Were you injured by a dog in Clearwater, Florida? Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Contact us at (727) 493-4418 now to schedule a free consultation with a Clearwater dog bite lawyer who’s ready to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Dog bite injuries can leave lasting physical and emotional trauma. If someone else’s dog attacked you, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain, and suffering. Let our Clearwater personal injury team review your legal options and guide you through the next steps.
Why Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Should Be Your First Choice for Legal Help After a Dog Bite in Clearwater
If you were bitten by a dog in Clearwater, FL, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to stand by your side. Here’s what sets our firm apart when it comes to helping injury victims recover what they deserve:
- Our attorneys bring over 119 years of combined experience in personal injury law, giving clients access to seasoned legal insight and strategy.
- Since our opening, we’ve secured tens of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients and their families.
- Our firm has the financial resources and legal knowledge to level the playing field against powerful insurance companies.
- We’ve earned recognition from trusted organizations, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and listings on Expertise.com.
- Our reputation as “The Aggressive Attorneys” reflects our commitment to fighting tirelessly for every client.
- Nearly 500 satisfied clients have left Google reviews praising our results and dedication.
- We handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the dog bite to dealing with insurers and consulting experts—so you can focus on healing.
If you need help, call today to schedule your free consultation with a Clearwater personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Florida?
45% of all American homes have at least one dog. It’s not entirely surprising that millions of people are bitten by dogs each year. After all, dogs–even as trained pets–are animals and can be unpredictable.
In 2024, Florida had the second-highest number of dog bite injury claims in the nation. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1,821 dog bite victims filed claims with insurance that year. The insurance companies paid roughly $101.4 million to settle those claims.
What Is the Value of My Clearwater Dog Bite Case?
The value of any personal injury claim hinges heavily on the following issues:
- How severe are your injuries?
- Will you suffer any long-term or permanent damage?
- How much have you spent on medical treatment?
- How much pain and suffering have you endured?
- How have your earnings been impacted?
- How has your mental health suffered?
- What are your expected future costs and needs?
- Did you do anything to contribute to your own injuries?
It’s important to know what you’re getting into. Many injury victims hesitate to take legal action because they aren’t sure if it’s worth it. Without understanding your case value, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll receive the full amount you deserve.
During your free case review, our lawyers can give you a better sense of your case value. Once you hire us, you can trust that we’ll do everything possible to get the full amount you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Clearwater?
Our lawyers will consider all economic damages and non-economic damages you’ve suffered as we’re building your case.
Your economic damages award should cover any financial cost you have, or are expected to have, due to the dog bite.
Examples include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and reconstructive surgeries
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Counseling and therapy
- Property damage
Non-economic damages deal with the more personal losses associated with a traumatic injury or event, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
Dog bites can leave victims struggling with serious long-term consequences. It’s important that these consequences are reflected in your compensation award.
How Much Money Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Dog Bite Case in Florida?
We know that the costs associated with hiring an attorney are an important consideration. You shouldn’t have to choose between paying your bills and hiring experienced legal representation. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
You are not responsible for covering any initial costs. Your attorneys’ fees depend entirely on your lawyer’s success in your case. Once your case is finalized, you’ll pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Can Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law Impact My Right To Recover Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries?
Don’t be surprised if the dog owner claims you provoked the dog. Provocation is a defense that is written into Florida’s dog bite law. The impact depends on the amount of blame that’s determined to be yours.
Florida has a modified comparative negligence law. If the owner succeeds, your compensation will be reduced to account for the share of fault allocated to you. You can lose your right to compensation entirely if your share of fault is more than 50%.
The defense will attempt to pin as much blame as possible on you. Our lawyers are prepared to mitigate the impact of the shared fault law–if it legitimately impacts your case at all.
Our Lawyers in Clearwater Are Ready To Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Our Clearwater dog bite attorneys often represent clients who are struggling with:
- Eye and facial injuries
- Severe puncture wounds, which can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal injuries
- Severe infections, which can lead to amputations and other catastrophic injuries
Animal attacks can be terrifying. Many victims struggle with PTSD, fear, and anxiety long after their physical wounds have healed. We know these “invisible” injuries can have a significant impact on your life–and we’ll fight to make sure your compensation award accounts for these losses.
How Do I Prove I’m Entitled to Compensation After a Dog Bite in Florida?
A strict liability law applies in most Florida dog bite injury cases. Rather than prove the owner was negligent, Florida law requires proof that:
- You were on public property or legally on private property when the bite occurred
- The dog actually bit you
- You were injured as a result of the dog bite and suffered damages
Practically speaking, in most cases, you’ll likely have to prove that you did nothing to provoke the dog to attack.
Many states require proof that the dog’s owner knew the dog was aggressive or had vicious tendencies. Florida law doesn’t require this type of proof.
What Types of Defenses Should I Expect the Dog’s Owner To Claim?
It’s important to be prepared for the dog owner’s defenses. Even if the owner seems ready to take responsibility, their insurance company will typically be responsible for your damages. They’ll be ready with tactics designed to reduce your compensation award.
Key defenses in Florida dog bite cases include:
- You provoked the dog to attack in some way
- The owner posted a “bad dog” sign in a prominent location (if the victim was at least six years old)
- The dog attacked, but didn’t bite you
- You weren’t legally on the premises
If any of these defenses are valid, the strict liability law won’t apply. That doesn’t mean you can’t recover damages. It just means that you’ll have to work to prove the defendant was negligent.
Negligence and Florida Dog Bite Injury Cases
Florida law seeks to hold people responsible for the consequences of their actions. Even if the strict liability law doesn’t apply, negligence theories can be used to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Examples of negligence in dog bite cases include:
- The dog’s owner failed to secure the dog
- The dog was allowed to roam freely without a leash
- A property owner failed to protect you against the dangers posed by a dog
A dog’s owner obviously has a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent dog bite injuries.
A property owner who allowed a dangerous dog onto the premises may also be liable. Florida premises liability laws require property owners to take reasonable steps to keep invited visitors safe.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Florida?
You have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This two-year deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you allow two years to pass, you’ll be unable to recover compensation for your losses.
Contact a Seasoned Clearwater Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You shouldn’t be solely responsible for the acts of someone else’s dog in Clearwater, FL; you’re already struggling with injuries. An experienced Clearwater dog bite lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to hold the dog’s owner and all responsible parties liable.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
