West Palm Beach Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite or animal attack in West Palm Beach, you know just how terrifying of an ordeal it can be. Luckily there are steps to take to recovery not only physically and emotionally, but financially as well. By resorting on legal doctrines of negligence, Florida provides a way to recover damages to pay for medical bills, future treatments, lost income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. To head down this legal pathway, it is vital to contact a West Palm Beach dog bite lawyer and begin discussing your options.
West Palm Beach Has Strict Liability Laws When It Comes to Dog Bites & Other Animal Attacks
Florida law is very clear in regards to dog and other animal attacks. The owner of the animal is responsible whenever the dog bites or causes harm to someone in a public place. Also, the owner is liable on their own private property and others’ private property so long as the victim is there lawfully. This liability covers all damages to the victim. In West Palm Beach, it should also be noted that the owner is held liable regardless of previous displays of the dog’s viciousness, including knowledge or lack thereof of previous viciousness.
Florida is a Comparative Negligence State
The State of Florida is very tough on the owners of vicious dogs and at the same time is not sympathetic to the poor behaviors of dog bit victims. This means that if the dog bite victim was at all negligent and contributed to the attack, they will also be held responsible. Negligence is a failure to exercise caution. In other terms, if the victim fails to conduct themselves in a reasonable manner under the circumstances of the situation, they can be held negligible. Contact our West Palm Beach dog bite lawyers for more information.
Steps to Take If You Are Bitten by a Dog or Attacked by an Animal in West Palm Beach
Dog bites and other animal attacks are an underreported problem. In the U.S., there are 4.7 million dog bite victims every year and 800,000 of those people seek medical attention. Unfortunately, thousands more don’t seek treatment despite needing it. One truly horrible aspect of dog bites is that children, elderly, and home care service workers are most often the victims.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, your first step should be to get medical treatment for any wounds. Dog saliva is packed with bacteria and proper cleaning and treatment of the injury is vital. Almost one in five dog bites will become infected.
The next step is to contact a West Palm Beach dog bite and animal attack lawyer today. Florida’s liability statute protects victims of dog bites and animal attacks. You may be able to get compensation for injuries and other damages you have suffered.
Contact our West Palm Beach Dog Bite Lawyers Today
At the Pendas Law Firm, our skilled West Palm Beach lawyers are ready to help. We provide adept personal injury lawyers who possess experience dealing with dog bite and animal attacks. Call us today to begin discussing your options. We’re here to help get you through this difficult time.
