How do I get my medical bills paid after a serious dog bite injury?

When you sustain severe injuries due to a dog bite, the medical bills can be staggering. Even with health insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are unaffordable for many families. If the dog that bit you belonged to someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs and other losses. Getting this compensation requires you to go through a formal claims process and, in some instances, to file civil litigation. Having experienced dog bite attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, to guide you through the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve can help you receive fair monetary damages for all of your losses, including your medical bills.

Can I still receive compensation if the dog has no history of biting?

Yes, you can pursue compensation for a dog bite injury in Tallahassee even if the dog has no known history of aggression. In some states, a dog’s owner must have knowledge of their pet’s propensity to bite to be considered liable for the damage the dog causes. This means the first victim bitten by the dog typically can’t demonstrate that the owner was negligent. However, that’s not the case in Florida. Our state is considered a “strict liability” state for dog bites because Florida law establishes that dog owners are liable for the damages their pets cause when biting a victim on public property or while lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s home.

What are my options if the dog’s owner is a friend?

Dog bite victims are often animal lovers themselves. They may be familiar with the dog that bit them. When victims are seriously injured due to a bite inflicted by a dog belonging to a friend, relative, or neighbor, they can feel very conflicted about how to proceed. In this instance, you might be worried about how pursuing a case could harm your friend, cause them financial hardship, or get them in legal trouble. At the same time, your injuries are serious, and they’re causing you significant financial hardships as well as physical pain. Let us ease your mind. Compensation for a dog bite injury is generally paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not from their personal finances. The compensation you need to recover physically and financially from the attack is available in the insurance coverage your friend has already paid for. Under Florida’s strict liability dog bite laws, you don’t even have to argue that your friend is a negligent dog owner for them to be liable for your damages.

How much will it cost me to hire a lawyer for a dog bite claim?

Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. represent dog bite victims on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees to pursue your case. Instead, our fees are contingent upon the settlement or award we recover for you. This means that not only can you move forward with your case at no cost, but you can also be confident that our goals are aligned with yours: to secure the most compensation possible.

Tallahassee Dog Bite Injury Lawyers | Dog Bite Attorneys Tallahassee, FL

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Tallahassee Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

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Dog Bite Attorneys in Tallahassee, FL Committed to Protecting Victims in Leon County, Wakulla County, Jefferson County, Gadsden County, and Throughout Florida

A dog’s strong jaws and sharp teeth can tear through skin, damage the nerves and muscles beneath, and even break bones. A bite or scratch could potentially expose you to infectious diseases. Some dog bite injuries can be catastrophic, but even those that aren’t can leave you facing significant pain, scarring and financial hardships. The path to getting your life back on track begins with a free consultation with our seasoned Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers.

Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. advocates for dog bite victims, pursuing compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you.

Dog Bite Injury Claims in Tallahassee, FL

A dog bite victim’s right to hold the animal’s owner accountable is established by state law. Section 767.04 of Florida Statutes asserts that dog owners are liable for damages that result from a dog bite as long as the attack occurred:

In a public place
In a private place where the victim was lawfully present, including on the property of the dog owner

This liability is generally recognized under state law even if the dog had no prior history of vicious or aggressive behavior, establishing Florida as a “strict liability” state for dog bite claims. There are, however, exceptions to this rule, which include:

When the victim is trespassing or is not lawfully on private property
When the victim’s own negligent behavior contributed to the attack, which could reduce the dog owner’s liability and any compensation owed to the victim
When the dog owner displayed an easily readable sign warning of a “Bad Dog” in a prominent place, was not negligent in any other way that gave rise to the bite, and the victim was over six years of age

Despite Florida’s strict liability statute, claims involving dog bites can get complicated. Severe or long-term injuries can add to the complexity of the case. You need Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers like Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. on your side to obtain the best results for your claim.

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Serious Injuries From Dog Bites

Not all dog bites cause serious injuries. However, around 20% of dog bites in the United States necessitate medical attention, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. When a dog bite is significant enough to result in an injury, the damage it poses can be extensive.

The types of injuries our Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers most commonly encounter among the clients we represent encompass:

Severe lacerations that require medical intervention and can result in permanent scarring
Broken bones
Amputation injuries
Serious damage to muscles and nerves
Brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis
Infections, including life-threatening infections such as rabies
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress

The impact of an injury can depend in part on the body part it affects. Hands, arms, legs, and ankles are common sites of bite injuries on the body. Injuries to the limbs can affect your mobility and motor skills.

In children, facial injuries are particularly common consequences of dog bites due to the victim’s small stature. Such injuries can cause irreversible damage to the eyes as well as permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Why Hire Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A.

Battle Tested Personal Injury Trial Attorneys
Extensive Knowledge of Florida’s Personal Injury Laws
Relentless Pursuit of Maximum Compensation
Outstanding Reputation & Client Reviews
A Proven Track Record of Successful Results

Getting Compensation for Dog Bites in Florida

In a dog bite injury claim, you can seek compensation for the full array of losses that result from the animal attack. Our dog bite attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, help clients recover monetary damages for losses that include:

Medical expenses, from emergency room treatment to surgery, prescription medications, and physical therapy
Projected medical expenses meant to cover your future needs arising out of long-term injuries
Loss of income during your recovery
Loss of future earnings associated with any long-term disability resulting from the dog bite injury
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of your quality of life

Getting the compensation you deserve is critical to making the most complete recovery possible and adjusting to life after the injury. Having experienced Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers on your side puts you on the path to recovering the full compensation available to you.

How Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. Can Help

From identifying the dog’s owner and establishing liability to documenting your damages, the demands of a dog bite claim call for experienced assistance. Our Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers provide skilled legal representation by:

Thoroughly investigating the attack to gather all evidence necessary to identify the liable party and build a case against them
Establishing the full scope of your damages through documentation of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other impacts of the dog bite
Managing claims requirements such as paperwork, deadlines, insurance company interactions, and settlement negotiations
Securing compensation for our clients through settlement agreements, litigation, or trial

Throughout your claim, our dog bite attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, are your guides to the legal process and your resource for all questions and worries about your case. Our role is to make your life after an injury easier and recover compensation for all that you have been through.

Why Choose Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A.?

Trust your case to Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A., and find out why thousands of clients have chosen our firm to help them through the ordeal of a serious injury.

An Understanding of What’s at Stake

There’s too much at stake not to put your claim first. Our Tallahassee dog bite injury lawyers have seen firsthand how devastating injuries of this nature can be and how fully they can affect a victim’s life. We know you’re counting on us to get you compensation to cover the costs of your physical recovery, help you avoid serious financial hardships that arise when you can’t work, and make sure your physical and emotional pain and suffering are addressed in a meaningful way.

Compassion for What You’ve Been Through

Everything about this situation is frightening, frustrating, and upsetting. The attack itself was likely among the most scary moments of your life. Questions about your prognosis and what the road to recovery entails can leave you seriously worried about your future. Even the legal process itself can be intimidating when you’re already dealing with so much. Our attorneys are committed to providing compassionate service to support our clients through this challenging situation.

The Experience to Handle Complex Dog Bite Claims

Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. has assisted clients all over Florida for more than 35 years. Our team brings together more than 100 years of combined experience. We’ve cultivated our skills in legal practice while handling more than 10,000 claims, and we bring the advantages of highly experienced representation to your dog bite injury case.

Contact the Tallahassee Dog Bite Injury Lawyers at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. Today for a Free Consultation

A dog bite injury can be so much more serious than you initially think it is. Complications can arise, medical bills can pile up, and your injuries can impact you in ways you hadn’t even considered. You need to take action before it’s too late.

For help from dog bite attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, contact Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. online or call us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Injury Claims in Tallahassee and Throughout Florida

When you sustain severe injuries due to a dog bite, the medical bills can be staggering. Even with health insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are unaffordable for many families. If the dog that bit you belonged to someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs and other losses.
Getting this compensation requires you to go through a formal claims process and, in some instances, to file civil litigation. Having experienced dog bite attorneys in Tallahassee, FL, to guide you through the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve can help you receive fair monetary damages for all of your losses, including your medical bills.
Yes, you can pursue compensation for a dog bite injury in Tallahassee even if the dog has no known history of aggression.
In some states, a dog’s owner must have knowledge of their pet’s propensity to bite to be considered liable for the damage the dog causes. This means the first victim bitten by the dog typically can’t demonstrate that the owner was negligent. However, that’s not the case in Florida. Our state is considered a “strict liability” state for dog bites because Florida law establishes that dog owners are liable for the damages their pets cause when biting a victim on public property or while lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s home.
Dog bite victims are often animal lovers themselves. They may be familiar with the dog that bit them. When victims are seriously injured due to a bite inflicted by a dog belonging to a friend, relative, or neighbor, they can feel very conflicted about how to proceed.
In this instance, you might be worried about how pursuing a case could harm your friend, cause them financial hardship, or get them in legal trouble. At the same time, your injuries are serious, and they’re causing you significant financial hardships as well as physical pain.
Let us ease your mind. Compensation for a dog bite injury is generally paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not from their personal finances. The compensation you need to recover physically and financially from the attack is available in the insurance coverage your friend has already paid for. Under Florida’s strict liability dog bite laws, you don’t even have to argue that your friend is a negligent dog owner for them to be liable for your damages.
Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. represent dog bite victims on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees to pursue your case. Instead, our fees are contingent upon the settlement or award we recover for you. This means that not only can you move forward with your case at no cost, but you can also be confident that our goals are aligned with yours: to secure the most compensation possible.

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