They may be man’s best friend. However, the fact remains: Dogs bite. When they do, it can be a serious matter. Every year, hundreds of thousands of dog bite victims need medical treatment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than a dozen of these victims will die from their dog bite injuries. Sadly, more than half of dog bite victims are children, according to the CDC. Elderly people are also susceptible to injury in dog attacks. Like the very young, older adults are less able to escape or defend themselves. Delivery men, including postal workers, also are frequent dog bite victims. Dogs bit nearly 6,000 mail carriers in 2012, the U.S. Postal Service reports. If you have been bitten by a dog in Tampa or surrounding areas in Florida, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses and any other losses you have suffered. Contact dog bite lawyer at the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.A., to learn more about your rights. We can review the facts of your situation and go over the legal options available to you. Simply call us or submit our online form to schedule a free consultation today.
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How a Tampa Dog Bite Attorney Can Help
A dog bite can cause serious injuries, including puncture wounds and cuts that require stitches, disfigurement, broken bones and dislocated joints. A dog bite victim might need surgery (including plastic surgery) and physical rehabilitation. Being attacked by a dog can also lead to psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD. The injuries suffered in a dog bite or attack can result in ongoing damage to the victim’s quality of life. A person seriously injured in a dog attack will have current and future medical expenses. The victim may also lose wages because their injuries keep them from working or from returning to the same job (this is especially true when victims are mail carriers). Florida law gives dog bite victims the right to seek monetary compensation to help them with their losses.
A dog owner in Florida is legally responsible for the harm done to anyone who is legally on their property and bitten by their dog. This applies to people on the dog owner’s property by invitation or by an implied invitation, such as postal service employees. A dog owner’s responsibility is lessened if they have posted an easily seen and read “Dangerous Dog” warning and/or the dog bite victim somehow is to blame for their injury. (However, these clauses in Florida law do not apply if the dog bite victim is younger than 6 years old. An experienced Tampa dog bite lawyer, such as those with the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, can investigate the victim’s case and file a claim to obtain compensation for their losses. Understand that a claim for a dog bite in most cases would be paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. You, as the victim of a dog bite or attack, would not be taking money out of a neighbor’s or customer’s pocket.
The Insurance Information Institute reports that the average insurance policy payment for a dog bite claim tops $29,000. But, the average cost of a hospital stay in the U.S. is more than $33,000, according to George Washington University. The bottom line: A dog bite can lead to expensive losses. If you or a family member is a victim, taking legal action is crucial. Hiring an experienced lawyer to assist you in recovering for your losses makes sound financial sense.
Once liability is established, the at-fault party and their insurance companies must compensate victims for their losses. Our attorneys may negotiate a settlement with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. When insurance companies refuse to provide a fair settlement, Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers will pursue a jury trial to help our client obtain justice.
Our Lawyers Help Dog Bite Victims in Tampa and Florida
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite injury in Tampa or surrounding areas in Florida, contact Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.A. Call our legal team or fill out our online form. We can provide a free consultation. If we take on your case, you will pay no costs or fees unless we recover money for you in a verdict or settlement.
How Can I Afford to Hire a Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer?
During an initial consultation, which is free, we will review the specifics of your accident and discuss your legal options. If we determine that we can handle your case, we will represent you on a contingent fee basis. You will not be charged for legal fees or costs unless we obtain compensation for you through a settlement or court award. At that time, the fee for our legal representation will come from a percentage of the final award.
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