Tag Archives: dog bites dog

Florida Dog Bite Statute

Dog owners and dog bite victims alike should be aware that Florida maintains a strict liability statute to protect victims of dog attacks. Under Florida Statute 767.04, the owner of a dog that bites another person will be held strictly liable for the damages caused if such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the private property of the owner of the dog.

In Florida, the prior lack of viciousness of the dog is irrelevant, and a dog owner will still be held liable for damages including present and future medical bills, lost wages and future earnings, mental anguish, and destruction of property.

Though the amount of recovery available to the injured party will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault can be attributed to victim’s own actions, dog owners should be aware of their potential strict liability.

Under the Dog Bite Statute, Dog Owners can protect themselves from liability for attacks that occur on their private property. The statute allows for limited protection of dog owners who display in a prominent place, a sign that reads “Bad Dog”. This protection is not available, however, if the attack was caused by the owner’s own negligence or omission to prevent the attack.

Dog attacks can be devastating, the medical costs that follow can be extensive, and many times the dog owner isn’t even aware of the potential viciousness of their dog.

At Blick Law Firm we defend those victimized of such actions such as dog bites. If you are seeking a personal injury lawyer to pursue a claim regarding a recent attack; or if you are a dog owner and need information on how to protect yourself from liability for your dog’s actions call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Call to make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Dog Bite Florida

Dog owners and dog bite victims alike should be aware that Florida maintains a strict liability statute to protect victims of dog attacks. Under Florida Statute 767.04, the owner of a dog that bites a person will be held strictly liable for the damages caused if such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the private property of the owner of the dog.

In Florida, the prior lack of viciousness of the dog is irrelevant, and a dog owner will still be held liable for damages including present and future medical bills, lost wages and future earnings, mental anguish, and destruction of property.

Though the amount of recovery available to the injured party will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault can be attributed to the victim’s own actions, dog owners should be aware of their potential strict liability.

Under the Dog Bite Statute, Dog Owners can protect themselves from liability for attacks that occur on their private property. The statute allows for limited protection of dog owners who display in a prominent place, a sign that reads “Bad Dog”. This protection is not available, however, if the attack was caused by the owner’s own negligence or omission to prevent the attack.

Dog attacks can be devastating, the medical costs that follow can be extensive, and many times the dog owner isn’t even aware of the potential viciousness of their dog.

If you or a loved has been the victim of a dog attack and need legal representation; or if you are a dog owner and need information on how to protect yourself from liability for your dog’s actions, call Blick Law Firm today @ (813) 931-0840. Call to make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney, Michael C. Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Florida dog bite statute changes- who is liable?

On January 22, Florida’s dog bite statute imposed strict liability upon dog owners for a bite that causes injury to a person.

Section 767.04 stated that a dog owner is liable for any damages inflicted upon a person who is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the dog owner’s property, regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.

In the dog owner’s defense, if a dog is provoked, consideration will be taken into account, reducing the liability of the owner.    If a person is unlawfully on a dog owner’s property, the owner is not liable, except as to a person under the age of 6.

In the case of a landlord and tenant, the landlord may be liable for tenant’s dog if the landlord knows the dog is vicious.  Specific rules as to size and breed of dogs set forth by the landlord are the landlord’s responsibility to enforce.

For example, in Ramirez v. M.L. Management Co., Inc., 920 So.2d 36 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005), the landlord was aware that a tenant’s pit bulls had threatened other tenants, but the landlord did not evict the owner of the pit bulls. When they attacked a child who was on adjacent property, the landlord was held liable.

There is an exception to the Florida Dog Bite Statute.  If a “Bad Dog” or “Beware of Dog” sign is posted in a prominent location & is easily readable, the dog owner is released from liability, except in the case of a 6 year old child or younger.  However, a parent’s failure to supervise his young child can reduce the compensation of the dog owner or other liable party.

Whether you are Fido’s owner or the victim of  Fido’s bite, Blick Law Firm is here to help you. Contact us today if you have a potential dog bite personal injury claim. Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840.

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