How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawsuit Cost in Florida?

Understanding the financial aspects of pursuing a dog bite lawsuit in Florida can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the aftermath of such a traumatic event. At The Law Place, we recognize the stress and uncertainty that dog bite victims face, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that our legal services come at no upfront cost to you; our fees are only collected if we win your case or secure a settlement on your behalf.

Dog bite incidents can lead to significant emotional and physical trauma, along with mounting medical bills and potential loss of income. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Many victims hesitate to seek legal assistance, fearing the cost of hiring an attorney might add to their financial strain. However, by working with The Law Place, you can pursue the compensation you deserve without worrying about immediate legal fees.

Our team at The Law Place has extensive experience handling dog bite cases across Florida. We understand the complexities involved and are committed to providing compassionate, effective representation. From the moment you contact us, our goal is to alleviate the burden you’re carrying, allowing you to focus on your recovery and well-being.

We offer around-the-clock availability, ensuring that you can reach out for immediate legal advice and support whenever you need it. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss the specifics of your case, outline your legal options, and explain how our contingency fee structure works. This initial meeting comes with no obligation, giving you the freedom to decide how you wish to proceed without any pressure.

Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.

Our Costs

The first thing you might be wondering is exactly how much it will cost to use our services. Well, here at The Law Place, we work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing up-front and nothing at all if we lose.

If we win your case for you, we will take a percentage of the settlement as our fees, and this percentage will be clearly laid out to you during our initial consultation. This means it will cost you nothing to seek our help, and you will only pay out if we win your case.

While you may be worried that you will receive less in the long term, this is a misconception. In almost every case, settlements received with the help of skilled personal injury lawyers are much higher than what a victim could seek alone. Therefore, you will end up with more money in your pocket regardless of the percentage we take.

You also have to consider the fact that without a strong, aggressive attorney who has dealt with numerous dog bites, your chances of winning are much lower also. This means you may not win any compensation at all if you don’t hire an attorney.

Attorneys know the complex nuances surrounding Florida dog bite law, and this means we know how to present a case in a court of law that is hard to contest.

What Dog Bite Damages Can You Claim

To seek compensation following an accident where you were injured through no fault of your own, you need to prove the other party was negligent and thus liable for your damages. The best way to increase your chances of winning and the value of your compensation is to provide the strongest evidence possible.

The best way to provide the strongest evidence is to use a skilled personal injury lawyer who has a high level of skill in investigation and building strong cases. You need a lawyer that knows the complexities of the Florida legal system, like those found here at The Law Place.

In almost every single Florida dog bite case, the circumstances are different, making each case unique. This means each settlement has to be figured out on a case-by-case basis using the following damages:

• Medical expenses.
• Pain and suffering. 
• Loss of income.
• Property damage.
• Punitive damages. 

Medical Expenses

Dog bite injuries come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from mild to severe. The more severe dog bites can have extortionate medical bills attached to them, requiring lifelong treatment and therapy. Under Florida law, you can claim for any medical costs that you incur. This covers past, present, and future medical bills. This means it is vital that you keep all your receipts and records of any expenses you pay in order to utilize them in the settlement figure.

These types of damages are quantifiable, meaning they have an exact sum attached. These are easy to use in settlement calculations and are easy to justify.

Pain and Suffering

For some damages, the figures are not so easy to quantify. These are classed as pain and suffering. These damages include a number of different things, such as the loss of enjoyment or the loss of quality of the victims’ life. If you can no longer do hobbies you enjoy, or you have developed a phobia that prevents you from going near dogs or even leaving the house, these are pain and suffering damages.

With dog bite injuries having such a high chance to cause emotional trauma, pain and suffering will most likely be used in your case.

To figure out what pain and suffering damages are worth, then your attorney will usually use a sliding scale system to allow them to calculate your damages. This scale usually runs 1-5, depending on the severity of your case. This multiplier will be applied to your medical damage figure to calculate your pain and suffering figure.

If your dog bite was severe and caused serious emotional trauma and injuries that require long-term therapy and treatment, your attorney may use a multiplier of 5. If your injuries were mild and caused little emotional trauma, they may use a multiplier of 1.

A great way to make it easier for your attorney to calculate your pain and suffering costs is to keep a detailed diary of how you feel each day. If you are stressed or depressed, jot down a few sentences detailing your feelings. This will give a great record for your attorney to work on and use while building your case.

Loss of Income

Injuries from a dog bite attack can be severe, and this means that the victim might have to take off prolonged periods of time from work. This could lead to lost wages, and these are claimable. You can also claim for any future lost wages.

You can also claim for the lost ability to work. If you work in a factory and you have had to have fingers amputated, meaning you can no longer work the machines, you can claim for a lifetime of lost wages.

Punitive Damages

If you want to punish the other party as well as seek compensation, in rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish a party who has acted maliciously or grossly negligent.

Punitive damages are taken straight from the defendant and are more like a fine.

Punitive damages are rare, but if you feel the other party has trained their dog to be aggressive or set their dog on you on purpose to cause the damage, you will most likely have grounds to seek punitive damages from them.

How Long Does a Dog Bite Settlement Usually Take?

Another common question we get here at The Law Place is in regards to how long a settlement will usually take. This is impossible to answer with a set period of time because of all of the complex rules and regulations that surround dog bite injuries in Florida.

The actual specific time that it will take to settle your dog bite case will depend entirely upon the complexities and circumstances surrounding the dog bite case. Obviously, the more complex the case, the longer it will take to settle.

Even if the case is clear-cut, there is still the possibility of the other party deciding to dispute your case and reduce their liability. Unfortunately, this happens a lot, and when it does, you will be glad you obtained the help of an aggressive lawyer who knows how to build a case that is hard to argue with.

In complex cases or cases where the injuries are complex, requiring a long period of recovery and treatment, the case may take up to or well over a year to settle.

What to Do at the Scene of a Dog Bite?

In the aftermath of a dog bite accident, the first thing you need to do is to focus on making yourself as safe as possible. To do this, you need to remove yourself from danger as soon as possible before immediately calling for emergency services.

If you have received injuries, then you should call for medical aid first, informing them that you need police assistance at the same time.

Calling emergency services is crucial for a number of different reasons. The first is that dog bite injuries have a high chance for injection and even carry the risk of rabies. You need to be treated for rabies as quickly as possible in order to avoid contracting this nasty disease.

The medical attention you receive will also be the first recorded instance of medical assistance that you have obtained, and this is massively important if you want to seek medical damages in court later on.

The police are also hugely instrumental as they will be able to make you safe and ensure that the other party is not aggressive towards you, avoiding the potential for more harm.

The police will also get the details for the other party and any witness details before compiling an accident report. This report can be obtained by your attorney and used as a strong, unbiased piece of evidence.

As soon as you have made yourself as safe as possible and have contacted the emergency services and they have dealt with your injuries, now is the best time to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. Getting in touch at this point will allow you to hear their legal advice on what to do next, as well as greenlight them to send their investigators and to begin building your case. The sooner you get in touch, the fresher the evidence is.

How Much Is the Average Dog Bite Settlement?

Dog bites settlements vary massively between each case, and this means that the settlement figure is just as variable. The more severe the injuries, the higher the compensation usually.

Compensation will usually depend upon:

• How bad the injuries you have are.
• How high the costs for the medical treatment necessary to treat the injury are.
• How much the victim stands to lose in terms of lost wages and income due to the accident.
• The emotional and mental trauma suffered as a result of the attack.

What Is the Settlement Process?

There are lots of different calculations necessary to create a settlement figure that is fair and reasonable. The best way to calculate this accurately is to use the skill set of a good dog bite lawyer who will be able to evaluate your case quickly, investigate immediately, and build up your case with cold hard facts. When the settlement figure has been calculated this way, it is much harder for the other party to argue against it.

Unfortunately, the other party or their insurance company might decide to argue their case and play hardball. They didn’t get to be big insurance companies by rolling over and paying out in every single case against them. This is where they will use their aggressive legal team.

Your best chance of fighting a legal team whose sole job is to reduce liability and discredit your claim is to fight back with an aggressive and skilled attorney that knows exactly how to deal with them.

A skilled accident attorney will use their experience of cases just like yours to calculate the settlement figure that is fair and reasonable and will send this to the other party. At this point, they may accept, decline, or send back an offer of their own.

This is the point where you will decide with the help of your lawyer whether not you want to accept or not. Accepting at this point will prevent a long-drawn-out legal battle, but if you don’t agree, you will move into the courtroom.

How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawsuit Cost in Florida? FAQ

What are the typical costs associated with dog bite claims in Florida?

The costs associated with dog bite claims can vary widely depending on the specifics of the case, such as the severity of the dog bite injury and the required legal actions. Generally, these costs could include medical expenses for treating the injury, fees for legal representation, and potentially, costs for emotional distress counseling.

Who is typically held responsible in a dog bite incident?

In Florida, dog owners are usually held liable for injuries caused by their pets under most circumstances. If a dog bite incident occurs on the dog owner’s property or due to the owner’s negligence, the owner is typically responsible for covering the victim’s damages, including medical bills and compensation for emotional distress.

What should I do if I suffer a dog bite injury?

If you suffer a dog bite injury, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Then, document the incident, including taking photos of your injuries and gathering contact information from the dog owner and any witnesses. Finally, consider contacting a dog bite injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

How can a dog bite claim help me recover costs?

A dog bite claim can help you recover costs related to your injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering, including emotional distress. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a claim and negotiating with the dog owner or their insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation.

What should I look for in a dog bite injury lawyer?

When looking for a dog bite injury lawyer, consider their experience with personal injury lawsuits, specifically with dog bite cases. An experienced personal injury attorney will understand the nuances of dog bite laws in Florida and will have a track record of successfully holding dog owners liable for the actions of their pets.

How do dog bite lawyers charge for their services?

Most dog bite lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only receive payment if you win your case or settle out of court. Typically, the lawyer’s contingency fee is a percentage of the settlement or court award you receive.

What are the benefits of hiring an experienced personal injury attorney for a dog bite claim?

Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney for your dog bite claim can significantly increase your chances of receiving fair compensation. They can navigate the legal system, handle negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company, and represent you in court if necessary. Additionally, they can help you accurately assess the full extent of your damages, ensuring that all costs, from medical bills to emotional distress, are covered.

If you’ve been the victim of a dog attack in Florida, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact a skilled dog bite lawyer to explore your options and ensure your rights are protected.

Contact The Law Place Today

If you feel lost and alone, know that there are people here to help. Call us any day, any hour, and we will answer. We can advise you, offer a sympathetic ear, and are ready to take the reins in an instant, taking over your battle and fighting for you with every fiber of our being. This will allow you to sit back and relax, focus on your recovery knowing that there is someone on your side.

Our phone lines are always open! Call us at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a leading attorney at our firm and find out how much compensation you may be entitled to.