Coral Springs Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite lawyers serving Coral Springs, FL and the surrounding area with over 10 years of personal injury experience.

If a dog has attacked you or someone you love in Coral Springs, you may be dealing with painful injuries and unexpected medical bills. Our Coral Springs, FL personal injury lawyer has been handling injury claims for more than a decade. We take on dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. At the Andres Lopez Law Firm, Founder Andres Lopez is prepared to get you maximum compensation for how the dog bite attack affected your health and finances. Contact us today for a consultation.

Dog Bite Attorney Coral Springs, FL

What does a dog bite attorney in Coral Springs do for you? Florida is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means the dog’s owner can be held responsible for injuries their animal causes, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and the owner had no prior reason to believe it was dangerous. You do not need to prove the owner was careless in the general sense.

What you do need is provide documentation, a clear accounting of your damages, and someone who understands how insurers evaluate and dispute these claims. A Coral Springs dog bite lawyer helps you build that case from the ground up.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Coral Springs

Dog attacks take many forms, and the legal issues can vary depending on where the incident happened, who owned the animal, and what injuries resulted. We handle a wide range of situations involving dog-related injuries throughout Coral Springs, FL.

• Dog bites and attacks. The most direct scenario is that a dog lunges, bites, and causes puncture wounds, lacerations, or worse. These claims typically involve homeowners or renters insurance and require thorough documentation of the bite, the animal’s history, and the treatment you received.
• Knockdown injuries. Dogs don’t have to bite to cause serious harm. A large dog jumping on or charging a person, particularly a child or an elderly adult, can cause fractures, head injuries, and soft tissue damage. Florida’s strict liability statute applies to these incidents when the dog’s behavior was the direct cause.
• Bicycle accidents. A dog running into the road or chasing a cyclist can cause a serious crash. These cases involve both dog bite law and general negligence principles, and the injuries are often significant.
• Child injuries. Children are disproportionately represented in dog bite statistics, and their injuries are often more severe relative to their size. Facial bites, nerve damage, and lasting psychological trauma are real concerns we take seriously in these cases.
• Injuries on someone else’s property. If you were bitten while visiting a neighbor, at an apartment complex, or on commercial property, liability questions can become more layered. Landlords and property managers may bear some responsibility depending on the circumstances.
• Wrongful death. Severe maulings, while uncommon, can be fatal. This is particularly true for young children or elderly individuals. When a dog attack results in death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the animal’s owner.
• Infections and complications. A bite wound that doesn’t receive proper care can become infected, leading to sepsis, nerve damage, or permanent scarring. Complications from a bite that appeared minor at first can turn into serious, expensive medical situations, and those damages are recoverable.

Why Choose Andres Lopez Law Firm for Dog Bite Cases in Coral Springs, FL?

Focused Personal Injury Experience in Broward County

Attorney Andres Lopez has been practicing personal injury law in Florida since 2009. He handles dog bite claims under Florida’s strict liability framework and understands how insurers approach these cases, what they look for, what they dispute, and where they try to minimize payouts. Our personal injury lawyer in Coral Springs, FL handles a range of injuries, and brings that broader context to every dog bite claim.

Attorney Lopez is a Million Dollar Advocates Forum inductee and was recognized as a Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2015 and 2016. He is licensed in both Florida and Maryland and is admitted to practice in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the District Court of Maryland.

Proven Results for Injury Clients

Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury, slip and fall, wrongful death, and other matters. Results vary by case, but our track record reflects a consistent commitment to pursuing the full value of every claim, and not the quickest settlement the insurance company can get away with offering. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Understanding Dog Bite Cases in Coral Springs

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Dog Bite Cases

Florida statutes establish strict liability for dog owners whose animals bite someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. This is meaningful because you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The fact that the bite happened in combination with your lawful presence, is typically enough to establish liability. Compensation in a Coral Springs dog bite case can include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, wound treatment, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and more.
• Lost wages: Income you missed while you were injured or recovering.
• Future medical costs: Reconstructive surgery, scar revision, and ongoing treatment for nerve damage.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the emotional weight of the attack
• Psychological harm: Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of dogs following a serious attack, particularly in children.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement: Especially in facial bite cases

There is one important nuance under Florida law. If the injured person was trespassing or if the owner posted a clearly visible dog warning sign, those factors can limit or eliminate the owner’s liability. An attorney can help you understand whether any such defenses apply to your situation.

Important Aspects of a Dog Bite Case

The strength of a dog bite claim often comes down to documentation and timing. Here are a few things that tend to matter the most:

• Getting medical care right away establishes a clear connection. Gaps or delays in receiving treatment can cause insurers to argue that your injuries were not serious.
• Identification of the dog and owner. Animal control reports create an official record and can document the dog’s history.
• Witness information. Anyone who saw the attack or its immediate aftermath may be important later, as they can provide a statement on what they saw.
• Preservation of clothing and personal property. Torn clothing or damaged items can support your account of how the attack occurred.
• Florida’s animal control reporting. This may require a rabies quarantine period for the animal, which creates an additional official record tied to the incident.

Dog Bite Case Timeline

Every case is different, as the victim, animal, and factors involved can vary greatly. But here is a general sense of how dog bite cases tend to progress forward:

• Immediately after the attack. Seek medical care, report to animal control, and document the scene and your injuries.
• Investigation and demand phase. Your attorney gathers records, medical documentation, and other evidence. Then a demand is submitted to the at-fault party’s insurer.
• Negotiation. The insurer responds, often with a lower figure. We can counter any low offers and negotiate toward a fair resolution.
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary. If the insurer will not offer reasonable compensation, your attorney files suit. The steps of discovery, depositions, and further negotiation follow.
• Resolution. Most cases resolve through settlement before trial, but we prepare every case as if it may go before a jury.

What to Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation

A free consultation goes further when you come prepared, but you don’t need everything to have a helpful appointment. If you have any of the following, we suggest bringing them with you:

• Any photographs of your injuries or the location where the attack occurred.
• Medical records, bills, or a summary of the treatment you’ve received so far.
• The dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information if you have it.
• An animal control or police report, if one was filed.
• Contact information for any witnesses.

Florida Legal Resources for Dog Bite Cases

Florida law provides a clear framework for dog bite claims. Below are some starting points for understanding the statutes that apply:

• Florida Statute § 768.72: Punitive damages are available in dog bite cases only where the plaintiff can prove the defendant was guilty of intentional misconduct or gross negligence so reckless that it constituted conscious disregard or indifference to the victim’s safety.
• Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a): Dog bite claims based on negligence are subject to the two-year statute of limitations under § 95.11 for causes of action accruing after March 24, 2023, reduced from four years by HB 837.
• Florida Statute § 768.19: Wrongful death damages are recoverable under the Florida Wrongful Death Act if a dog bite results in death. This statute establishes who may bring a wrongful death action and on whose behalf.

Reach Out to Andres Lopez Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If a dog has bitten or attacked you in Coral Springs, FL, you have rights under Florida law. At the Andres Lopez Law Firm, we handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation.