West Palm Beach Dog Bite Lawyer

Are you struggling to cope with the aftermath of a dog attack or bite? If so, reach out to a dedicated dog bite lawyer in West Palm Beach to learn more about filing a civil claim against the dog’s owner.

When a dog accidentally or intentionally harms someone, the damage can be catastrophic. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, scarring, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain damage and other serious injuries are not uncommon. 

If you have suffered any of these injuries or were otherwise injured in an encounter with a dog, you can take legal action in the form of a West Palm Beach personal injury lawsuit. 

At The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, we are committed to helping accident survivors and injury victims recover the compensation they are entitled to from those responsible for their injuries. If we take on your case, your highly qualified West Palm Beach dog bite lawyer will be the advocate you need to get through this difficult time in your life.

Florida Dog Bite Laws

One of the great things about Florida is that the law is victim-friendly when it comes to personal injury cases such as dog bites. In a few other states, a dog must have previously shown a predisposition for aggression or violence in some capacity in order to hold the dog owner accountable. These states follow a law known as the one-bite rule.

But, in Florida, once a West Palm Beach dog bites or attacks another person, the dog owner is almost always responsible for the actions of their pet. This is known as strict liability. 

Here, it doesn’t matter what a dog’s temperament was prior to the attack, all that matters is that the dog owner should have had complete control of their pet, and didn’t. Had the dog owner been responsible and maintained control of their dog, the victim may not have suffered an injury

West Palm Beach Dog Owners Escaping Culpability

It is important to note that there are some instances in which a dog owner can avoid being found liable for the injuries caused by their dog. 

First, dog owner’s cannot be expected to keep their dog under control when someone is illegally on their property or committing a crime. In fact, some people own dogs specifically to protect themselves from intruders.

Dog owners will also not be held accountable for injuries their pet caused under provocation. Dogs may be friendly in many cases, but all animals can be unpredictable. If they are taunted, teased, abused, hit, kicked, yelled at, or have objects thrown at them, it is not reasonable to assume they wouldn’t react in defense.

Shared Fault in West Palm Beach Dog Bites

There are also some cases in which both parties share fault for the victim’s injuries. For example, let’s say that your child was bit by a dog after accidentally stepping on the dog’s tail. The West Palm Beach dog’s owner certainly should have had their pet under their control to avoid the bite, but the courts may also find you partially liable as you are responsible for the actions of your child.

Fortunately, sharing fault does not prevent injury victims from being awarded compensation from the other at-fault party. Florida is a comparative negligence state, so you can still seek compensation for your suffering despite contributing to your injuries. However, you can also expect that your award will reflect a deduction that correlates to your portion of fault.

In the previous example, the judge may find you to be 25 percent liable for the injuries your child sustained. Under Florida comparative fault laws, your award would then be reduced by 25 percent. If you were initially awarded $50,000, you would actually come away with $37,500

Speak with your West Palm Beach dog bite attorney to learn more about how the state’s comparative fault laws could have an impact on the compensation in your case.

Discuss Your Case with a West Palm Beach Dog Bite Attorney

Are you ready to regain control over your life after a dog bite? The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo are standing by to help you with your civil claim. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a respected West Palm Beach dog bite lawyer by calling our office at 561-659-6366 or completing the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.