Dog Bite Attorney
Orlando

Immediately following a dog bite, it is crucial to seek medical attention, regardless of how minor the injury may appear. Dog bites can introduce harmful bacteria, leading to infections such as tetanus or rabies. A medical professional will assess the wound, clean it properly, and provide any necessary vaccinations or antibiotics. Additionally, having a documented medical report will strengthen your case when seeking compensation.

Beyond medical care, documenting the incident is essential. Take clear photographs of the injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and, if possible, the dog involved. Collect contact information from any witnesses and report the attack to your local animal control agency or law enforcement department. These steps create an official record of the event, which can be instrumental in proving liability.

Once you have received medical care and gathered initial evidence, consulting with an experienced dog bite attorney should be your next step. An attorney can evaluate your case, inform you of your legal rights, and help you navigate the claims process. The sooner legal action is taken, the better your chances of securing the maximum compensation available for your injuries.

Liability for a dog bite typically falls on the dog’s owner, but various factors can affect responsibility. Many states operate under strict liability laws, meaning the owner is responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of prior aggressive behavior. However, some jurisdictions require proof that the owner was negligent in controlling their pet.

In certain cases, other parties may also be liable. For instance, if a landlord knowingly allowed a dangerous dog to remain on their property despite complaints, they might share responsibility. Similarly, pet sitters or caretakers who fail to properly restrain an aggressive dog could be held accountable.

Determining liability requires a thorough investigation of the incident, including reviewing local laws, witness testimony, and the history of the dog’s behavior. A knowledgeable attorney can help identify all responsible parties and build a strong case to maximize your compensation.

The amount of compensation for a dog bite injury varies based on several factors, including the severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term effects such as scarring or emotional trauma. Victims with extensive injuries requiring surgeries or long-term care often receive higher settlements.

Insurance policies play a significant role in compensation. Many dog bite claims are filed against the homeowner’s insurance of the dog owner. However, insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, which is why having legal representation is crucial.

An experienced attorney will ensure that all damages are accounted for, including future medical expenses and psychological trauma. They will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies or take the case to court if necessary to secure fair compensation.

Yes, you can pursue compensation if you were bitten by a dog on public property, such as a park, sidewalk, or beach — so long as the dog was not properly controlled or restrained. In Florida, the law generally holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their pets cause, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression.

Key elements include:

• The dog was not leashed or under control in a public space
  

• You were lawfully present in the location where the incident occurred
  

• You did not provoke the dog or engage in reckless behavior
  

Yes. In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the incident. If the claim is not filed within this time frame, you may permanently lose your right to recover damages.

However, there are exceptions and nuances to consider:

• Minor victims (under 18) may have extended time to file after turning legal age
  

• Delayed injuries or complications (like infections or PTSD) may require additional medical evaluations that push the timeline
  

• If the dog owner is unknown or cannot be located, it may affect how the statute is applied

In dog bite cases, the defense will often attempt to shift blame to avoid or reduce liability. Some common defenses include:

• Provocation: The owner may argue that the victim provoked the dog by teasing, hitting, or threatening it.
  

• Trespassing: Florida law limits liability if the victim was unlawfully on private property at the time of the incident.
  

• Assumption of Risk: In rare cases, the defense may claim that the injured person knowingly took a risk by interacting with a dangerous dog.
  

These defenses do not automatically prevent recovery, but they can impact how much compensation is awarded. For example, if a court finds you were 20% responsible for provoking the dog, your damages may be reduced by 20% under Florida’s modified comparative fault rules.

Dog bites involving children are especially traumatic and often lead to serious injuries, including facial wounds, emotional distress, and long-term psychological effects. Florida law provides strong protections for minors in these cases.

If your child is bitten:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even for seemingly minor wounds
  

• Document the injury and report the incident to animal control
  

• Avoid making any recorded statements to insurers until you consult with an attorney
  

Children are rarely considered at fault in dog bite cases. Even if a child unknowingly provokes the animal, Florida courts generally hold adults and dog owners to a higher duty of care.

Florida follows a strict liability rule for dog bite cases, which means a dog owner is typically held liable if their dog bites someone, even if the dog has no history of aggression. According to Florida Statutes § 767.04, the owner is responsible if the bite occurs in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property.

No, not under strict liability. Unlike some states that follow a “one-bite rule,” Florida does not require victims to prove the dog had a prior history of aggression or that the owner was negligent. However, owners may raise defenses such as comparative negligence if the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing.

You can still file a claim, even if the dog belongs to someone you know, because most dog bite injuries are covered by homeowner’s insurance.

It’s common to feel conflicted about pursuing legal action when the dog belongs to a friend, family member, or neighbor. However, you’re not necessarily suing them personally, in many cases, your injuries are covered under their homeowner’s or renter’s liability insurance.

At Page & Eichenblatt, we help clients in the Orlando area file insurance-based claims for dog bite injuries without jeopardizing personal relationships. You may still recover compensation for:

• Emergency room visits or surgeries

• Plastic surgery or scar revision

• Missed work or job limitations

• Emotional trauma or PTSD

If the injury is serious, you shouldn’t have to bear the cost simply because you know the dog’s owner. We’ll help you pursue your claim with discretion and professionalism.

Yes under Florida law, you can sue the dog owner even if the bite occurred on their private property.

Florida follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means a dog owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of where the attack occurs, even on their own property. If you were lawfully on the property (as a guest, delivery driver, contractor, etc.), you may have a valid claim for damages.

At Page & Eichenblatt, we handle Orlando dog bite injury claims involving:

• Homeowner negligence (unsecured yard, lack of warning)

• Failure to leash or control the dog

• No visible “bad dog” signage, which Florida law requires in certain cases

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You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, scarring, emotional distress, and other damages. The homeowner’s insurance policy may even cover your claim, allowing you to recover without personal financial hardship to the dog owner.

Possibly, provocation can reduce or eliminate liability, but Florida courts evaluate the facts carefully before denying a claim.

In Florida, provocation is a legal defense that a dog owner may raise to reduce their liability, but it doesn’t automatically void your case. If the owner can prove that the victim intentionally provoked or antagonized the dog, they may not be held fully responsible. However, the law requires clear evidence of actual provocation, such as:

• Hitting or teasing the dog

• Trespassing or threatening behavior

• Interfering with the dog while it was eating or guarding something

Even if some level of provocation occurred, Florida uses comparative fault rules, meaning your compensation could be reduced based on your level of responsibility, but not entirely denied.

Our attorneys at Page & Eichenblatt, P.A. will investigate the circumstances of your bite incident, interview witnesses, and gather medical and behavioral evidence to determine whether provocation applies, and how to counter it if it’s being used unfairly.

Make no mistake. Dog bites are serious. Dog bites cause disfigurement, lead to amputations, and often result in long-term psychological difficulties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the U.S., over 800,000 victims seek medical treatment for dog bites.

Some dog bite victims require extensive surgery and lengthy therapy. Moreover, a biting dog can be a deadly dog. In 2018, thirty-six dog bite-related deaths occurred in the U.S. In the fourteen years from 2005 through 2018, dog bites and attacks were linked to 471 deaths in the U.S.

If a dog bite happens, seek medical attention immediately. If a biting dog displays rabies symptoms – or if that dog can’t be located – your doctor may order rabies shots.

Keep and copy any legal, medical, or insurance documents that are generated by the dog bite and medical treatment. Try to get the names and contact details of any witnesses – your lawyer may want to speak with them. Take photos of your injuries, and if possible, photos of the dog.

You may be contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company shortly after a dog bite. Do not make any statement to the insurance company, and do not accept a quick settlement offer. Refer the insurance company to your attorney, and let your attorney handle the settlement negotiations.

Many dogs – but not all dogs – will express warning signs before biting someone. They may bare their teeth, growl angrily, bark menacingly, or lift their lips. The hackles on the dog’s back and neck may rise, and the animal’s body may go rigid.

Florida dog owners must act responsibly. Parents, also, must teach children never to provoke a dog. Teach children always to ask a dog’s owner for permission to approach or pet a dog. Do not take any risks that might damage your health or your future – or your child’s.

When an aggressive dog bites someone in Florida, that dog’s owner is liable for all damages including medical conditions that may emerge later as the result of the dog bite. The only exceptions under the law are if a dog is provoked or if a dog bites someone who is trespassing.

If you’re injured or if your child is harmed by a biting or attacking dog in central Florida, arrange immediately to meet with an experienced Florida dog bite attorney at Page & Eichenblatt. We fight aggressively for the rights of injury victims and their families throughout central Florida.

After consulting us, if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney at Page & Eichenblatt will begin gathering evidence and questioning witnesses at once. Evidence can deteriorate, witnesses can forget, and both can disappear if you do not act swiftly and decisively.