The Florida dog bite statute imposes strict liability upon dog owners for a bite that causes injury to a human being. The Florida dog bite statute under Section 767.04 states:
“The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness. However, any negligence on the part of the person bitten that is a proximate cause of the biting incident reduces the liability of the owner of the dog by the percentage that the bitten person’s negligence contributed to the biting incident. A person is lawfully upon private property of such owner within the meaning of this act when the person is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him or her by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when the person is on such property upon invitation, expressed or implied, of the owner. However, the owner is not liable, except as to a person under the age of 6, or unless the damages are proximately caused by a negligent act or omission of the owner, if at the time of any such injury the owner had displayed in a prominent place on his or her premises a sign easily readable including the words “Bad Dog.” The remedy provided by this section is in addition to and cumulative with any other remedy provided by statute or common law.”
Why hire an Attorney for your dog bite claim?
Although there are millions of dog bites in the United States every year, only a small percentage of victims are ever compensated for their injuries. Dog owners who own a dog who bites a victim are strictly liable for those injuries caused by their dog. Homeowners insurance will usually cover the cost of the injury to the dog bit victim, however insurance adjusters generally only offer a victim between 10% and 20% of what the claim is worth. Without an Attorney, the victim must play prosecutor and attempt to jump through several different obstacles in order for Insurance companies to pay what your claim may be worth. Further, investigating such matters often times can cost money and time. An experienced Attorney can offer guides and deliver key evidence to insurance adjusters. With the help of an experienced Attorney, most dog bite claims are fairly evaluated by Insurance companies and just compensation for their injuries are often paid in a timely manner.
