Florida law holds dog owners responsible for bites even without a history of aggression, which is why case details matter from day one. Florida has strict liability laws for this; a firm reviewing a claimant’s medical records, ownership information, and insurance coverage can determine what a dog bites case may be worth.
The U.S. Postal Service reported 210 dog bite incidents against Florida mail carriers in 2024, ranking eighth highest among all states and up from 193 in 2023. That trend mirrors what plays out across many Broward County neighborhoods each year. Our Broward County dog bites lawyers help injured people pursue compensation after a dog attack causes personal injury, scarring, or lasting trauma.
Florida Statute 767.04 holds dog owners liable for bite injuries that happen in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property. This applies even if the dog never showed aggression before. For example, an Amazon employee bitten while delivering a package on a porch would generally have a valid claim if they were lawfully present at the time.
Dog bites often become serious because puncture wounds can trap bacteria deep in tissue, and dogs’ mouths carry pathogens such as Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga. Besides that, crush force from strong jaws can damage muscle, nerves, tendons, or bone beneath the skin’s surface, hidden from view. Delayed treatment lets infection spread, sometimes causing cellulitis, abscesses, or sepsis. Bites near joints, hands, or the face carry higher risks of lasting damage.
Our Broward County dog bites lawyers typically start by reviewing medical records, animal control reports, and the dog owner’s insurance information, which is often tied to a homeowners or renters policy. The evaluation also looks at whether the injured person was lawfully present and whether provocation played any role in what happened.
Compensation in a Florida dog bite claim generally covers medical expenses, scarring or disfigurement, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A bite that causes nerve damage or permanent scarring usually results in a higher claim value than one that heals quickly without lasting effects, because ongoing treatment and long-term impact both factor into the total.
Florida law now gives an injured person two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit, under a 2023 change to Florida Statute 95.11 known as House Bill 837. Bites that happened before March 24, 2023, still fall under the old four-year deadline.
Broward County Animal Care investigates reported bites and may classify a dog as dangerous, depending on the severity of the attack and the animal’s history. Its bite reports often become useful evidence in a claim, since they also document the date, location, and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Florida’s strict liability rule does not automatically apply if the injured person was trespassing at the time of the bite. The law also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under a 50% bar, meaning a person found more than half at fault for the incident cannot recover damages at all.
Most dog bite claims get paid through a homeowners or renters insurance policy, although some insurers exclude certain breeds or charge higher premiums for dog ownership. Adjusters often try to lower a payout by disputing how serious the injury really is, which is why clear documentation from the start makes a real difference.
We recommend getting medical attention right away, even for a bite that looks minor; that creates a record linking the injury to the incident. The other first steps include reporting the bite to Broward County Animal Care and photographing the wound and location to preserve evidence that may be needed later.
Dog bites in Broward County happen in a range of everyday settings, including:
Cases tied to Broward County properties move faster when handled by someone familiar with local animal control procedures and how area insurers typically respond to these claims. That familiarity can shape how a case gets documented and how quickly it moves toward resolution if it does not settle early.
Yes, Florida’s strict liability law generally allows an injured person to pursue compensation if they were lawfully present at the property when the bite occurred.
Not automatically, since Broward County Animal Care weighs the severity of the incident and the dog’s history before making that decision.
An injured person may still pursue compensation directly from the dog owner’s personal assets, though the process tends to be challenging.
Serious dog bites can lead to life-changing injuries and medical complications. The Broward County dog bites lawyers at Barnett Fenton Injury Law, P.A., can offer sound legal guidance in these cases. Our experienced legal team will provide the powerful legal representation you need. Call us at 954-736-3070 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Fort Lauderdale, we serve clients across Florida.
