Stuart Dog Bite Lawyer

Approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year, according to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control – though officials believe many more dog bites go unreported each year. More than half of all dog bite victims are children or the elderly. If you or a loved one have been bitten by a vicious canine, call our dog bite attorneys in Stuart to find out your best legal recourse.

In Florida, more than 18,000 victims visited emergency rooms in 2020 for treatment after a dog bite. Of those, 761 were admitted to the hospital for more extensive treatment. Aside from the treatment for the injury caused by the bite, victims also must be concerned about the risks of infection and disease.

Do these things to help your case

If you or a loved one are bitten by a dog in Stuart, here are some immediate steps that should be taken:

• obtain medical treatment for any injuries.
• contact authorities to tell them about the attack. Try to give information about the name of the dog’s owner, the color and size of the dog, the location where the attack occurred and whether or not you’ve seen the dog before.
• talk with your doctor about the possible treatment that will be needed if the dog has rabies or the dog cannot be located.
• contact an experienced dog bite attorney for advice about your legal rights.

Owners are responsible

Florida law makes dog owners responsible when their dog bites someone. The fact that the dog has not bitten before or is a breed not known to be vicious does not necessarily protect the owner from liability. However, Florida’s laws regarding dog bites are quite complicated, especially if it can be proven that a dog was provoked. That’s why it is imperative to seek the services of Stuart dog bite lawyers as soon as possible.

Expenses add up quickly

Dog bite injuries often result in costly medical bills. Between 2005 and 2008, the average cost for treatment of a dog bite in a Florida emergency room was $770. The median amount for a hospital stay for dog bite treatment and related infections or diseases cost almost $11,000.

According to the Insurance Institute, insurance companies paid $317.2 million for dog bite claims throughout the United States in 2005. The compassionate injury attorneys at Leanne L. Ohle, P.A. help protect the legal rights of dog bite victims in Stuart and throughout Martin County, Florida.

DOG BITE FAQs

Are certain dog breeds more likely to attack people?

Many dog breeds, like the pit bull, have bad reputations, but any type of dog might bite someone in Fort Pierce. As for breeds being prone to attack, statistics indicate that Chihuahuas bite people the most, followed by bulldogs, pit bulls, German shepherds, Australian shepherds, Lhasa apsos, Jack Russel terriers and Cocker spaniels. What dogs that attack often have in common is that they were not spayed or neutered according to Canine Journal. The size of a dog, however, could influence the severity of your injuries and emotional trauma.

What are the laws concerning dogs known to be dangerous?

Florida law assigns greater responsibilities to owners of dogs known to be aggressive. Someone with dangerous dogs must register the animal with local officials and house it in a secure place. The dog’s area must be labeled with signs warning people about the presence of a dangerous dog. Such a dog must wear a muzzle and be leashed or harnessed when taken out of the secure area. Failure to follow these rules in Stuart can expose the owner to criminal prosecution. Injuries resulting from failing to control the dog and protect others may become the financial responsibility of the dog owner.

Can homeowners insurance in Florida pay for dog bite injuries?

Although an insurance policy may exclude coverage for dog bites, many policies do provide compensation for these injuries up to coverage limits. Both a homeowners or renters policy may have this form of coverage. Some dog owners choose to have a separate policy just for dog bite liability to protect themselves. In fact, approximately one-third of liability claims against homeowners policies every year are for dog bite injuries. For this reason, you should ask for a dog owner’s insurance information after suffering an attack. If the information is not forthcoming, your a dog bite lawyer in Stuart may pursue the information while collecting evidence about your damages.