Dog bites and animal attacks in Miami and other Florida cities can easily lead to disfigurement, scarring, and other injuries. Victims who have been injured by a dog may be able to pursue a personal injury claim in Miami or their community in some cases. Under Florida law, however, if a dog bites in defense of an owner the pet owner will generally not be held liable for any damages caused.
Do you have a dog bite claim? In many cases, the best way to determine this is to discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer in Miami or your community. If you have been attacked by a dog or another animal, contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation to review your legal options.
Understanding Dangerous Dog Rules in Miami and FloridaMost dogs are considered quite safe and are adored pets. However, under Florida law some dogs can be declared “dangerous dogs”. In these situations, the dogs must be registered with authorities and the owners of these pets are expected to take additional actions and precautions to protect others from the dog. Dangerous dogs must be kept in a secure area and there must be signs posted at all entrances to the area alerting people about the dog. If the dog is taken for a walk, the pet must be muzzled and placed on a sturdy leash, led by someone who is over the age of 18. If the dog attacks someone, the pet owner is likely to be held liable. It is expected that the owner will take additional care when dealing with a dangerous dog, and if he or she fails to do so, he or she may even face criminal charges in some cases.
Pursuing a Dog Bite ClaimDog bite cases are often very difficult for number of reasons. For one thing, these cases often involve child victims. Child victims who have sustained child injuries in Miami or Florida from a dog bite are more likely to sustain head injuries and severe facial injuries than adults, simply because they're generally smaller than adults and more easily accessible to a dog's teeth.
Since children are attracted to dogs, dog owners may claim that a child teased the dog or otherwise acted in a way that would make the dog attack. The dog owner may claim that the dog was acting in defense of the dog owner when the attack occurred. For all these reasons, it can be difficult to prove what exactly transpired that led to an animal attack. It often takes plenty of documentation and investigation to find out exactly what happened in order to fight for fair compensation on behalf of the victim.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog or animal and you believe you may have a case, contact the attorneys at the Flaxman Law Group. Our law firm can arrange a free accident consultation so that you can review your case with a personal injury attorney. Our attorneys have more than 60 years combined legal experience and Charles Flaxman of the Flaxman Law Group also has ten years of experience in the insurance industry as well as more than two decades of trial experience as an attorney.