Boca Raton Dog Bite Accidents: Legal Facts and Figures
Dog bite accidents can have physical, emotional and financial impact on victims. In Boca Raton, Florida they are common and victims are left with medical bills, psychological trauma and legal headaches. At Keller Swan we help dog bite victims navigate the personal injury system and get paid.
This article covers personal injury laws for dog bite accidents, statistics and a notable case in Boca Raton, Florida. Whether you are a victim or just want to know about dog bite liability this article is for you.
Personal Injury for Dog Bite Accidents in Boca Raton, Florida
Understanding the laws surrounding dog bites is key to getting justice and compensation. Florida has specific dog bite laws and general personal injury laws that apply.
Florida Dog Bite Laws
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites making it one of the best states for dog bite victims to get paid.
- Strict Liability: Under Florida Statutes §767.04 dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dogs regardless if the dog had a history of biting or if the owner was negligent. You don’t have to prove the dog had a history of biting or the owner was negligent.
- Location of the Attack: Dog owners are responsible for attacks that occur in public spaces or when the victim is lawfully on private property. If a person is bitten while legally visiting someone’s home the dog owner is still liable for the injuries.
- Defenses: While Florida law is strict on dog bite liability dog owners do have some defenses. Owners can argue the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog. But proving these defenses is hard and requires a lot of evidence.
General Personal Injury
In addition to strict liability victims of dog bites can also rely on general negligence principles in some cases. If the dog owner failed to take reasonable precautions (e.g. not properly restraining their dog in a yard or on a walk) they could be found negligent.
- Comparative Fault: Florida is a comparative fault state. This means if the victim contributed to the dog attack (e.g. provoked the dog) their damages could be reduced by their percentage of fault. But comparative fault doesn’t bar recovery entirely unless the victim is more than 50% responsible for the incident.
Filing a Dog Bite Claim
After a dog bite you should take immediate action to protect your legal rights:
- Get Medical Attention: Treating dog bite injuries right away is key. Some bites can cause infections, nerve damage or disfigurement that requires specialized medical care.
- Document the Incident: Take pictures of the injuries, the location of the attack and the dog if possible. Get the dog owner’s contact information and any witnesses.
- Report the Incident to Animal Control: Notify local authorities (animal control) to document the incident. This report will be important for your case.
- Call a Lawyer: A lawyer can guide you through the process, make sure you meet all the filing deadlines and deal with the insurance companies.
Dog Bite Statute of Limitations
Florida has a 4 year statute of limitations for dog bite claims. If you don’t file within that time frame you can lose your right to sue.
Dog Bite Accidents in Boca Raton, Florida (2023)
Dog bites are a public safety issue in Boca Raton. Here are some recent statistics to help raise awareness and show the need for legal relief for victims.
Total Incidents
In 2023 Boca Raton had 35 dog bite incidents. These ranged from minor that required basic medical attention to serious that required extensive treatment, reconstructive surgery or long term rehabilitation.
Types of Injuries and Severity
The severity of dog bite injuries can vary greatly depending on the size of the dog, location of the bite and circumstances of the attack. Here is the breakdown from Boca Raton’s 2023 reports:
- Minor: 40% of the incidents were minor, cuts, bruises, scratches. Immediate medical attention but limited treatment.
- Serious: 45% of the incidents were serious, deep lacerations, puncture wounds, infections. Many required stitches, surgery or hospitalization.
- Fatalities: There were no fatalities in Boca Raton in 2023 but serious injuries can have life changing consequences for victims, disfigurement, scarring, psychological trauma.
Victim Demographics
The data also shows that 60% of dog bite victims in Boca Raton were children. Children are more susceptible to dog bites because of their size and unpredictability around animals. Other victims were adult pedestrians, delivery workers and joggers.
The breeds involved in these incidents were mixed breeds, pit bulls and German shepherds. Note that any breed of dog can bite and no breed is inherently aggressive.
Personal Injury Case in Boca Raton
One of the most notable dog bite cases in Boca Raton in the last 10 years was a young child who was bitten by a neighbor’s dog. This case shows the importance of holding dog owners responsible and strict liability in Florida’s dog bite laws.
Case: Dog Bite Lawsuit
Summary:
A 5 year old child was playing in a neighbor’s yard. The neighbor’s dog, which had a history of aggression, attacked the child without provocation and caused multiple deep lacerations on the child’s face, arms and legs. The child required multiple surgeries including reconstructive surgery and long term psychological trauma.
Legal:
The family sued the dog owner under Florida’s strict liability statute. They claimed the dog owner knew of the dog’s aggression and did not take reasonable precautions to prevent the attack.
Result:
Case settled for $1.5 million which covered medical expenses, pain and suffering and long term psychological care. This case shows the importance of having the right lawyer to get fair compensation for dog bite victims.
Legal Result and Takeaway
This case shows the importance of Florida’s strict liability laws which holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. It also highlights the need to secure pets especially when children are around.
Why Choose Keller Swan for Your Dog Bite?
Legal Experience
Our lawyers have years of experience with Florida dog bite laws and have settled many cases for victims to address their immediate medical needs and long term care. We know the emotional devastation of dog bite injuries and will hold the responsible parties accountable.
Client Focused
We put our clients first, work closely with them to understand the full extent of the injury on their lives. We handle everything from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies so our clients can focus on healing.
Dog Bite Results
Keller Swan has a history of settling and trying dog bite cases for significant money. We strive for the best result in every case we handle.
Dog Bite Accidents in Boca Raton
Dog bite accidents can happen from many circumstances, most of which can be prevented with responsible pet ownership.
Unsupervised Interaction
Many dog bites occur when children or adults interact with dogs unsupervised. Even friendly dogs can react to sudden movements, loud noises or unfamiliar faces.
No Proper Restraint
When dogs are not restrained—on a leash or in a secure yard—they can become territorial or react to passersby. Proper fencing and leashing can prevent many dog bite incidents.
Provoked Behavior
Some dog bites occur when a dog feels threatened or provoked even unintentionally. Children in particular can unknowingly provoke dogs by pulling their tails or trying to take food or toys.
Inadequate Training and Socialization
Dogs not properly socialized or trained can exhibit fear based aggression. Regular training and socialization with other animals and people can reduce the risk of aggression.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, do these to protect your health and legal rights:
Get Medical Help
Even if the bite seems minor get medical attention right away to prevent infection and address any underlying injuries. In some cases untreated dog bites can lead to serious complications like rabies or tetanus.
Document the Incident
Take pictures of your injuries, the scene of the attack and the dog if possible. Get the dog owner’s name and contact information and any witnesses who were present at the time of the incident.
Report to Animal Control
Notify local animal control to document the incident. In some cases the dog may need to be quarantined to make sure it’s not carrying diseases like rabies.
Call an Attorney
A dog bite lawyer at Keller Swan can help you understand your rights and walk you through the process of filing a claim. We will make sure you get the money you deserve for medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.
File a Claim
Work with your attorney to file a personal injury claim against the dog owner. Many dog bite claims are settled through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.
Get Paid
Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get a fair settlement. If a reasonable settlement can’t be reached your attorney may take the case to court to get you paid.
Call Keller Swan Now
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Boca Raton, Florida, contact Keller Swan Injury Attorneys today. We will get you the best result.
What Keller Swan Can Do For You
We offer dog bite victims:
- Free consultations to talk about your case and your options.
- Investigation of the incident including gathering evidence and witness statements.
- Negotiation with insurance companies to get a fair settlement.
- Aggressive representation in court if necessary to fight for you.
Contact
Contact Keller Swan today to schedule a free consultation and get started.
End
Dog bites in Boca Raton, Florida can be brutal physically, emotionally and financially. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you need to understand your rights and get the right representation. Keller Swan can help. Call today to find out how we can help with your dog bite.