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Fort Lauderdale Dog Bite Attorney

Advocating on behalf of individuals and their children after animal attacks

When it comes to dog bites, Florida is a strict liability state. This means dog owners can be held liable even if a gentle dog becomes vicious for the first time. When you have been bitten by a dog, the Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorneys at Fazio, DiSalvo & Abers, P.A. know how to help you pursue full and fair compensation.

Understanding Florida dog bite law

Dog owners are held to specific standards to observe leash laws and otherwise protect the public from possible attacks by their pets. Yet even with strict liability, Florida law considers the possibility that the victim may share negligence for a dog bite. According to state statute 767.04, it is virtually impossible for the law to recognize the acts of a victim under the age of six as contributing to a dog bite. However, victims age 6 and older can be seen as fully or partially liable in a number of instances, such as the following:

  • Trespassers — An individual who enters the premises with criminal intent cannot claim liability on the part of a property owner who keeps guard dogs on the premises for security. On the other hand, a legal visitor such as a customer or even a solicitor who visits during normal business hours has the right to take legal action after a guard dog attack.
  • Bad dog signs — The statute specifically protects dog owners who prominently display warning signs, which must say Bad Dog. Individuals who enter yards or buildings after ignoring these signs may not have grounds to take legal action.
  • Provocation — People who intentionally provoke dangerous or even normally docile dogs may be seen as fully or partially negligent. However, while waving hands in the face of a dog may be seen as provocation, waving hands to gesture while talking is most likely not justification for a dog bite.

A knowledgeable premises liability attorney can provide the guidance you need after a dog bite.

We pursue all available damages from Fort Lauderdale dog bite injuries

You have the right to pursue all expenses you incur after sustaining injuries from animals that bite or otherwise attack you. Each personal injury lawyer at our firm can help you pursue expenses such as the following:

  • Immediate and follow-up medical attention for the direct injuries
  • Costs associated with long-term or permanent scarring or other disabilities
  • The cost of psychological counseling
  • The additional costs associated with attacks by animals who have not had the required rabies shots or other vaccinations
  • Lost time from work, including time required to visit a doctor or a Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer
  • Pain and suffering

Each case is unique, and your animal attacks attorney from Fazio, DiSalvo & Abers, P.A. takes the time to learn all the effects the incident had on the lives of you and your entire family. If you or a loved one sustains injuries from a dog bite, you should always seek immediate medical attention. Even relatively minor bites can cause infections or other illnesses if left untreated. Then, as soon as possible, schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney.

Contact a skilled Fort Lauderdale dog bite attorney for a free initial consultation

At Fazio, DiSalvo & Abers, P.A., we have more than four decades of experience guiding victims through the full range of legal considerations for these complex cases. Our flexible office hours make it easy to schedule a free consultation and our live answering service provides access to us during evenings and weekends. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we obtain an award or settlement for your case. Contact us online, or call us at (954) 463-0585 today.

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