Miami Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

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Dog bite incidents can be terrifying and upsetting for owners and victims alike. These attacks may sometimes lead to serious or even permanent injuries.

Injuries incurred during a dog attack can be debilitating for unsuspecting victims. Victims or surviving family members may be left with burdensome expenses and trauma as a result of the incident.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a Miami dog attack, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation with our Miami dog bite injury attorneys.

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How often do DOG BITES HAPPEN?

There are approximately 52 million domesticated dogs in the United States. Nearly one-third of Americans keep at least one dog as a pet. Given how common domesticated animals are in the United States, it is not surprising that dog bites also happen daily throughout the country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year. Out of that staggering number, nearly 800,000 require hospitalization or extensive medical treatment. More specifically, there are, on average, 2,400 reported dog attacks every day. According to the CDC, children are the most at-risk for dog bites, with dog bites posing a greater health problem for children than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined. 77% of attacks involve dogs that are owned by the victim’s family or friends.

Every year, dog bite treatments cost insurance companies, victims, and owners more than $1 billion in treatment expenses. Unfortunately, dog bite attacks are not unusual and can happen to anyone. These attacks can be devastating and heartbreaking for the involved parties. If you have been affected by a dog bite incident in Miami, you should contact an attorney who handles dog bite cases to assess the specifics of your incident. A group of Miami dog bite injury lawyers may be able to help you gather evidence, determine liability, and move forward with your claim.

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Partner

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Why do DOG BITES HAPPEN IN MIAMI?

Dog bite attacks can be traumatizing for victims. Additionally, those attacks may also be heartbreaking for owners who fear the subsequent consequences of their dog’s actions. Luckily, there are some common causes of dog bites that may help owners prevent biting incidents altogether.

Some common causes of dog bites include:

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Fear

Some dog bites may be caused because the animal is afraid of some part of its immediate surroundings. In these scary situations, a dog may feel uneasy or threatened, which may lead to a dog attack. If you own or are around a dog, it may be smart to keep from cornering or boxing in the animal to avoid being on the wrong side of this fear-based response.

Cole Gumm

Attorney

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Protection

A dog may feel threatened by the presence of an unknown person or animal. A threatened dog may attack in an attempt to protect itself or its owner. Additionally, some animals are trained to react instinctively to protect their owners or their property. Many dog bites are caused by a third party’s interference with this property or area. Thus, it may be wise to abstain from intruding on another’s property to avoid meeting one of these protective animals.

Read More: Miami Premises Liability Lawyers

Illness

Dogs, like people, may be hypersensitive when suffering from an illness. Dogs may lash out more frequently when ill due to increased sensitivity and irritability. If you are around a sick animal, it may be best to leave it alone until it recovers.

Stress

A dog may bite as a reaction to a stressful situation. If the animal is being moved or jostled unexpectedly, it may feel uneasy and react accordingly. Thus, you should take care to handle the dog gently, especially if you do not know the animal’s propensity for aggression.

Excitement

Although some dog bites are aggressive responses, others are simply accidental. A dog may accidentally nip or bite during playful situations. Experts recommend avoiding rough play to ensure that you do not overly excite your animal, especially puppies who tend to nip more frequently than older dogs.

Many dog bites may be preventable through education and care; however, some may not be. If you were involved in a dog bite incident where prevention was not possible, it is important to know the reasons behind the attack. Pinpointing the root cause of a dog bite incident may help you allocate liability among the responsible parties. If you later wish to explore your legal options, knowing the origin of the dog’s aggression may help you prove owner liability to the court.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON dog bite injuries In Miami?

Every dog bite is different. As a result, attacks may cause different injuries and damages, depending on the specifics of the incidents. Even though many victims claim varying injuries, there are some common ones that medical professionals typically see in dog bite victims.

According to Dr. Wedro, a medical author and expert, common dog bite injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

Tetanus infections
Rabies infections
Muscle damage
Broken bones
Nerve damage
Burst blood vessels
Lacerations
Abrasions
Scarring
Death

If you are involved in a dog bite incident, you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible. If left untreated, your injuries may evolve into an infection that can have devastating, long-term effects. It is also important that you maintain a thorough record of your injuries. If you later wish to seek compensation for the incident, this record may make proving your damages easier. Miami dog bite injury attorneys may be able to help you document your injuries and determine what damages may be available in your case.

Do I have a claim if i was bitten by a dog in miami?

Depending on the specifics of your dog bite incident, you may have a legal claim for damages. Florida is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, which means that a Miami dog owner can be held liable for their dog’s actions, regardless of the animal’s history. Victims may be able to recover compensation for their injuries under negligence, negligence per se, scienter, or intentional tort common law theories. According to Section 767.04 of the 2020 Florida Statutes, the owner of any dog that bites any person while such is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, is liable for damages suffered by the victim. Notably, Miami does not require that the owner be aware of any previous biting incidents or aggressive tendencies to be held liable. Florida has also established dangerous dog statutes, which are generally intended to protect the public from dangerous animals. In some cases, an aggressive dog may be declared dangerous under state law, which may require the owner to take extra precautions with the animal moving forward. If the owner fails to do so, they may be held criminally and civilly liable.

Calculating damages in a dog bite claim may prove difficult, especially in cases involving multiple defendants. Courts may consider the severity of your injuries, your incurred expenses, and the contributing actions of the defendant when calculating your damages. Chapter 767 of the state code notes that victims engaged in reckless or negligent behavior may be held partially liable for their own injuries, which may decrease the overall damages owed by the defendant. Dog bite victims may be able to recover damages for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Emotional trauma
Punitive damages

Determining liability and allocating fault in a dog bite incident may require extensive analysis of case law and state statutes. If you have been injured in a dog bite attack, it may be beneficial to contact a Miami injury attorney who can help you evaluate the facts of your case.

CALL ZINDA LAW GROUP FOR HELP

Injuries caused by dog bite attacks can be severe. Victims may be left with hefty debt, grief, and trauma as a result of the incident. Dog bite injury cases may require substantial legal and factual analysis because of the detail-intensive nature of injury claims. If you or a loved one was injured in a dog bite incident, you should contact a group of Miami dog bite injury attorneys as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help you seek legal recourse, evaluate your claim’s merits, and negotiate a fair settlement for your loss.

At Zinda Law Group, we have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you seek the highest compensation possible. Zinda Law Group may be able to provide you with personalized and quality consultation about the specifics of your legal claim. The sooner you contact our office, the better we may be able to serve you.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a dog bite attack, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our Miami lawyers. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.