Being bitten by a dog is not only a scary experience but one that can cause lasting damage. Dog bites can injure muscles, bones, and nerves, causing infection and, in rare cases, death. These cases are a fairly common occurrence, with almost 18,000 insurance claims for dog bites being filed in the United States in 2021, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
If a dog in Panama City bit you, then the dog’s owner is liable and therefore responsible for any costs you incurred because of the bite. The legal team at GED Lawyers wants to help you receive the compensation you are due, either through an insurance settlement or court award. You can learn more about your legal options and how our Panama City dog bite lawyer can help during a free consultation today.
We Have a Long History of Helping Florida’s Personal Injury Victims
GED Lawyers represents victims of just about any kind of personal injury you can imagine. While everyone’s circumstances are different, we feel that the scope of the cases we’ve seen has prepared us for anything. We have offices across Florida, including an office in Panama City, making it easy and convenient for you to come into the office to discuss your case. Our family-owned firm understands the toll an injury can take on people and their families. Our goal is to give you the best representation while we seek financial recovery on your behalf.
Our Compassion and Communication Set Us Apart
We pride ourselves on being the most compassionate attorneys we can be. We understand that no one ever wants to file a personal injury case, dog bite or otherwise. It’s most likely a necessity so that you can pay for medical care. We also realize that being bitten by a dog may have been a frightening, even traumatizing experience that potentially involves a lengthy recovery. We make sure our clients know we care about them and that we want them to focus on recovering while we handle their cases.
What Does It Mean to Be Liable in a Dog Bite Accident in Panama City?
As mentioned previously, the owner of the dog that bites someone is liable for the accident. This means they are responsible for paying the costs of your accident. If you’ve had doctors’ appointments, a trip to the hospital, prescription medication, or other costs because of your accident, then it is the owner’s responsibility to pay.
Recoverable damages in a dog bite case typically are:
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation care
- Loss of income and work benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage, property loss
- Therapy, mental health counseling costs
- Other dog bite-related expenses
In some cases, you may be able to pursue compensation for non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering. If you have scars, disfigurement, or a lasting disability, you could request compensation from the liable party for these damages.
How Our Panama City Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help Your Case
If you are recovering from an injury, you likely will find it challenging to manage a legal case while doing so. Our Panama City attorney can lead your dog bite case for damages while you focus on healing. We can investigate the incident, collect evidence, negotiate with the liable party’s insurer for your financial award, and seek recovery in court if we can’t reach an out-of-court settlement for you.
Will a Dog in a Panama City dog bite accident Be Put Down?
More than likely, you want to receive compensation for your dog bite, but you may not want anything to happen to the dog. However, while no one wants a dog to be put down, it can happen in certain circumstances. “Dangerous dogs” are those that have had similar incidents in the past and whose owners still have not taken the proper precautions.
According to Florida Statutes § 767.13, a dog classified as dangerous that bites a person or other domestic animal will be confiscated and detained for 10 days. During this period, the owner can appeal their case, but if not, the dog will be humanely put down after this time.
If this is a concern of yours that is preventing you from filing a case, we can review it at your free case consultation.
Exemptions From Florida Dog Bite Laws
There are few exceptions to the law, and even in these circumstances, the dog’s owner is not exempt from being liable for the accident. The exemptions in the law refer to whether the dog must be confiscated or quarantined if they bite someone. Exemptions include police dogs and service dogs. Owners of these dogs are not exempt from being liable for dog bites, so it is possible to file a suit against them.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in Florida
If you wish to file a lawsuit to recover damages in a Panama City dog bite case, you have a limited time to do so. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have four years to file your case before the statute of limitations runs out. If your miss this deadline, you risk losing your opportunity to recover damages from the liable party.
GED Lawyers’ North Florida dog bite attorney will ensure you file your case on time. We don’t want you to worry about any aspect of your legal matter while you’re concentrating on feeling better.
Call Us for a Free Case Review After a Dog Bite Injury in Panama City
Call GED Lawyers today for a risk-free case evaluation for a dog bite incident in Panama City. You deserve compensation that can help you cover the costs of this unfortunate situation and get on with your life.
We can work on your case on contingency, which means we can start working for you with no upfront costs or fees to get started. Reach out to us today.
