Kissimmee Dog Bite Attorney
Animal owners are responsible for the damage their pets inflict
In just a few seconds, an animal attack can leave someone with a lifetime of scars and residual effects. Dogs that may seem friendly or docile one moment can change unpredictably and turn violent for seemingly no reason at all. If you or a family member recently experienced an attack by a dog or other domesticated animal, you may have legal options.
Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A. works on behalf of clients in the Kissimmee & Orlando area who have been injured in attacks, by accident or by other means. If your family member recently suffered an animal attack, we can help you with your case. Contact our experienced Kissimmee dog bite attorneys today.
Florida imposes a tough liability standard on dog owners
Some states impose a high standard on pet owners. Under Florida law, pet owners are legally and financially responsible for the harm their pets cause to other people, regardless of whether the victims had warning that such an attack was likely or the animals had a history of violence. Florida Statute 767.04 makes the owner of any dog liable for the injuries of a bitten person if the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private premises. This includes guests and others, such as:
- Maintenance personnel
- Police officers
- Landlords and property owners
- Postal workers
A victim’s own negligence reduces liability
A dog owner may not be held responsible for the full damages if the attack victim’s own negligence partially caused the incident. If the victim’s own negligence is the proximate cause of the attack, a jury may be allowed to assign the victim a percentage of fault and reduce the amount a pet owner owes that person by that percentage. Typical examples of behavior that may reduce a victim’s award include:
- Provoking the animal in some way
- Getting into an altercation with the animal’s owner
- Engaging in unauthorized behavior
A dog owner can potentially avoid liability in some situations by posting an easily readable sign around the property including the words “Bad Dog.” This is meant to provide warning to those on or near the property that they must be wary of the animal. However, if the victim is 6 years old or younger, a sign will not reduceliability for an attack.
Speak to an experienced Kissimmee dog bite attorney in Central Florida
Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A. handles personal injury cases in Kissimmee, Orlando, Altamonte Springs and throughout Central Florida If you or a loved one was injured by a dog, the animal’s owner may be legally and financially responsible for the harm. Contact us at 407-483-0500 or online to schedule a free initial consultation about your animal attack case.
