Have you or a family member recently suffered a dog bite in Sarasota? It can be a traumatizing experience. The emotional shock can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and genuine fear of animals for some victims. If someone’s dog injured you, you might want to reach out to a Sarasota dog bite lawyer from GED Lawyers for legal help.
Any injury can be a terrible ordeal. We see our pets as family and understand how making a claim can impact another family. Your injuries cost you, though, and you should be compensated. The family pet could be dangerous and harm someone else even more severely in the future. It is better to address the problem head-on.
What Damages Will I Be Eligible for in a Sarasota Dog Injury Case?
Florida has a range of damages it will allow someone to collect in a personal injury case. Most personal injury cases begin by asking for the liable party to cover expenses like medical bills. If your dog bite injury costs you medical bills, you can seek reimbursement.
Florida allows economic and non-economic damages to be collected in a personal injury case. Economic damages are costs for which there is a defined value; you can usually find a receipt for it. Non-economic damages are for those costs that are harder to define the monetary loss, but still, you suffered injuries. These types of damages would include emotional trauma or pain.
You could collect some of the following damages if they apply for a dog injury case:
- Hospital bills
- Future medical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Travel for medical visits
- Pain and suffering
- Prescriptions
- Emotional trauma
- PTSD
- Therapy
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disability
Steps if You Were Bitten or Attacked by a Dog in Sarasota
If you or your family member suffered a dog bite, there are steps you can take to ensure you can collect damages. First, you want to get medical care as quickly as possible. Your health is the priority. It is a plus if you have a family member, friend, or relative who can help with these steps.
Call 911 and Make a Dog Bite Report
It is essential to report the dog. You want to be sure that your neighborhood is safe. Suppose this is a one-time incident, fine. However, if the dog has injured you—what are the chances it could do so again?
Making the report puts the dog on record. If the dog continues to show a pattern of aggression, it may be deemed a dangerous animal. The idea is to prevent someone else from getting hurt.
Collect Evidence
If possible, get the contact information from the dog owner. Be sure to inquire about the dog’s vaccination status. Take pictures of the animal and your wounds. If your injuries are severe, a friend or relative can help you. Take notice if there are any witnesses and get their contact details.
Seek Medical Assistance
Has the dog been vaccinated for rabies? Though you are positive the dog is vaccinated, dog saliva can carry many infectious germs. You must go to seek medical attention immediately. Cleaning your wound correctly will be necessary for healing and ensuring you don’t get an infection.
Without knowledge of the animal’s vaccination status, or if the dog ran off before you could find out, you might have to be immunized. These are medical issues to talk over with your treating physician.
Records and Receipts
It is good advice to keep a folder with all records and receipts. Good record-keeping can go far in getting all your medical costs covered in an injury case. All costs of treatment, prescriptions, and even your travel costs should be compensated. You must prove these amounts, and to do that, you will need receipts.
Florida Law and Dangerous Dogs
According to Florida Statutes § 767.01, owners of dogs are liable for any damage done by their animals. This liability to cover damage includes both property and persons. The state is serious about owners taking responsibility for their pets.
“Bad Dog” or “Beware of Dog” Signs Are a Warning
Florida Statutes § 767.04 discusses the dog owner’s liability. The dog’s owner is accountable for any injuries caused by the dog. However, this can be reduced if the person bitten showed negligence toward the dog, like mistreatment, teasing, or other negative behaviors.
Owners are also allowed to post “Bad Dog” or “Beware of Dog” signs to warn of the dangers of the dog, and then their liability is reduced. This rule does not apply to anyone under six years of age, however.
Sarasota County Regulations
Sarasota County has posted county ordinances covering pets. Dogs and cats are listed as needing to always be on your property or on a leash. Pets do make noise, but incessant barking left unattended is also prohibited.
Where Can I Get Help with My Sarasota County Dog Injury Case?
If you are facing bills from a dog bite that happened to you or a family member, you could get help filing your claim. We understand this is a sensitive matter for many families and communities. Communities must be protected from dangerous animals, and you deserve compensation for your losses. Contact GED Lawyers today for legal support.
Let us help you sort out your dog injury claim; call our office today. A Sarasota dog bite lawyer can help discover liability and determine the facts of your case. They can also find out if this was a one-time mistake or if the animal has a history of biting others. If the animal is dangerous, the neighborhood must be protected.
