The potential damages after a dog bite or attack will depend on the circumstances leading up to the event and the severity of the injuries. To collect a settlement successfully, you must prove the dog owner’s actions make them liable for your damages and losses.
While the state takes dangerous dogs with a history of aggressive behavior seriously, they also hold pet owners responsible for damages when the pet has never bitten anyone. A settlement for damages could pay for your medical care, lost salary, and other damages, depending on the severity of the case. Schedule a meeting with a skilled attorney experienced with damages in Clermont dog bite cases to review your options.
Recoverable Damages
State civil code follows a strict liability rule for dog bites, and pet owners are responsible for paying the damages anyone sustains in an attack. That means anyone in public or those who lawfully enter private property. An owner is also responsible for covering the damage their dogs cause to other people’s pets. Some of the recoverable damages include:
- Mental distress and anguish, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders
- Pain and suffering
- Lost pay, benefits, and future earning potential
- All medical costs related to the cause of action
- Loss of the enjoyment of life and doing the things they enjoyed doing before the incident occurred
- Medical equipment, devices, prescriptions, ongoing physical and psychological therapy, rehabilitation, and expenses to travel to doctor’s appointments
A Clermont attorney seasoned with recovering damages in dog bite injury cases could investigate to collect the essential evidence needed to establish fault and collect the maximum award amount.
Shared Liability in Dog Attack Cases
In some cases, the court may find the defendant is responsible for the damages, but the plaintiff also shares part of the liability. Under the rules of the Florida Statutes § 768.31, the civil court follows a comparative negligence rule for cases with shared liability.
That means if the plaintiff is under 50 percent liable for the damages, they can collect compensation from the defendant for their responsibility. However, if the civil court determines the petitioner is 51 percent at fault, it will bar them from recovering a settlement to cover their damages and losses. A lawyer experienced with damages in dog bite injury cases in Clermont could answer specific questions about compensation and the process during the consultation.
Criminal Liability
There is also the potential for dog owners to face criminal liability, depending on how the event occurred. If the dog bite leads to the death of someone, the state could charge them with manslaughter. While it could happen even if the dog does not have a history of aggression, if there is evidence the dog attacked others in the past, the likelihood of criminal charges increases.
Call a Practiced Attorney About Damages in Dog Bite Cases in Clermont
If you or someone you love sustained bodily harm and other losses from a dog bite, then you have the right to seek legal action. An award for damages could cover your out-of-pocket expenses and other damages, such as psychological distress, pain, and suffering.
While a lawsuit to recover your losses will not change what happened, it will pay for the damages you sustained and allow you to hold the negligent pet owner financially and legally responsible. Schedule a meeting with a compassionate lawyer who understands damages in Clermont dog bite cases for more information and help with your case.