You may have seen and approached your family member’s, friend’s, or neighbor’s dog dozens of times before. You may even go out of your way to get permission from their owner first. But, most unfortunately, it only takes one time, in a split second, for the dog to turn and bite you. What may make this matter even worse is if this was a strange dog, with which you are unfamiliar with their vaccination and overall medical history. In any event, you may want to sue for the damages in the aftermath of your dog bite injury. Continue reading to learn whether you can sue after a dog bite incident and how an experienced Tampa dog bite lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help facilitate your legal claim.
What were the possible reasons why a dog bit me?
Your being bitten by a dog may have come so suddenly and unexpectedly for you. But below are possible reasons as to why you may have been made the victim of such an incident:
- The dog may have bitten you accidentally: for example, the dog may have thought they were playfully wrestling with you.
- The dog may have bitten you in a moment of stress: for example, the dog may have felt scared if they felt trapped by their collar.
- The dog may have bitten you as an act of protection: for example, the dog may have thought that you were approaching their food, toy, or puppies.
Can I sue after a dog bite incident in the state of Florida?
Regardless of the exact reasoning behind why a dog may have bitten you, you may understand that the undeniable conclusion is it was due to no fault of your own. It may not even be the dog’s fault, but rather the fault of their negligent owner.
That is, the state of Florida, more often than not, inflicts strict liability onto dog owners in the event of a dog bite or attack. This reigns true regardless of whether or not the dog has a history of biting; and, therefore, whether or not the dog owner could have predicted their propensity for violence. Also, this is regardless of whether or not the bite or attack occurred in a public place or while the victim was a welcomed visitor on the dog owner’s premises.
This is all to say that you may have a valid dog bite injury claim against a dog owner in Florida. In conclusion, there is no need to second-guess your decision to retain the services of a skilled Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer. This is because we guarantee that someone at Merricks Law Group, P.A. will know how to guide you through every step.
