Dog owners are responsible for their pets. Plain and simple. If you’re bitten by a dog, you can recover compensation from the dog’s owner. Yet, securing financial recovery is easier said than done.
A Gainesville dog bite injury lawyer from Bogin, Munns & Munns can seek compensation for your injury-related hardships, including pain and suffering. Exploring your options begins with a complimentary case review.
What Coverage Are You Entitled to?
Every dog bite victim suffers different losses. The severity of your injuries (as well as other factors) determine what constitutes a fair offer. You can recover damages for:
- Injury-related pain
- Emotional anguish
- Any fear of dogs that you develop because of the bite
- Medical costs
- Lost income or future earning power
A proper settlement or judgment should cover all bite-related losses. This means something different for each client we represent.
To consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer serving Gainesville, call 855-780-9986
You Have a Limited Time to Pursue Damages
Dog bite victims typically have two years to file an injury lawsuit. Although this may seem like ample time, negotiating with insurers takes up a lot of time. If you file your case outside of this period, the courts can dismiss your case and you may lose out on compensation.
We Can File Your Lawsuit Within the Appropriate Deadline
When you partner with our injury team serving Alachua County, you don’t have to worry about the statute of limitations. That’s because we’ll manage each of your case’s deadlines. We can also review whether any exceptions give you more or less time to act.
Gainesville Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 855-780-9986
Our Team Will Take on All of Your Case’s Legal Obligations
You can trust our law firm to:
Investigate Your Accident and Injuries
We will seek answers to basic questions, like:
- Why did your dog bite happen?
- Who allowed the dog to get close to you or your loved one?
- Did the dog have a known history of viciousness?
- What damages have resulted from your dog bite?
- What evidence of the dog bite is available?
We will gather any relevant evidence, including video footage, prior reports of a dog’s viciousness, and witness accounts. Such evidence may prove that another party acted negligently and owes you compensation.
Determine What You Can Recover
We will identify all damages resulting from your dog bite. Keep in mind that some of your damages may not yet be apparent. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains, dog bites can cause serious infections. Such infections may require significant medical care. As we review your damages, we’ll account for any future losses.
File All Case-Related Paperwork
Paperwork is a fact of lawsuits and insurance claims. Our team of attorneys and paralegals will handle all of your case-related paperwork. We’ll also manage case-related communications and other administrative duties.
Negotiate a Settlement
After filing your claim, we can negotiate a settlement that benefits both parties. This involves presenting your case’s evidence, highlighting the liable policy, and showing the cost of your damages.
Manage Your Lawsuit
We may go to trial if:
- Your losses exceed the liable policy’s limits.
- The liable party refuses to agree to a fair offer.
Going to court is very different than what’s portrayed on TV. In preparation for your lawsuit, we’ll take witness statements, file all necessary forms, and communicate with the other party’s lawyers.
In the courtroom, we will champion your rights before a judge and jury. You won’t have to worry about anything.
Click to contact our Gainesville Dog Bite Lawyers today
Dog Owners Are Responsible for Their Animals’ Conduct
When it comes to dog bites, Florida operates on a strict liability system. This means that, even if the dog had never acted aggressively before, you can still pursue damages for your losses.
Responsible parties in your case may include:
- A dog’s owner. As noted, dog owners must take reasonable precautions to keep their dogs from harming others – even if the dog is friendly.
- A government municipality. Alachua County is responsible for capturing stray or feral animals. If it doesn’t capture a known animal, and you get bitten, you can sue the organization.
- A store owner or shelter manager. Many pet stores and shelters let prospective owners play with or pet the animals. If someone is bitten by an animal on the store or shelter’s premises, the owner or manager can be held accountable.
Liability may extend to non-owners. For example, a boarding service, trainer, or veterinarian may be liable for dog bites that occur under their watch. Each dog bite case warrants careful investigation. Liability is different for each bite.
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We Will Determine How Negligence Contributed to Your Injuries
To pursue and recover damages, we must show how your accident happened. We may find that the other party acted negligently by:
- Walking an aggressive dog in a densely populated area
- Allowing a dog off-leash in a public area
- Failing to confine a dog (indoors or outdoors) when unfamiliar individuals are present
- Failing to check fencing for flaws where a dangerous dog may escape
- Entrusting an unsuitable individual to care for a dog
- Provoking the animal
We may find that other contributors caused your dog bite than those listed here.
Call Bogin, Munns & Munns for Help After Your Dog Bite in Gainesville
Everyone has the right to own a dog. Ownership, though, comes with responsibilities. If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite in Gainesville, then a dog owner may have neglected their duty of care.
Hiring a dog bite lawyer from Bogin, Munns & Munns may provide great relief. You can worry about your recovery, and we’ll take your case off your hands. Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today at (855) 686-6752 for a free consultation about your dog bite case. We don’t get paid unless we win for you.
Call or text 855-780-9986 or submit our Consultation Request form today
