Animal Attack

The Florida dog bite law entitles you to hold pet owners liable for vicious attacks. A Fort Lauderdale injury attorney can help if you or your child has been attacked.

Dogs are usually to blame for animal attacks, but any attack caused by a vicious animal can be devastating and cause significant physical and emotional harm as well as financial losses. If you or someone you love has been attacked by an animal, you may benefit by discussing your legal options with a Fort Lauderdale injury attorney who understands Florida's dog bite law. 

Our experienced team of attorneys at The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato has extensive knowledge of animal attack cases and the dog bite law in Florida. As long as you have a valid case, we can help you seek compensation for your losses. Although we have offices in Fort Lauderdale, we also serve the Fort Myers and West Palm Beach areas. 

Understanding the Florida Dog Bite Law

When a person owns an animal, whether that animal is a dog or an exotic pet, the owner is responsible for any harm that the animal causes. The dog bite law in Florida is strict in terms of owner responsibility, and Florida is considered a "strict liability" state, as opposed to a state with a "one-bite" rule.

This means that dog owners can be held liable for a dog's bite -- even if the dog had never bitten before and the owners had no reason to know that the dog would bite.

Because of Florida's dog bite law, obtaining compensation for your injuries in an animal attack case involving a dog bite can be done either under Florida's dog bite statute or under traditional negligence rules. Our attorneys have handled many animal attacks throughout South Florida and can help determine the best course of action for making your claim when you or your child has been harmed.

Personal Injury Damages for Animal Attacks

Dog bites and other animal attacks can cause significant injuries, including disfigurement, infection, lacerations and broken bones, among other damages. When you suffer any type of injuries arising from an animal attack, you should be entitled to compensation covering:

• the cost of all medical treatment you will need, including any care that may be required after your claim is settled, such as cosmetic surgery;
• any lost income/work you missed because of the bite;
• future lost income that will occur if your earning capacity is reduced; and
• damages for pain and suffering and mental distress, especially in the event that you suffered permanent harm or disfigurement as a result of the animal attack.

The amount of these damages will be determined based on the severity of your injuries, but you must prove your damages in order to recover the maximum amount of compensation. When the attack leads to death, wrongful death damages may also be sought by surviving relatives of the victim.

Getting Help From a West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorney

The animal attack attorneys at Wolf & Pravato will assist you in determining what damages the Florida dog bite law entitles you. Our West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale injury attorney team will aim to help you to either settle the case outside of court, most often with the owner's homeowner's insurance company, or to take the claim to court in an effort to prove liability and damages.

To learn more about how we can help you with your animal attack or dog bite claim, contact Wolf & Pravato today to schedule a free consultation  - 800-428-3476.