Fort Lauderdale Dog Bite Injury Attorney

In homes throughout our beautiful state, dogs are considered an additional member of the family. Most dog owners love their pet as though he was of their own flesh and blood and they think other people should love them too. Unfortunately, more than 1,000 people are brought into emergency rooms each year with injuries sustained from dog bites, and a majority of those are young children.

While dog bite fatalities are not very common, dog bite injuries have serious consequences and can lead to permanent disfigurement. Since a majority of the people injured by dog bites are young children, who have a smaller stature, the injuries from the dog bite are usually sustained around the neck, head, face, and throat. It is highly uncommon that a random dog attacks a child or an adult, and more often than not the dog is known to the victim. These scenarios are highly traumatizing, and it is important to follow some specific steps if you or your child is attacked by a dog:

1. Get medical treatment. The first and most important thing to do in the event of a dog bite injury is to obtain professional medical treatment. The wound(s) will need to be cleaned and treated to prevent any kind of infection. There may need to be sutures placed, and it is important to have everything sanitized to prevent scarring.
2. Talk with the owner of the dog. Do not admit any fault in the attack. But, get as much information as you can about the dog. This includes things like the age, gender, breed, and if the dog is up-to-date on his shots. Since dog bites statistically happen between a dog and a friend or family member of his owner, it is important to keep things calm and not to place blame or escalate things.
3. Call animal control. After you have talked with the owner of the dog, you need to contact the department of animal control and report the incident. They will quarantine the animal, run some tests, and keep a record of the attack. Even if it is a family animal, this is an important step because it establishes a timeline of events and confirms that the animal is healthy
4. Call our office. Once you have taken all of these steps, you need to contact a dog bite personal injury attorney right away. The injuries and damages that you or your loved one have sustained were not your fault, and the expenses related to them should not be your responsibility. The owner of the dog must be held accountable for the actions of his animal.

Dog bite cases can be very emotional because the animal is usually known to the victim and the victim is often a child or young person. But, it is essential that the victim of these vicious injuries be compensated for his medical expenses, lost wages (if applicable), and pain and suffering.

Our expert legal team has years of experience and skill leading dog bite injury claims to victory. When you call our office, we will schedule a complimentary discovery session and get to know more about you and your case.
This session does not obligate you to move forward, but it does give you some information about your options. We understand how delicate these situations can be – especially if the dog who bit you or your child is known to your family.

In fact, the dog may even be considered like a member of your family. But, at the end of the day, the dog has caused serious injury and lasting emotional distress – and, you should be remunerated for the expense and the devastation.