Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend, and in most situations a dog is a loving companion to its owner. However, sometimes dogs are not friendly, and when this animal lashes out these dog bite attacks can be vicious. Small children are the most common victims of a dog bite, and the physical, mental, and emotional injuries can last a lifetime. The Tampa dog bite lawyers at the office of Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian understand how traumatic a dog bite attack can be and are here to help you with your legal claims so that you can focus solely on your recovery.
Tampa Dog Bite Lawyers
According to Section 767.04 of the Florida State Code, “The owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten.” This is a strict liability rule, which means that the law applies regardless of whether the dog has bitten someone in the past or whether the owner knew of any vicious tendencies.
However, Florida is considered a “pure comparative negligence” state, which means that the damages owed to a victim of a dog bite are mitigated by the percentage that the bitten person’s negligence contributed to the incident. The law also provides that the owner is not liable for a bite if they give notice with a sign that says “Bad Dog,” but it does not apply if the dog bite happens to a child under the age of six years old or occurred because of the negligence of the owner. Seek the legal representation of an experienced dog bite lawyer in Tampa.
Dog Bite Statistics as Told By Experienced Tampa Dog Bite Lawyers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around 385,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for dog bites every year, and around 16 people die from these attacks. In Florida, around 500 people are hospitalized every year for dog bite attacks and two people are killed each year from the estimated 800 dog bites that occur in the state. Children between the ages of one and nine years old are at the highest risk for attacks, and they are much more likely to be bitten in the head or neck than other victims.
Some dogs have more of a propensity than other breeds to be involved in a dog bite attack. The top 10 breeds known for participating in dog bite attacks include:
- Pit bull terrier;
- Rottweiler;
- German shepherd;
- Husky;
- Wolf hybrid breeds;
- Malamute;
- Doberman pinscher;
- Chow Chow;
- Great Dane; and
- St. Bernard.
However, all breeds of dog have the ability to attack a person and can all cause serious injuries or death to their victims.
Contact a Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer Today
A dog bite attack can be an incredibly traumatic experience, especially if the victim of the attack is a child. If you, your child, or another loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack in the Tampa area, contact the experienced Tampa dog bite lawyers today. Our dog bite lawyers in Tampa are here to help. Call or contact the office today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.
