back with me when I had a question, and would not hesitate to highly recommend them.

—Debbie Smith

Absolutely fantastic! The Attorneys and its staff are very knowledgeable. Through my entire process they kept constant communication and the return of calls. I couldn't have made a better choice.Can’t say enough. Thank you, Mike and Gabby.

- L.C.

I want to express my thanks to you and your staff for handling my case. Your expertise and kindness in representing me was invaluable. Thank you so much for your professional and effective help. I won’t hesitate to recommend your firm to anyone who may need legal assistance

- J.M. of Tampa, Florida

I have no words to describe the wonderful experience that had been for me to do business with his legal firm . . . I really appreciate all the great effort that you guys put into my case.

- F.F. of Ocala, Florida

Heartfelt thanks to you for my check and for all your work for the extra check. I am so grateful to you. Appreciate everything very much! Special thoughts and prayers.

- So grateful to you

Thanks for the awesome service. You both did so much work on this and I appreciate it very much. This is a great outcome.

- P.Q. of Palatka, Florida

Mike and his team are awesome, emails are always responded back same day and the chiropractor recommendation was great. I was in a small fender bender but was always treated as if my case was worth a million dollars. I recommend his firm 1,000% you won't be disappointed.

- Chris

Your unwavering commitment to my family, and the love and compassion you have shown by your actions, and not just words, have had a dramatic, unforgettable impact on us all. Your kindness and level headedness in your representation has helped us be able to live a decent and stress-free life from here forward.

- P.M. of Brooksville, Florida

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