You were taking a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood in New Tampa, FL, when you were suddenly and viciously attacked by a dog. After being rushed to the hospital, you find out that you have serious injuries that will require extensive medical treatment. And to top it all off, the dog’s owner has no liability insurance. What are your rights?
In Florida, There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Pet Attacks
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question unfortunately. Your best course of action will likely depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your personal injury case. For example, if the dog’s owner was a renter in New Tampa, FL, then you may be able to sue the landlord for negligence in allowing a dangerous animal on the property. Or if the dog had a history of aggression, you may be able to hold the owner strictly liable for your injuries.
Even if You Are Partially at Fault, You May Still Be Entitled to Compensation
In Florida, even if you are partially at fault for the incident causing your personal injury, you may still be entitled to compensation under what is known as the comparative negligence doctrine. This doctrine allows an injured plaintiff to recover damages even if he or she was partially at fault so long as his or her fault is not greater than the defendant’s. So, even if a jury finds that you were 20% at fault for the incident, you can still recover 80% of your damages from the dog’s owner. Even just reading the basics of the comparative negligence doctrine can be overwhelming and confusing, so we come to our final and most important point: hire a lawyer.
You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer on Your Side
This is not a situation that you want to handle on your own. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to investigate your New Tampa, FL, case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim for damages. The attorneys at Bullock Law Group have successfully represented many personal injury victims of pet attacks and we would be honored to do the same for you.
If you have been attacked by someone else’s pet in New Tampa, FL, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. The experienced New Tampa, FL personal injury lawyers at Bullock Law Group can help you navigate this complex area of law and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.