Most of us think of dogs as “man’s best friend,” and for good reason; for the most part, dogs are loyal, friendly, and obedient, which is why when a dog bite occurs, it can be quite a shock. If you’ve recently been bitten by a dog, you are most likely now seeking financial compensation to help you heal from the physical and emotional trauma you’ve endured, and our Tampa dog bite lawyer is here to help. Continue reading and contact Merricks Law Group to schedule your initial consultation with our firm.
Why Hire a Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer?
Dog attacks are extremely frightening, and if you’ve been bitten by a dog in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, our Tampa personal injury lawyer is ready to hold that negligent dog owner accountable.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can result in a wide variety of very serious injuries, including lacerations, permanent scarring, loss of limb, disfigurement, permanent scarring, broken bones, and, in the worst cases, death. If you were seriously injured in a dog attack, or you lost a loved one as a result of a dog attack, our firm is here to help.
Dog Bite Liability in Florida
Florida is known as a “strict liability” state when dealing with dog attacks, meaning that dog owners in Florida will most likely be considered liable for a dog attack even if they never knew that their dog had a propensity for violence. Therefore, if you were bitten by a dog due to no fault of your own, especially in a public place, there is a very good chance that you will have a valid dog bite personal injury claim. Even if you were bitten by a dog while lawfully on private property due to no fault of your own, you will most likely have a claim.
That being said, if the dog owner can prove that you were either trespassing or otherwise provoked the dog to attack you in some way, they may have a valid defense against your claim. Furthermore, if you were bitten by a dog and the dog owner had a “Bad Dog” sign up, he or she may also have a valid defense, however, if a person under the age of six years old is bitten by a dog, the “Bad Dog” sign is no longer a viable defense.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for dog bite incidents in Florida is, in most cases, two years. You mustn’t wait any longer than two years from the date of the incident to take legal action against the dog owner liable for your injuries. Our firm is prepared to work towards the compensation you require to heal today.
Contact Our Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites are relatively uncommon, however, if you’ve been bitten by a dog, you need an attorney on your side who you can trust to fight for the entire compensation to which you are entitled. Contact Merricks Law Group today to learn more about how our knowledgeable attorneys can assist you.
