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A dog attack can change your life in seconds. When negligent dog owners fail to control or restrain their animals, victims can suffer serious injuries, permanent scarring, emotional trauma, infections, or even wrongful death.

At Avera & Smith, we have spent more than 70 years fighting for injury victims across Florida. Our attorneys build strong, evidence-driven cases to hold negligent dog owners accountable and pursue the full compensation our clients deserve.

Call 352-372-9999 today for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

In many cases, the dog owner may be legally responsible. Florida’s dog bite statute holds owners liable when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property. Dog bite claims can arise from attacks that occur at a private home, in apartment complexes, at parks or public spaces, on sidewalks or neighborhoods, or at businesses or outdoor restaurants.

Depending on the circumstances of the attack, additional parties may also share liability, including:

• A landlord or property owner
• A dog sitter, walker, or handler
• A business where the attack occurred
• A property management company

Are There Any Exceptions?

There are some situations where liability may be reduced or disputed. For example:

• If the victim was trespassing
• If the victim provoked the dog
• If warning signs were clearly posted in certain circumstances

Dog bites can be far more serious than many people realize. Common injuries include:

• Deep puncture wounds
• Torn ligaments or tendons
• Nerve damage
• Broken bones
• Facial injuries
• Eye injuries
• Permanent scarring
• Disfigurement
• Infections
• PTSD, anxiety, and emotional trauma

Children are especially vulnerable to severe dog bite injuries, particularly to the face, head, neck, and hands.

Potentially, yes. Before compensation can be recovered in a dog bite claim, liability and negligence must first be established under Florida law, as noted above. This may involve proving that the dog owner or another responsible party failed to properly control, restrain, supervise, or warn others about the animal, leading to the attack and resulting injuries.

Once liability is established, dog bite victims may be able to pursue compensation for both financial and personal losses, including:

• Emergency medical care
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
• Medication and wound care
• Lost income
• Future medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

Dog bite cases are often far more complicated than many victims initially realize. While Florida law may allow injured victims to pursue compensation, insurance companies frequently fight aggressively to reduce or deny claims, especially when the injuries are serious, permanent, or involve significant financial exposure.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning compensation may potentially be reduced if the victim is found partially responsible for the incident. In some situations, insurers may argue that the victim provoked the dog, was trespassing, or ignored warning signs. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often use these arguments to minimize payouts or avoid liability altogether.

An experienced Florida dog bite attorney can help protect your rights after a serious attack by investigating the incident, preserving critical evidence, identifying available insurance coverage, and handling aggressive insurance companies on your behalf. The Florida dog bite attorneys at Avera & Smith will pursue the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, emotional trauma, and long-term recovery.

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