The State of Florida has certain statutes designed to explain who is at fault in the event of a dog bite accident. A dog owner can be held liable for their dog biting another person if:
- The injury is to a person or another person’s property
- Said person was not trespassing on the dog owner’s property
- The injured individual was not teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog to prove said injuries
The law applies to injuries caused by dog bites and injuries a dog may cause when attacking a person. For example, if a dog knocks a person over and tramples them, the victim may still be able to seek damages under Florida’s dog bite law—even though they did not sustain a dog bite.
Florida also has a strict liability dog bite law, which means a dog owner is liable for any injuries their dog may cause, regardless of whether or not they had any indication their dog would attack another person. Dog owners are seen as responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their pets, even if they believe their dogs are friendly and harmless.
When can you file for a dog bite lawsuit?
As with most lawsuits, it is important you file them as soon as possible to ensure the statute of limitations does not prohibit your case from proceeding. In Florida, individuals injured by dog bites have four years to file a lawsuit with the court. Cases filed after the deadline are almost always dismissed.
Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyer can help you get your case filed within the deadline. Call us today!
Retain a Lawyer from Our Firm Today
At the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., our Jacksonville dog bite attorneys have more than 90 years of combined experience and are proud to say that our founding lawyer has a 9.8 / 10 Superb Rating by Avvo! We have represented many individuals who have suffered from dog bites and successfully held negligent dog owners liable for our clients’ injuries. If you wish to learn how our firm can help you, please schedule a case evaluation today.