Florida law states that “the owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” This means that even if the dog has never displayed any type of aggression in the past, the owner of the dog is still responsible for injuries if the dog attacks a person. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, LMK Legal is here to help. Contact our experienced miami dog bite lawyer today to discuss your case and pursue the compensation you deserve.
However, there are a few exceptions to this law. For example, if the person who is bitten does anything that can be characterized as provoking the dog, such as taunting or rough-housing, those actions can be taken into account when determining the percentage of fault that lies with the dog owner AND the victim. In cases involving dog bites on someone else’s property, premises liability laws may also come into play, affecting the determination of fault and compensation.
Florida law also states that a dog owner in Miami will not be liable for injuries to others occurring on the owner’s own property if the owner has posted a sign prominently placed on his or her property reading “Bad Dog.” However, this exception does not apply to children under the age of six years. Some case law in Florida allows for compensation to individuals injured while trying to flee from a dog chasing or attempting to attack them.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Miami dog bite lawyer. We are here to help you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.