Whether it is a dog bite, slip and fall case, or an auto accident, having an attorney on your side can make all the difference.
Take the dog bite case an appellate court recently reviewed. The plaintiff was invited over to the neighbor’s home, where she was bitten by the homeowner’s dog. In this case, the court required sufficient evidence the dog was dangerous or vicious and the dogs threatening nature was known by the defendant.
Ultimately, it was proven the owner had knowledge the dog was dangerous. In two instances, when people attempting to feed the dog, he snapped at them.
The law in Florida does not require the victim of a dog bite to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog acted viciously prior to the bite. Florida Statute 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.”
What you need to know if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in the Orlando area
The fact is, a dog bite can be very serious, which can lead to long term emotional and physical damages. From anxiety and fear, to nerve damage and lacerations. It is your right to seek financial compensation for your pain and suffering.
There are approximately 4.5 million dog bites every year in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. That averages out to 1 out of 72 people get bitten by a dog! In 2014 insurance companies paid over $530 million in dog bite related claims.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, let the experienced law office of James P. Kelley work for you, schedule a free consultation today. Our experience allows us go up against insurance companies to seek the full compensation you deserve.