Were you or a child bitten by a dog in Vero Beach, FL? The dog’s owner may be responsible for paying your damages. An experienced Vero Beach dog bite lawyer at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, trauma, and other injury-related expenses.
It’s never too early to seek legal advice after a dog bite. Contact us online or our law offices in Vero Beach, Florida, at (772) 758-1966 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group?
For over 20 years, clients have trusted our law firm to help them get the compensation they deserve after an injury. Our lawyers bring over 50 years of combined legal experience to the table–and we’ve successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our efforts.
What sets our team of Vero Beach injury attorneys apart is our unwavering dedication to each and every client. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, provide personalized legal strategies, and fight relentlessly to hold negligent parties accountable. With a reputation built on results and compassion, you can feel confident that your case is in capable hands.
Reach out today to learn more about your rights and legal options.
How Can a Lawyer Help After a Dog Bite in Vero Beach, FL?
Our skilled Vero Beach personal injury attorneys are here to put our resources to work for you.
When you hire us to represent you, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine liability and gather crucial evidence, including witness statements, medical records, and incident reports.
- Work with medical and financial experts to assess the full extent of your injuries and calculate the value of your claim.
- Handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies to protect your rights and prevent lowball settlement offers.
- Advocate for you in court, if necessary, to ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Provide compassionate legal guidance every step of the way so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities.
We know how important it is to recover full compensation after an injury. Call for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Florida?
According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, at least 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S. Children are unfortunately the most likely victims, and they’re also the most likely to suffer serious injuries.
The Insurance Information Institute also publishes research on dog bite injury claims. According to one study, Florida had the second-highest number of claims in 2024, with 1,821 dog bite claims reported. Those injury claims cost insurance companies about $101.4 million.
How Much Money Is My Vero Beach Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
To determine the value of your case, our lawyers will examine multiple factors, namely:
- The nature of your injuries
- How much you’ve spent on medical care and rehabilitation
- Whether your doctor expects you to require ongoing medical treatment and rehab
- The mental trauma of the animal attack
- Your age at the time of the attack
- The impact of the injury on your earnings
- Any expected future impacts on your lifestyle, mental health, physical condition, etc.
There’s no simple formula for calculating the value of a personal injury case. All dog bites are different. An experienced Vero Beach dog bite attorney can evaluate the unique facts of your case and help you understand how much you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Vero Beach?
Florida personal injury laws allow you to recover compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
If your case is successful, you may be entitled to receive compensation for things like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstructive surgeries and specialized care
- Mental health counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of the ability to enjoy certain aspects of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Damage to relationships
In personal injury cases, victims are responsible for proving the damages they suffered. Our lawyers can help you compile documentation and other types of evidence to prove your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case in Florida?
We take cases on a contingency fee basis. You can hire our law firm to handle your claim without paying anything at the outset. Instead, you agree to pay a percentage of your final compensation award. You’ll only have to pay attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation for you.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Florida?
Yes, unless the defendant can prove you were more than 50% responsible for your own injuries.
Provocation is a top defense in dog bite injury cases. If you did something to provoke the dog, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of blame under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law.
Remember, your compensation is only limited if the owner has actual proof that you were partly responsible. Our lawyers have the tools to limit the impact of Florida’s shared fault laws. Call us today if someone is blaming you for your injuries.
Dog Bites Have the Potential to Cause Serious and Wide-Ranging Injuries
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group is ready to handle any dog bite injury case, including where a victim has suffered:
- Severe puncture wounds and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Infections and internal injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries that can lead to wrongful death in the most extreme cases
Even if you love animals, it’s important to realize that these and other dog bite injuries can require extensive care. The dog’s owner should take responsibility. Our lawyers in Vero Beach can help make that happen. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation for My Dog Bite Injuries in Vero Beach?
Compared to some states, Florida’s dog bite laws are fairly simple. When a dog bites, the owner is strictly liable for the victim’s damages. That’s true even if the dog owner had no knowledge that the dog was dangerous or aggressive. The owner is liable even if the dog had never bitten or hurt anyone in the past.
To recover compensation for dog bite injuries in Vero Beach, you must prove:
- You were in a public place or lawfully on private property
- The dog bit you
- You suffered injuries
Unlike other types of personal injury claims, you really don’t have to prove that the dog’s owner did anything wrong.
Complications Can Arise When Applying Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
While proof of negligence isn’t always required, it’s very unlikely that the dog’s owner will simply hand over a check to cover your damages. You’ll be dealing with insurance. The insurance companies will identify any possible defense to avoid liability.
Common defenses in dog bite injury cases include allegations that:
- The victim did something that provoked the dog and thus caused the bite
- The dog’s owner provided adequate warning to a victim who was at least six years old by posting a “bad dog” sign in a prominent location
- The victim was trespassing
If the defendant can prove any of these defenses, the strict liability law won’t protect you. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. The dog’s owner can still be held responsible if they were negligent. It’s also possible that a third party could be legally responsible for your compensation.
Negligence Theories in Florida Dog Bite Cases
Someone is negligent when:
- They had a legal duty of care
- They breached the duty
- That breach caused some type of harm
- The victim can prove they suffered damages
In dog bite cases, the owner–or someone responsible for the dog–may be liable for allowing the dog to roam unleashed or for failure to secure the animal.
If the bite occurred on a third party’s property, the property owner may also be on the hook. Property owners in Florida have a duty to protect invited visitors from reasonably foreseeable harm. If the owner knew—or should have known—about the danger presented by the dog, they may be liable for allowing a dangerous condition on their premises to harm you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bites Me in Florida?
In Florida, you have two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once this statute of limitations expires, you automatically lose your right to damages.
Some exceptions do exist. The limitations period for minor children doesn’t start to run until they turn 18, assuming a parent didn’t take legal action on their behalf.
Call an Experienced Vero Beach Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in Vero Beach, Florida? Our team at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group is here to provide the legal representation you deserve. While you recover, an experienced Vero Beach dog bite lawyer will be doing everything possible to get the money you need. Call our law firm today to get started.
