Being bitten or attacked by a dog may cause serious personal injuries and scarring, resulting in extensive medical bills and psychological issues. Studies of shown that more than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. In Florida, a dog's owner is responsible any time their dog bites someone, even if they did not have any prior knowledge of their dog as aggressive.

The State of Florida through various Florida Statutes, imposes a "strict liability" standard for responsibility upon the dog's owner. This means the dog's owner is responsible for the personal injuries and damages their dog causes, even if the owner had no prior knowledge that their dog was aggressive or vicious.

Dog owners may avoid liability if they posted a prominently displayed sign on their property stating the specific words of "Warning Bad Dog." Dog owners may also be relieved of responsibility from the dog attacking someone, if the person who is bitten provoked the dog to attack them. Although this will generally be addressed by a jury, under the theory of comparative negligence.

If you live in the State of Florida, and were injured or bitten by a dog or another animal, it is important to be aware of your rights. Your ability to recover compensation for the personal injuries, scarring and disfigurement which are caused by a dog bite or attack, depends upon the actual injuries suffered and any medical care received.

Additionally, it is imperative that photographs be taken immediately after such an attack to properly document and preserve the evidence of such injuries and scarring. These photographs greatly assist in the presentation of your claim to an insurance adjuster or jury.

At the Law Offices of Joseph I. Lipsky, P.A. we have over 20 years of jury trial experience helping victims of dog and animal attacks. If you or a loved one were attacked by a dog bite, we urge you to contact us online or call us Toll-Free at (888) FLA-LAW8, or at 954-693-0073 (Broward), 305-821-7333 (Miami-Dade County), (561) 514-3535 (the Palm Beaches) or 305-296-2300 (the Florida Keys) to set up a FREE, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights.