Brandon Dog Bite Attorneys

Why Boohoff Law Can Make a Difference in Your Brandon Dog Bite Case

Founding attorney Tatiana Boohoff is a graduate of the Boston University School of Law, one of the leading law programs in the country. Her law practice spans more than a decade in Washington and now Florida.

Ms. Boohoff is an advocate for victims of dog bite attacks. Whether the dog attacked you, or your child or spouse, Attorney Boohoff has the experience and understanding of the law to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Call our Brandon, Florida, office if you or a loved one has been attacked and bitten by a dog. Boohoff Law will fight for your right to compensation, so you do not have to be on the hook for the medical bills associated with your injuries.

What Is Dog Owner Liability?

In Florida, a dog owner can be liable if their dog bites another person. Florida is a strict liability state, meaning dog bite victims do not have to prove negligence in a dog bite accident. Dog owners are still responsible for the victim’s injuries, regardless of whether the owner was aware of the dog’s aggressive nature or not.

You can hold dog owners liable in civil court and criminal court for the injuries that their dog has caused. For dog owners to be proven liable for dog bite attacks, you must prove two elements: the victim was bitten or attacked on public or private property, and the dog bit the victim.

What Is the Dangerous Dog Statute?

Another statute within Florida’s dog bite laws is the dangerous dog statute. This state passed this statute to protect the general public from dangerous dogs. Under this statute, dog owners with aggressive dogs must take stricter precautions when their dogs are around the general public.

Some of those precautions include:

• Registering their dog with local authorities
• Keeping their dog placed in a designated area marked with dangerous dog signs
• Restraining the dog with a harness and muzzle when the owner takes the dog off of the premises

Characteristics of a Dangerous Dog

The dangerous dog statute defines a dangerous dog as:

• A dog that has aggressively bitten, attacked, or severely injured an individual
• A dog that has seriously injured or killed another dog more than once
• A dog that has aggressively approached or chased another individual without being provoked

Exceptions to Dog Owner Liability

The Florida dog laws almost guarantee that a dog owner is liable for any injuries that their dog has caused. However, there are certain exceptions where the dog owner’s liability can dwindle or disappear.

These exceptions include:

• If the victim trespassed on-premises or entered unlawfully
• If the victim provoked the dog in any manner
• If the dog defended its owner from what it perceived as an attack

Dog owners who also post noticeable warning signs around their property can also avoid being held liable for the injuries caused by their dog’s attacks. If the victim shares fault for their injuries, the court will reduce the percentage of liability by the portion of the victim’s responsibility for the accident.

Dog Parks That Prohibit Dangerous Dogs

Some of the local dog parks where dog owners do not have to worry about coming into contact with dangerous dogs include:

• Saladino Dog Park
• Mango Dog Park
• Paul Sanders Park
• Limona Park
• Temple Terrace Hilltop Dog Park
• Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park
• Apollo Beach Dog Park
• Carrollwood Village Park Dog Park

These dog parks prohibit dangerous dogs from even entering the park and remove any dogs that show aggression toward other dogs or people.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Victims of dog bites endure more pain than people will assume.

Some of the common injuries caused by dog bites are:

• Lacerations. Lacerations are deep tears into the skin deep within the epidermis and the muscles and nerves. Crossed patterns and excessive bleeding characterize these wounds.
• Punctures. These wounds occur when the dog’s teeth puncture through the skin. Even though these wounds are smaller, the damage can remain deep within the specific body part.
• Infections. The number of bacteria found in a dog’s mouth can lead to the victim suffering from infections. Victims can reduce the chances of suffering from infections by cleaning their wounds immediately. Victims should also remain on the lookout for indications of infection, like redness, swelling, and pain around the infected area.
• Crushed body parts. Large dogs, in particular, can use their jaws to break, crush, and fracture various body parts. Depending on the amount of force the dog uses with its mouth, a victim’s muscles and soft tissues can also become damaged.
• Scarring. Scarring will happen regardless of whether a victim suffers from abrasion or laceration. The dog bite may be so severe that healthcare providers suggest a skin graft.
• Avulsion. This type of wound occurs when a body part, such as skin or tissue, is ripped or torn away. It also applies to other parts of the body. For example, if a dog tears off a person’s ear, that injury will be classified as an avulsion injury.

Start Working With our Brandon Dog Bite Lawyers Today

Dog bites are more traumatizing than many people believe. The physical damages alone can be more severe and require different forms of medical treatment. The emotional trauma from being attacked by a dog can last longer than the physical damage.

At Boohoff Law, we understand how alarming it can be for victims to be attacked by dogs, regardless of whether the dog was familiar with the victim or not. Victims may experience several emotions while attempting to move forward from the dog attack.

Whether dog bites are considered severe personal injuries in other people’s eyes or not, victims have the right to pursue compensation against a negligent dog owner. The best action for dog bite victims to take is to seek the assistance of a Brandon dog bite lawyer. Seeking legal assistance as soon as possible helps increase the chances of receiving the appropriate compensation.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bite accidents, is two years in Florida. However, it is in your best interest to seek legal assistance and file your claim as soon as possible. Pursuing legal action promptly will strengthen your chances with other parties, such as the insurance companies.

No matter how sympathetic insurance companies may act and sound, insurance companies do not care about your injuries. Their only concern is denying your claim or attempting to save as much of their finances as possible. Insurance companies will try to deny your claim by insinuating that you provoked the dog or trespassed onto the property.

If insurance companies decide to offer you a settlement, the settlement will be lower than you expect—another method to attempt to lowball you. An experienced Brandon dog bite lawyer can help protect you against these tactics.

Call Boohoff Law Brandon Dog Bite Lawyers Now

Dog bites can cause severe injuries to adults and children. The team at Boohoff Law knows how alarming a dog bite can be for you and your family. We’re here to help you fight for your deserved compensation under Florida law.

Were you or a loved one injured in a dog bite attack? If so, you need to protect your rights by immediately calling a Brandon dog bite lawyer. Complete our contact form, or call our office at (813) 321-7878 to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today. We will fight for the compensation you deserve.

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