Animal Law & Related Injuries

In the state of Florida, if you’re bitten by a dog, the owner of the dog is held liable for the injuries you suffer. This goes for any type of pet and the old notion of “the first bite is free” isn’t applicable in Florida anymore.

Dog bites may cause serious injuries and could change the victim’s life forever. It’s possible that a dog bite may leave a disfiguring scar and may cause extreme emotional trauma. Often, children are the victims of dog attacks.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a dog bite, it’s important to seek the right attorney for your case. A good personal injury attorney in Jacksonville will make a big difference. Call Tassone, Dreicer & Hill today and schedule your free consultation.

Dog Bite/Attack Statistics

About 4.7 million dog bites happen in the United States every year, according to the American Humane Association. Out of those dog bites, about 800,000 require medical attention and half of all dog attacks involve a child 12 years or younger.

In addition, 92% of all fatal dog attacks happen due to a male dog that wasn’t neutered. When it comes to victims, the elderly are the second most common victim after children. Those most vulnerable seem to be the ones most likely to be bitten or attacks by a dog.

Serious Injuries Caused by Dog Bites

If you were attacked by a dog or any other animal, it may have caused serious injury. The most common injuries to occur due to an animal attack include:

• Broken bones

• Mental anguish

• Permanent disabilities

• Disfiguring scars

• Permanent nerve damage

• Chronic pain

• Soft tissue injuries

• Lacerations

• Rabies

• Deep cuts or scratches

• Contagious infections or diseases

If you’ve suffered any type of injury due to an animal attack or a dog bite, you need a skilled personal injury lawyer in Jacksonville on your case. At Tassone, Dreicer & Hill, we provide a full legal team ready to go to work for you. We will work hard to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Florida Dog Bite Laws

In the state of Florida, dog owners have strict liability laws, similar to premises liability laws, when it comes to a dog bite or animal attack. In most cases, it won’t matter if the dog has bitten someone in the past or has shown aggressive behavior. It may not matter if the dog was on the owner’s property, either.

Breeds of Dog most likely to Attack

Some communities throughout the Jacksonville area restrict homeowners and renters from having specific dogs due to their likeness to attack. Some of the most common dog breeds known for being aggressive and attacking include:

• Rottweilers

• German Shepherds

• Pit Bulls

• Doberman Pinschers

• Chow Chows

• Huskies

• Malamutes

• Akitas

• Presa Canarios

Any breed of dog can become aggressive and bite, however. Dogs may bite someone due to fear, lack of training, maternal protection, provocation, abuse or poor socialization. Often, children become victims of dog bites because they don’t know how to properly interact with the dog.

While there are some cases where the dog bite could have been justified, this is not often the case. However, if someone was attacking the dog and it was defending itself, this would be a case where the dog bite was justified. In most cases, the owner will be held liable for the dog and will need to compensate the victim.

If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog or another animal and has suffered serious injuries, you need a Jacksonville personal injury attorney in your corner. The Law Offices of Tassone, Dreicer & Hill provide decades of experience in personal injury law.