Dog Bites

An increasing number of people have been injured by dog bites recently. The dog’s owner and/or the property owner may have been responsible for permitting the dog to be in harm’s way with you or your loved one.

In most dog bite cases, there is a person who can be held responsible.  That person is usually the owner, but can sometimes be the dog’s primary caregiver.

Most dog bite victims are young children and elderly people. They usually require immediate medical attention and subsequent plastic surgery.

Factors to consider in dog bite cases

• Where was the dog contained and was it in a secured area?
  The owner is legally responsible for posting warning signs and keeping gates fastened.
• Has the dog bitten anyone before?
  If so, studies show it will be more likely to bite again.
• Did the dog escape from its owner’s property or was the property itself not properly secure?
  A dog owner or caregiver found to be negligent in securing the dog away from the public will be liable for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages etc. if someone is badly bitten.  Filing a lawsuit against an owner may help prevent others from being bitten later on.

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog anywhere in the Florida area, please contact us today for a free consultation.  It’s important to document the injuries as soon as possible.  At the law firm of Ellis, Ged and Bodden PA, we have investigators who’ll evaluate the conditions under which the dog bite occurred, and help determine who was at fault.