Jacksonville Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are often known for their good tempers and happy demeanor. While some dogs end up in scuffles from time to time, it is rare that a dog will bite and cause serious injury to a human. However, when that does occur, the dog’s owner can be held liable for medical damages, pain and suffering, and any wages that the victim lost during their recovery period. Dog bites can range from minor or accidental nips to life threatening and vicious mauls. Even if the bite is small, victims are encouraged to thoroughly wash and/or seek medical attention immediately for stitches and proper cleaning, as many dog bites become infected due to the bacteria-rich nature of animal saliva. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog or other pet, contact an experienced Jacksonville dog bite lawyer at once.
Severe and Fatal Dog Attacks are Usually Caused by Attack Breeds
Dog bites and attacks not only leave lifelong scars, but lifelong emotional trauma as well. While any dog can leave a lasting impression, especially on a young child, attack or guard breeds are the most dangerous. In fact, one breed in particular causes the majority of fatalities and severe wounds. Pit bulls alone account for 59 percent of all dog attack fatalities, while rottweilers come in second at 14 percent, according to dogsbite.org. Additionally, molosser dog breeds, which are large and usually bred for guarding, and include pit bulls, rottweilers, are responsible for 86 percent of attacks that result in bodily harm to humans, 81 percent of child attacks, 76 percent of fatal attacks, and their attacks result in maiming 86 percent of the time, while they only make up 9.2 percent of the dog population.
Pure Comparative Negligence in The State of Florida
Florida is one of 13 states that divides fault between both the victim and the party that caused or was responsible for the injury. While dog owners are liable for unprovoked attacks, victims may be held accountable for part of the blame if they were partially at fault. This is called pure comparative negligence. Florida statute 767.04 describes it as follows: “any negligence on the part of the person bitten that is a proximate cause of the biting incident reduces the liability of the owner of the dog by the percentage that the bitten person’s negligence contributed to the biting incident.” As an example, if the victim was teasing the dog or kicked the dog, provoking the attack, the injured party may be held 40 percent negligent, meaning that they would only be able to receive 60 percent of the damages owed to them from the dog’s owner.
Contact our Experienced Jacksonville Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a family member was attacked by a dog or another animal owned by someone, don’t hesitate to contact one of our experienced Jacksonville dog bite & animal attack lawyers today at 1-844-200-0000 at The Pendas Law Firm for legal assistance. Our help could mean the difference between financial ruin brought on by medial and emotional expenses, and regaining a sense of normalcy in your life.
