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If you have been attacked by a dog in Tampa Bay, you may be wondering how dog bite compensation works in Florida. You can learn about it by reading this article, or by calling our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys. Let our experience work for you.

How Dog Bite Compensation Works | Comparative Negligence

Florida follows the rules of comparative negligence, which means that, if you played a part in causing your dog bite, even accidentally, your compensation may be reduced. Suppose you were walking your dog and out comes another dog barreling from someone’s unlocked gate. You would have been a complete innocent bystander in that situation and that would not warrant any reduction in compensation. However, if you were walking into a friend’s home and accidentally stepped on the dog’s paw and it attacked you, that might cause you to be deemed partially at fault. If you were deemed 20% at fault while being awarded $1,000 for your injuries, your award would be reduced to $800. Luckily, the laws in Florida allow you to receive compensation even if you are 99% at fault. We work hard to keep you from bearing any fault at all, but it is nice to know that you won’t be barred from receiving an award unless you were the sole cause of the attack which almost never happens.

How Dog Bite Compensation Works | Liability

You may be wondering if the owner of the dog who caused injury was ultimately responsible. The answer is yes, but other people can share in that liability too. Florida law prescribes the responsibility for animal injuries to the owner of the animal. That means that the owner, either through their own means, homeowners’ insurance, or sometimes the premises of where they take their dog will have a source of recovery because of the owner’s duty to safeguard injury committed by their animal to others. We hold those owners accountable if their dogs have caused injury to others.

Were you or a loved one seriously injured by a dog in Florida and have questions about how dog bite compensation works? Contact our dedicated Tampa Bay dog bite attorneys at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys today for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation.