Boca Raton Dog Bite Attorney
What to Do if You Have Suffered a Dog Bite or Animal Attack
A dog bite or any animal attack can be extremely traumatic in more ways than one. What is perhaps most upsetting is when a dog bite injury comes from the very animals we consider to be “man’s best friend.” After all, we see them nearly every day — on our streets, in the park or in neighbor’s yards. It’s hard to know where to turn after you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog attack in Florida. The personal injury attorneys at the Eltringham Law Group specialize in this area of Florida law and can help you in this difficult time.
No one disputes the life-altering impact of dog bite injuries in Florida. However, there are different laws in each county of Florida in regards to animal attacks. It is crucial that you employ the help of a personal injury attorney who is experienced with these cases and familiar with local laws. While Florida laws may be tougher than many other states on dog owners, ordinances vary in each area. This is where the Eltringham Law Group steps in to help you.
Our law offices are conveniently located in Boca Raton and serve victims throughout South Florida, from Miami to Port St. Lucie County – we know the laws and regulations that apply to your dog bite case.
We Can Help
When you come in for your free consultation, a dog bite injury lawyer will discuss with you the financial relief you may be able to seek to account for the impact of the dog attack on your life, including:
- Present and future medical bills
- Present and future lost wages and future estimated earnings
- Damages stemming from present and future pain, scarring and mental suffering
- Damaged or destroyed property
Often, dog owners may have homeowners’ insurance that covers animal attacks. Our attorneys can determine the liable party’s policy and handle negotiations with adjusters from the homeowners’ insurance carrier.
In every case, there are a few things you have to prove in order to get the financial help you need to address the physical and emotional impact of your injuries. Our animal attack attorneys will discuss the specifics of what led to your injuries when you come in for a free consultation.
Figuring out if you are eligible to seek compensation, much less dealing with other attorneys and insurance adjusters, can be quite overwhelming in the days following an attack. When you’re recovering from your injuries, you can be assured the attorneys at Eltringham Law Group, will give your case the attention it so greatly deserves.
What To Do After A Dog Bite Or Animal Attack
Taking the appropriate action after a dog bite or animal attack is critical not just for possible legal action, but more importantly to your health.
- Seek medical care especially for puncture wounds and serious injuries. Many dogs may not be up to date on their vaccinations or carry the appropriate ones and you can be prone to infection. If possible, take pictures of your wounds prior to treatment for documentation.
- Exchange information with the owner of the dog including name, address and phone number so you can contact them in order to verify the dog’s vaccination history. If the dog has a tag on its collar of any kind with registration, name or any other information, take down that information or take a picture of the dog tag. If they are unwilling to give information and you are able to do so, take a picture of the person and dog. If there are any witnesses to the event, be sure to get their contact information as well – this could be one of the most crucial parts to your case. Few dog owners want to claim responsibility for their animal being vicious.
- File a report with both the local police where the animal attack occurred, as well as animal control. Depending on the location, one or both agencies will file reports, document the incident and start an investigation of their own which could also help your case.
- Document and take notes of all injuries associated with the dog bite or animal attack including details of the injury, pain levels, decreased mobility and other effects. Write down in full how the incident happened including all circumstances surround the dog bite or animal attack with as much detail as you can remember. Keep daily detailed records of any contact with the dog or animal owner, witnesses, injuries, and medical bills as well as daily photographs of your injuries to show any progression or digression.
Call the Eltringham Law Group and speak with our experienced animal attack and dog bite injury attorneys to discuss how we may be able to help recover any financial and emotional losses that you may incur due to the incident.
What to Expect Following A Dog Bite
When you choose the Eltringham Law Group to represent you following a dog bite involving personal injury, here is what you can expect to happen:
- We offer free consultations so you can get all your questions answered and can spend time talking directly with an experienced attorney about your rights and expected outcomes.
- Leave all the work to us. We will be in contact with doctors, hospitals, witnesses, insurance providers, police, attorneys and anyone else necessary to settle your claim. We will thoroughly investigate your accident and will build a solid case so that you are more likely to be awarded additional compensation from insurance companies or other parties.
- You focus on you. Whether you are still recovering from injuries or are simply dealing with the stress and anxiety that is common following a dog bite, now is the time to focus on your own needs while you leave the details of your case in the hands of experienced attorneys that will get the job done right.
- We work on a contingent fee basis. This means that you don’t need to lay out any money up front in order to have our injury attorneys work on your case. We don’t get paid unless we recover a financial settlement or jury award for you.
For more information about legal services regarding dog bites and animal attacks offered by the Eltringham Law Group in Boca Raton, contact us today for a consultation at NO COST at 561-338-0420.
Common Legal Questions About Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
If you’ve been attacked or bitten by a dog, it’s important to report the incident immediately to animal control and/or the local police. If you are able to identify the dog and its owner, find out if the dog has been vaccinated and get their contact information as well as their local vet. If you cannot identify the dog and its owner, do your best to document the scene and remember details of the dog and sequence of events. Seek medical attention to assess your wounds and take proper precautions. Our attorneys at Eltringham Law Group will help you with legalities of the incident while you focus on your recovery.
The attorneys at Eltringham Law Group can help you file legal claims that will fairly compensate you for several circumstances including medical bills incurred, future medical expense, pain, disability, emotional distress, and loss of earnings.
Florida statute holds dog owners liable for the injuries their dogs cause if the dog bites another person while that person is in a public of lawfully private property. The owner can be held liable regardless if they didn’t know the dog had vicious tendencies or took responsible care to prevent the attack
Florida’s civil court system requires you to file a lawsuit for injuries suffered from a dog bite or attack within four years of the incident. However, it’s recommended to seek medical attention and legal consult immediately following the incident. Personal injury cases involving dog bites can be very time sensitive so it’s important to speak to one of our experienced attorneys at Eltringham Law Group to review your case at no cost to you.
