Trusted dog bite attorneys with over 10 years of experience.
The Andres Lopez Law Firm has represented dog bite victims across Broward County for more than a decade. Our Parkland, FL dog bite lawyer understands how Florida’s strict liability statute works and uses it to pursue full compensation for our clients. We speak Spanish and offer free consultations.
Dog Bite Lawyer Parkland, FL
How does Florida law treat dog bite claims, and what does that mean for your case?
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites, which gives victims a significant legal advantage. Under Florida Statute § 767.04, a dog owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or shown any aggressive behavior. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to show that the dog bit you while you were lawfully present in a public or private place. This removes one of the biggest hurdles injury victims face in other negligence cases, because you do not have to prove the owner was careless in the traditional sense. The dog bit you, you had a right to be where you were, and the owner is liable.
The insurance claim process is where things get complicated. Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Some policies exclude coverage for certain breeds entirely, while others have sub-limits that cap dog bite payouts at amounts far below the policy’s general liability limit. A dog bite attorney in Parkland, FL identifies which policies apply, challenges breed-based exclusions when possible, and pursues every available source of compensation when the homeowner’s policy is insufficient to cover the full extent of the damages.
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Parkland
Dog attacks happen in many circumstances. Our firm handles the following types of claims for Parkland residents.
- Bites to children. Children are bitten more frequently and more severely than adults, often in the face, neck, and head. The “Bad Dog” sign defense does not apply when the victim is under six.
- Attacks in public places. Parks, sidewalks, and common areas in Parkland neighborhoods are places where unleashed or poorly controlled dogs attack without warning. These are all places where a dog bite case can happen.
- Bites on the owner’s property. If you were lawfully on someone’s property as a guest, mail carrier, delivery driver, or service worker, the owner is liable. It is important to talk with a lawyer in this situation to understand your options.
- Bicycle accidents. An unleashed dog that runs into a cyclist’s path can cause a serious crash, and under Fla. Stat. § 767.01, owners are liable for any damage their dogs cause. This is a lesser known dog bite accident, but it is one that happens.
- Multiple-dog attacks. When two or more dogs attack simultaneously, the injuries are often catastrophic, and each dog owner may share liability.
- Attacks by dogs with a known history. Florida’s dangerous dog classification imposes heightened obligations on owners of previously declared dangerous dogs.
- Scarring and disfigurement cases. Dog bites leave lasting marks that sometimes require multiple rounds of reconstructive surgery.
- Insurance denial disputes. Some homeowner’s policies exclude certain breeds, and when an insurer denies a claim based on a breed exclusion, we investigate other coverage options.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Dog Bite Cases in Parkland, FL?
Using Florida’s Strict Liability Law to Hold Owners Accountable
Florida’s strict liability framework gives dog bite victims a strong legal foundation, but insurers still look for ways to reduce or deny the claim. They argue provocation, trespassing, or that the injuries are exaggerated. Experienced representation makes the difference between a lowball offer and full compensation.
Andres Lopez founded The Andres Lopez Law Firm and has practiced personal injury law in Florida since 2009. He earned his degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and is admitted in Florida, Maryland, the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a Million Dollar Advocates Forum inductee and was named a Florida Rising Star in 2015 and 2016.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. We handle dog bite cases on contingency. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Parkland, FL, contact us for a free evaluation of your dog bite claim.
Understanding Dog Bite Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite injuries range from superficial punctures to deep tissue damage requiring surgery. Compensation in a Parkland dog bite case may include emergency treatment, wound care, antibiotics, and surgical procedures; reconstructive surgery for scarring and disfigurement; physical therapy; psychological treatment for PTSD, anxiety, or phobias; lost wages; and pain and suffering. The emotional and psychological damage from a dog attack is often as significant as the physical injuries, particularly for children, who may develop lasting fear of animals that interferes with outdoor activities, visits to friends’ homes, and other normal parts of childhood. Adults bitten in the face or hands often experience self-consciousness and functional limitations that affect both their personal lives and their careers.
Florida’s strict liability under § 767.04 makes the owner responsible regardless of the dog’s history. The main defenses are provocation, trespassing, and a prominently posted “Bad Dog” sign, though the sign defense does not apply for victims under six. Comparative negligence under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 may reduce the owner’s liability if the victim’s own actions contributed, and recovery is barred if the victim is more than 50 percent at fault.
Important Aspects in Your Dog Bite Case
Taking the right steps after a bite protects your health and strengthens your claim. Seek immediate medical attention because dog bites carry serious infection risk. Report the bite to Broward County Animal Care or local animal control, because an official report creates a documented record. Photograph your injuries, the dog if you can do so safely, and the location. Obtain the dog owner’s contact information and any witness details. Do not negotiate directly with the owner or their insurer before speaking with an attorney. The quarantine process that follows a reported bite also produces records that may serve as evidence.
Dog Bite Case Timeline
Dog bite cases often resolve faster than vehicle accident claims, but the timeline depends on injury severity and insurer cooperation. Immediately after the bite, medical treatment and the animal control report are priorities. Within weeks, your attorney gathers records and documentation. Once treatment is complete or the long-term prognosis is clear, a demand is sent. If the insurer undervalues or denies the claim, we file a lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations. Cases that involve scarring or disfigurement may require waiting until the scarring has fully matured before the damages can be accurately calculated, because the final appearance and any functional limitations from scar tissue take time to stabilize. Multiple rounds of reconstructive surgery can extend the treatment period and delay the demand accordingly.
What to Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation
Bring the animal control or police report, photographs of injuries and the attack location, medical records and bills, the dog owner’s information and homeowner’s insurance details if available, and witness contact details. If the dog that attacked you has been declared dangerous by the county or has previously bitten someone else, any documentation of that history will strengthen your case significantly. Consultations are free with no obligation.
Florida Legal Resources for Dog Bite Cases
Florida has specific laws addressing dog owner liability.
- Florida Statute § 767.04 establishes strict liability for dog bite injuries
- Florida Statute § 767.12 governs dangerous dog classifications
- The CDC provides data on bite frequency and risk factors
- Broward County Animal Care handles bite reports and quarantine procedures
- The Florida Legislature provides access to the full text of Chapter 767
Reach Out to The Andres Lopez Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
A dog bite can leave lasting physical and emotional scars, and the financial burden should not fall on the victim when the owner is liable under the law. If you or a family member was attacked by a dog in Parkland, FL, The Andres Lopez Law Firm will review your case at no cost. Contact our office to speak with a Parkland dog bite attorney who will fight for the compensation you deserve.