Switch to ADA Accessible Theme
Close Menu
Tampa Car Accident Lawyer
FREE Consultations Available
813-217-5715
TAMPA
Tampa Car Accident Lawyers > Blog > Dog Bites > Some Insurance Company Defenses in Florida Dog Bite Claims

Some Insurance Company Defenses in Florida Dog Bite Claims

DogBite

Since 2003, the average dog bite injury settlement has increased almost 95 percent. That increase is mostly due to rising hospital bills, better understanding of dog bite injuries, and the skillfulness of Tampa dog bite attorneys.

These injuries are expensive and intricate because they have so many levels. Physically, dog bites often cause head wounds and broken bones. The bites cause several different types of wounds, including both deep puncture injuries and slashing wounds, which are difficult to correct. Finally, many dog bite victims also suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They must deal with symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened awareness.

Your Claim for Damages in Hillsborough County

In the Sunshine State, most dog bite victims have several legal options. Mostly depending on the facts of the case, including the circumstances of the bite and the nature of the victim’s injuries, these options include:

  • Strict Liability: Any dog can bite any person at any time. The breed is almost irrelevant. Therefore, Florida’s dog bite law holds owners strictly liable for damages. It does not matter if the dog was vicious or not. However, recovery under the strict liability law is generally limited to bite injuries only.
  • Scienter (Knowledge): If the owner knew the dog was potentially dangerous, the victim may be eligible for substantial compensation. Evidence of knowledge includes things that happen right before the attack, such as aggressive barking, and things that occurred weeks or months earlier, such as a prior incident.
  • Negligence Per Se: Tampa and most other Florida cities have restrictive animal restraint laws, such as leash laws and fence laws. If the owner violated such a law, and that violation substantially caused the victim/plaintiff’s injuries, the owner may be legally responsible for damages.

These damages normally include money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

What Constitutes “Provocation” in a Florida Dog Bite Claim?

The provocation defense is probably one of the most common dog bite defenses. In general, if the victim provoked the animal, the owner is not liable for damages. This defense even applies in strict liability matters.

In most cases, “provoke” is synonymous with words like “irritate.” According to that meaning, sudden movements or loud noises could provoke an animal.

But in this legal context, “provoke” has a much narrower meaning. First, the victim’s actions must be intentional. A child can unintentionally provoke a sibling, but a child cannot unintentionally provoke a dog. Additionally, the provocation must be physical. In fact, the physical provocation must be so extreme that it justifies the dog’s violent response.

The Assumption of the Risk Defense

This defense is common in dog bite matters as well, especially if they occurred on the owner’s property. Generally, an owner is not liable for a dog bite, swimming pool drowning, or other premises liability claim if the victim:

  • Voluntarily assumed
  • A known risk.

Signs like “Beware of Dog” may give rise to this defense. But a sign is not enough. The sign must be highly visible. A small sign partially obscured behind a tree probably does not suffice. Additionally, the victim must have sufficient reading comprehension skills to read the sign and understand what it means.

Partner with Tenacious Lawyers

Dog bite victims may be entitled to substantial compensation, but insurance companies do not simply give this money away. For a free consultation with an experienced dog bite injury attorney in Tampa, contact The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. We do not charge upfront legal fees in negligence cases.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

The experience you need in your pursuit of justice

The greatest distinguishing feature among attorneys is their level of experience. Our firm has more than 60 years of legal experience, much of it spent in the courtroom at trial. As a result, our Tampa personal injury lawyers rarely encounter an unfamiliar situation and can thoroughly answer your urgent questions. Our criminal defense practice features a board certified criminal trial lawyer and two former prosecutors with impressive knowledge of trial tactics and procedures.

The resources to provide quality representation for the length of your case

Whether your case involves medical malpractice, an auto accident or a wrongful death, your attorney must be prepared to take the case all the way through trial to verdict. Many personal injury attorneys advance the cost of litigation, so they can only last so long before financial pressures start to mount. As a client, you have to wonder whether an attorney's advice to settle your case reflects the quality of the offer or your attorneys need to get paid. Fortunately, The Matassini Law Firm has the resources to pursue civil verdicts and settlements that reflect the actual value of your case.

Call our Tampa Bay car accident lawyers for a free consultation

A crisis in your life calls for capable and compassionate assistance. The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. addresses your needs all the way through the legal process. For your free initial confidential conference with one of our Tampa car accident attorneys, call us today at 813-217-5715 or contact us online.

Share This Page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
888-377-0011
Toll Free
813-217-5715
Tampa
2811 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33609
GET DRIVING DIRECTIONS
+