TAMPA

Dog Bite

Many people seriously underestimate what a dog can do to a human being. They think dog attacks and dog bite injuries are rare occurrences that don't really affect the victims too severely. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional injuries, sometimes even leading to death. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog attack, it's important to understand your legal rights and options.

A Tampa dog bite injury lawyer at Coleman Law Group can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Our personal injury lawyers have over decades years of collective experience and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We're here to help you.

How Common Are Dog Bite Injuries in Tampa?

There's a common misconception that dog bite injuries are rare occurrences, affecting only a few people each year. In reality, however, thousands of victims suffer from bites and attacks every single year in Tampa alone.

And the costs of these injuries can add up quickly. The average medical expense for a dog attack victim is over $18,000, and that's not even taking into account lost wages or other damages.

If a colleague or you have been the victim of a dog bite, it's important to understand your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to claim compensation and our experienced personal injury lawyers in Tampa can help you get the justice you deserve.

6 Types of Dog Bite

Level 1 Bite - Teeth-biting aggressive behavior that doesn't come into direct contact with the skin. This is usually the case with a dog who just wants to scare another dog or person so that they will leave.
Level 2 Bite - Skin contact, but no skin puncture. This dog is a little more serious about his aggression. He's not only willing to go one step farther than that, but he's also ready to tell you that you're not welcome there.
Level 3 Bite - A single bite by a dog that results in one to four tooth punctures, with no penetration deeper than half of the length of the dog's canine teeth. At this point, the dog may pose a significant threat to others and animals.
Level 4 Bite - One or two punctures from a single bite by a dog with one or more puncture that is deeper than half the length of its canines. The victim may also have deep bruising around the injury or wounds caused by the dog shaking its head from side to side. The red warning flag should be raised at this point. Until a professional has been consulted, the dog should be kept away from people and other pets.
Level 5 Bite - Two or more Level 4 dog bites, as well as multiple assaults. This dog is considered a danger to people as well as other animals. The prognosis is unfavorable. Euthanasia is often advised by behaviorists and behavior specialists due to the risk to others as well as the poor quality of life that a dog would have in isolation.
Level 6 Bite - The attacked victim (either animal or human) is killed. Fortunately, this isn't very typical.

What Are the Most Common Dog Bite Injuries?

There are many injuries that can be caused by dog bites, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones and nerve damage.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Aggressive dogs can cause serious injuries to their victims, and some of these victims end up losing their lives due to their injuries. Plus, even if you don't die from your dog bite injuries, you may have to spend days or weeks in the hospital, causing your medical bills to skyrocket.

Types of dog bite injuries include:

Abrasions: These are minor skin lacerations that can be caused by both the attacker's teeth and their nails.
Lacerations: These are more severe cuts or tears to the skin that may require stitches.
Puncture wounds: These are deep, narrow wounds that penetrate through all layers of the skin.
Crush injuries: These occur when a large dog traps you with their mouth, causing severe bruising and muscle damage.
Broken bones: These can be caused by the sheer force of a large dog's bite or by being knocked down during an attack.
Nerve damage: This can occur when a nerve is either cut or crushed by a dog's teeth.
Infections: Bites and scratches can expose you to dangerous bacteria that may lead to your death.
Rabies: This is a serious illness that can be caused by the bite or scratch of an infected animal.

We don't know about you, but we believe that the dog owner should be held liable for what their dog did to you. Thankfully, Florida is a "strict liability" state. A dog owner can be held responsible for any damages the dog inflicted, even if they were unaware of their dog's aggressiveness. Also, Tampa doesn't require you to prove that your injuries were due to an owner's negligence and not your own.

Who is Liable for my Dog Bite Injuries?

Unfortunately, the dog owner is not always the person who should be held liable for your injuries. Anyone who owns or controls a dangerous dog can be responsible, including:

Landlords of apartment complexes or houses that have dogs
Property managers
Local governments if they own animals on their property like police dogs and other law enforcement animals.

If a dog attacked you on another person's property, the owner might also be liable if they knew about the dog's aggressive tendencies and did nothing to stop it.

You can pursue one of four claims based on the situation:

Negligence - An owner can be found negligent if they failed to afford a level of care that any person in their right mind would provide in the same situation.
Negligence per se - An owner can be held liable for violating statutes that were designed to protect you and the public.
Scienter - This allows the owner to be held liable if they knew that their dog was aggressive or had an extensive bite history.
Intentional tort - If the owner intentionally sent their dog after you, they can be charged with battery for doing so as long as they intended to cause you harm.

All four of these claims are appropriate for getting the settlement you deserve, but there is a catch. Most dog owners in these situations will have their homeowner's insurance take care of the problem, and, as we all know, getting insurance to cough up a settlement is a tough battle to fight. Not only that, but time does run out.

What Happens if I Was Bitten by a Police Dog?

If the dog is a police dog, you may be able to seek compensation from more than one party. The city that employed the animal might be responsible for its actions if it was not properly trained or handled properly. And because most cities have insurance to cover these incidents, you will likely have an easier time getting compensation through their insurer as opposed to taking legal action against the city itself.

You could also take action against the individual officer who was handling the dog at the time of the attack. If you can prove that the police officer has used excessive force or acted negligently, you may be able make them accountable for your injuries as well. It is important to remember that most officers are protected by qualified immunity, which means that you will have to prove that they acted outside the scope of their duties in order for them to be held liable.

Coleman Law Group Tampa Dog Bite Lawyers

Many of our Tampa dog bite lawyers have had the painful experience of having to tell victims and their families that the statute has expired, and they have run out of time to act.

Thankfully, we at the Coleman Law Group are experienced dog bite injury lawyer that will work with you and help you get the settlement you deserve. Our talented and experienced team is prepared to do everything we can to help you recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Call the Coleman Law Group to get a personal injury attorney free consultation from one of our caring and empathetic injury lawyers.

Tampa Dog Bite FAQS

Q: Is it worth suing for dog bite?

If you have suffered serious injuries, then it is worth suing for a dog bite. The amount of money you can receive from a successful lawsuit depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the state you live in, and whether the dog owner had insurance.

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Q: What do I need to sue for a dog bite?

To sue for a dog bite, you will need to prove that the dog owner was negligent in preventing the attack. You need to show that the owner knew the dog was aggressive or had a history of biting people and did nothing to stop it. You will also need to show that you suffered serious injuries as a result of the attack.

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Q: What should I do with my dog bite lawsuit?

If one has suffered serious injuries in a dog attack, the first step is to contact an experienced dog bite lawyer. Our lawyers at Coleman Law Group will review your case and help you determine the best course of action. We will help you get evidence and build a strong legal claim.

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Q: How much does it cost to sue for a dog bite?

The cost of suing for a dog bite depends on many factors, including the seriousness of the injuries and damages, the strength of your claim, and the lawyer you work with. Your injury lawyer will usually work on a contingency basis, which means that they will only get paid if you win your case. This can make it easier for victims to pursue compensation without worrying about how to pay for legal fees.

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