Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney: Dog Bites

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney: Dog Bites

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Any Broward personal injury lawyer knows that vicious dog bites are not only common, but a source of intense stress. Some victims were chased by inadequately supervised dogs. Others were assured that they were harmless - "all bark and no bite" - by the owners. When bitten by an unfamiliar dog, the situation is even more dire. In addition to the fear at the time of the attack, and the ongoing pain, the victim of a dog bite will also have health concerns and medical bills. For instance, has the dog been recently vaccinated? Do we know who the owner is? Is the owner cooperative? Do I need painful, pricy rabies vaccinations to protect myself? These are just some of the questions that clients often ask their injury attorneys.

First of all, seek medical attention and follow the advice of your doctor. When possible, you will want to find out the history of the dog, including the owner and all veterinarian records. Any Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer will tell you that safeguarding your health is the most important aspect of any animal bite ordeal. Additionally, be mindful that choosing the right attorney for your case is critical. An expirienced Florida negligence attorney will assist you in enforcing your rights.

Under Florida law, the owner of a dog is liable for the injuries inflicted if you are bitten. This is true so long as you were either in a public place or you were lawfully on private premises. For example, if you were visiting a neighbor and her German shepherd attacked you in the garage, that neighbor would be liable for the injury sustained. Likewise, if you were bitten on a public street, sidewalk, park, or other public property, the owner is liable. If the owner had a "Bad Dog" sign, indicating a dangerous animal's presence, the owner may only be liable if she was negligent in her supervision or containment of the animal. A Florida personal injury attorney knows that the sign serves as a warning to outsiders who may be unfamiliar with the dog's dangerous tendencies. One exeption to this would apply where the attack involved a minor under the age of six: children of this age are afforded special protections under the law. The owner will be liable regardless of whether she was negligent in containing or supervising the dog, if the dog caused injury to the child under the age of six.

Likewise, the owner is responsible for damages her pet has caused to your domesticated animals or your livestock. If your neighbor's dog comes onto your property and attacks your cat, your toy poodle, or your cattle, for instance, the owner will be liable to you for your damages. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is familiar with the complexities of dog bite cases and the amount of damage just one dog can cause to your person, your animals, and your property. The owner's liability for his dog's behavior does not depend on whether or not he had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies. In some states, the owner must know of the dog's danger; in Florida, such knowledge is irrelevant. A competent Florida accident and tort liability lawyer will help you understand the ins and outs of dog bite cases in Florida.

About the Author:
Alitowski & Moore, P.A. is an experienced personal injury law firm that handles many different types of claims, including car and motor vehicle accidents.
Please visit http://www.florida-injury-attorneys.org/ for more information



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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