Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney: Dog Bites & Florida Law

Personal injury attorneys will tell you that dog bite cases are not only common, but can also result in significant injury to the victim. While many cases arise from an unsupervised animal , others stem from an attack following assurances that the animal was docile. Health concerns are paramount in the mind of anyone suffering such an attack. Coupled with the pain following the attack, an individual suffering a dog bite will also have significant medical bills. Questions arise as to weather the dog been recently vaccinated, who the owner is in addition to the level of that owners liability. Unfortunately, often painful, pricy rabies vaccinations are needed to protect the victim. Often, one is not sure of where to turn and most often seek the advice of legal counsel.rnrnFirst of all, seek medical attention and follow the advice of your doctor. When possible, you will want to find out the history of the dog, including the owner and all veterinarian records. Any Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer will tell you that safeguarding your health is the most important aspect of any animal bite ordeal. Additionally, be mindful that choosing the right attorney for your case is critical. An expirienced Florida negligence attorney will assist you in enforcing your rights.rnrnUnder Florida law, the owner of a dog is liable for the injuries inflicted if you are bitten. The is provided, however, that you were lawfully permitted to be on the property where the attack took place. For example, if you were visiting a neighbor and her German shepherd attacked you in the garage, that neighbor would be liable for the injury sustained. Likewise, if you were attacked on a public sidewalk, park or residential street, the owner is responsible. If the owner had a \"Bad Dog\" sign, indicating a dangerous animal\'s presence, the owner may only be liable if she was negligent in her supervision or containment of the animal. A Florida personal injury attorney knows that the sign serves as a warning to outsiders who may be unfamiliar with the dog\'s dangerous tendencies. One exeption to this would apply where the attack involved a minor under the age of six: those very young children are always protected by the law. The owner will be liable regardless of whether she was negligent in containing or supervising the dog, if the dog caused injury to the child under the age of six.rnrnLikewise, the owner is responsible for damages her pet has caused to your domesticated animals or your livestock. If your neighbor\'s dog comes onto your property and attacks your cat, your toy poodle, or your cattle, for instance, the owner will be liable to you for your damages. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is familiar with the complexities of dog bite cases and the amount of damage just one dog can cause to your person, your animals, and your property. The owner\'s liability for his dog\'s behavior does not depend on whether or not he had prior knowledge of the dog\'s dangerous tendencies. In some states, the owner must know of the dog\'s danger; in Florida, such knowledge is irrelevant. A competent Florida accident and tort liability lawyer will help you understand the ins and outs of dog bite cases in Florida.rn