Florida Dog Bite Attorneys

Our Florida dog bite lawyers have handled many injury claims for children and adults bitten by a dog. See if we can help with your case. A sudden, violent dog attack can be one of the most terrifying experiences a person or child can endure. In a matter of seconds, an aggressive dog can inflict deep puncture wounds, torn muscle tissue, severed nerves, permanent facial scarring, and profound psychological trauma. Victims are often left facing urgent emergency room visits, complex reconstructive surgeries, rabies risk protocols, lost wages, and compounding medical bills.

Navigating a dog bite claim in Florida often requires far more than just filling out insurance paperwork. It may demand a deep, technical understanding of Florida’s strict liability statutes, complex insurance policy exclusions, third-party liability frameworks (such as landlord and HOA negligence), and the strict court approval processes required when a child is injured.

At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our top rated Florida personal injury lawyers have handled thousands of injury claims across the Sunshine State. Having handled more than 6,500 accident cases, our firm possesses the deep financial capital, forensic medical networks, and aggressive litigation experience which may be needed to uncover every available layer of insurance coverage and fight for the maximum compensation you and your family deserve.

👉 Call us 24/7 at (800) 337-7755 or use our live chat for a free, strictly confidential case evaluation. We handle all dog bite lawsuits on a strict contingency fee basis, meaning you pay zero upfront fees or costs, and we only collect a fee if we successfully recover financial compensation for you.

Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law (Florida Statute § 767.04)

In many states, dog bite victims must prove the “one-bite rule”, meaning they have to show that the dog’s owner knew or should have known that the animal possessed aggressive propensities before the attack occurred. Florida does not follow the one-bite rule.

Under Florida Statute § 767.04, Florida is a Strict Liability state regarding dog bites. This statutory provision generally holds the owner of any dog strictly liable for damages inflicted on a person who is bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. The law protects victims who are bitten while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the dog owner.

Exceptions and Defenses Under Florida Law

While Florida Statute § 767.04 establishes strict liability, insurance defense lawyers frequently attempt to exploit statutory exceptions to reduce or eliminate the owner’s financial accountability:

• Comparative Negligence: Any negligence on the part of the person bitten that proximately contributes to the bite incident reduces the liability of the dog owner by the percentage of the victim’s fault. For example, if a jury determines that a victim provoked the dog and was 20% at fault, the financial award is reduced by 20%.
• The “Bad Dog” Sign Exception: Under F.S. § 767.04, a dog owner is generally not liable (except for proximity or negligence claims) if, at the time of the incident, the owner had displayed in a prominent place on their premises an easily readable sign including the words “Bad Dog” or “Beware of Dog.”
• CRITICAL CHILD EXCEPTION TO THE “BAD DOG” SIGN: Insurance adjusters often try to deny claims involving children by pointing to a “Bad Dog” sign on the fence. However, Florida Statute § 767.04 explicitly states that the “Bad Dog” sign defense does NOT apply if the victim is under six (6) years of age. Young children are statutorily protected regardless of posted warnings.
• Unlawful Trespassing: Strict liability applies only when the victim is lawfully in a public place or lawfully on private property. If the victim was committing a crime or unlawfully trespassing on private property at the time of the attack, strict liability under § 767.04 may be negated.

Non-Bite Dog Injuries (Florida Statute § 767.01)

What happens if a large, aggressive dog does not bite you, but instead lunges, jumps on you, chases you into traffic, or knocks you down, causing a broken hip, torn ACL, or traumatic brain injury? Florida Statute § 767.01 provides that “Owners of dogs shall be liable for any damage done by their dogs to a person…” This statutory rule generally extends strict liability beyond physical bite punctures to include knockdowns, falls, and injuries caused when an unrestrained dog frightens or physically strikes a pedestrian, cyclist, or child.

Uncovering Insurance Coverage: The Key to Recovering Compensation

Securing a massive verdict against an individual dog owner may be meaningless if that individual has no personal assets and no insurance policy. The true work of a Florida dog bite lawyer may involve meticulously identifying, stacking, and litigating all potential insurance policies that cover the attack. It can be difficult at times to get insurance coverage in dog bite cases in Florida because of exclusions.

1. Homeowners Insurance Policies

The primary source of recovery in most dog bite cases is the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners liability limits typically range from $100,000 to $300,000 or $500,000. However, major insurance carriers frequently insert “Animal Liability Exclusions” or specific “Breed Exclusions” into their policies.

Carriers often explicitly exclude coverage for specific breeds deemed “high risk,” such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Akitas, or Chow Chows. Our legal team meticulously reviews the complete, unredacted insurance policy declaration sheets and endorsements. Even if a specific animal liability endorsement is excluded, we can investigate whether the homeowner failed to secure the animal properly under broader negligence theories that may trigger general liability coverage.

2. Renters Insurance Policies

A huge percentage of dog owners in Florida rent their homes, apartments, or condominiums. Many landlords mandate that tenants carry renters insurance. Renters insurance policies routinely contain personal liability coverage that follows the tenant and their pet, covering dog bite incidents that occur both inside the rented residence and off-premises (such as at a public park or sidewalk). We can issue immediate formal insurance disclosure demands under Florida Statute § 627.4137 to force renters insurance carriers to reveal policy limits under oath.

3. Excess and Umbrella Liability Policies

When a dog bite results in catastrophic injuries, such as permanent facial disfigurement, limb amputation, nerve destruction, or death, a standard $100,000 homeowners policy is rarely enough to cover lifetime medical care and non-economic damages. In these high-stakes cases, we search for underlying Umbrella or Excess Liability Policies. Umbrella coverage provides additional liability limits (often $1,000,000 to $5,000,000+) that sit above primary homeowners or automobile policies, providing a substantial pool of financial recovery for severe trauma.

4. Commercial General Liability (CGL) Policies

If a dog attack occurs on commercial property, such as inside a retail store, at a outdoor restaurant patio, inside an auto repair shop, or within a pet-friendly hotel, the business owner’s Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy generally comes into play. CGL policies often feature multi-million dollar liability limits and cover injuries caused by a business owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment for invitees, unless exception applies.

Child Dog Bite Injuries in Florida: Legal, Medical, and Financial Protections

Children are disproportionately the victims of severe dog attacks. Due to their small stature, children are typically bitten around the face, head, neck, and throat. The physical and emotional fallout for a young child is immense, often requiring immediate plastic surgery, complex scar revision, and long-term psychological intervention to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe night terrors.

Scar Revision and Future Medical Damages

Facial scars on a growing child change over time. Pediatric plastic surgeons frequently recommend delaying definitive scar revision surgeries until the child reaches physical maturity or undergoes growth spurts. When negotiating a settlement for a child, our attorneys can work alongside board-certified pediatric plastic surgeons and life care planners to project the exact future costs of multi-stage laser treatments, keloid excision surgeries, and specialized scar compression therapies necessary throughout the child’s adolescent years.

Florida Child Settlement Approval Statutes (F.S. § 744.301 & § 744.387)

To protect minors from predatory practices or mismanagement of funds, Florida generally enforces strict statutory frameworks governing how a child’s personal injury settlement must be handled and approved by a circuit court judge:

• Settlements Exceeding $15,000 (F.S. § 744.387): If a proposed gross settlement for a minor equals or exceeds $15,000, the settlement must be formally submitted to the court for legal approval. The judge will generally evaluate whether the settlement is in the absolute best interest of the child. In many cases, the court will appoint an independent attorney known as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to review the medical records, fee structure, and proposed allocation, submitting an independent report to the court.
• Net Settlements Exceeding $50,000 (F.S. § 744.301): If a settlement results in net proceeds (after medical bills and legal fees) exceeding $50,000 payable to the minor, Florida law mandates that a formal Guardianship of the Property must be established. A natural parent does not automatically have the legal right to hold or spend their child’s settlement money. A judge must officially appoint a guardian of the property, and the funds must be placed into a court-restricted bank account where no money can be withdrawn without a specific court order signed by the judge, unless another option is approved to handle the settlement funds.

Structured Settlements and Tax-Free Growth

To satisfy court requirements and safeguard a child’s financial future, victims may utilize Structured Settlements. Instead of placing a large lump sum of cash into a bank account where it may sit until the child turns 18, the settlement funds may be placed into an annuity backed by top-rated life insurance companies.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 104(a)(2), all growth and interest compounding within a personal injury structured settlement annuity is typically 100% tax-free. The annuity can be customized to distribute guaranteed payments to the child at key life milestones, such as college tuition payouts at age 18, 19, 20, and 21, followed by lump-sum cash distributions at ages 25 and 30. This can help ensure the funds are protected from early dissipation and grow tax-free over time.

Learn more about how our firm protects injured families by visiting our comprehensive personal injury victim resources.

Types of Dog Attack Cases We Handle

Every dog attack scenario could involve unique legal theories, factual investigations, and insurance structures. Our law firm actively represents victims across a wide range of attack categories:

Severe Maulings and Facial Bites

High-velocity bites from powerful breeds can cause crushing fractures to facial bones, torn ear cartilage, severed facial nerves (leading to paralysis), and permanent avulsion injuries where tissue is completely torn away. We can work alongside plastic surgeons and neurologists to fully document the anatomical destruction and future surgical needs of the victim.

Dog Knockdowns and Fall Injuries

An unleashed or poorly controlled dog that runs into a pedestrian, jumps on an elderly person, or trips a jogger can cause devastating orthopedic injuries without ever sinking its teeth into the victim’s skin. We can represent clients who suffer fractured hips, broken shoulders, and traumatic brain injuries after being violently knocked to the pavement by an off-leash dog.

Attacks at Commercial Stores and Pet-Friendly Businesses

Many hardware stores, outdoor shopping malls, coffee shop patios, and hotel chains now market themselves as “pet-friendly.” However, allowing customers to bring unvetted dogs into crowded commercial spaces creates a severe hazard. If a business owner allows a dangerous or agitated dog to remain on their commercial premises and a customer is bitten, the business can be held liable under premises liability laws for failing to maintain a safe environment.

Attacks in Apartment Complexes and Rental Properties

Apartment complex common areas, dog parks, elevators, and hallways are frequent sites of aggressive dog encounters. When an apartment tenant owns a vicious dog that attacks another resident, both the tenant and the landlord or property management company may face legal liability.

Delivery Driver and Service Worker Attacks

Amazon drivers, UPS couriers, USPS postal workers, utility contractors, and food delivery drivers face daily risks from unmanaged dogs. Homeowners who order goods or services owe an explicit duty to invitees to secure their animals. If a delivery worker is bitten or chased on a property, we can file third-party personal injury lawsuits against the homeowner in addition to helping them navigate any underlying workers’ compensation claims.

If an attack tragically results in a fatal injury, our firm can work alongside surviving family members to pursue justice through a formal Florida wrongful death claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Florida?

Identifying all potentially liable defendants can be the cornerstone of securing full financial recovery. Depending on where and how the attack occurred, our attorneys can pursue claims against:

1. The Dog Owner

Under F.S. § 767.04, the dog owner is the primary strictly liable party. Their personal homeowners or renters insurance policy provides the initial line of financial recovery.

2. Landlords and Property Owners

In Florida, among other possible arguments, a landlord can be held legally liable for a tenant’s aggressive dog if:

1. The landlord had actual knowledge that the tenant’s dog was vicious and posed a dangerous hazard to others; and
2. The landlord had the ability and legal control to eliminate the danger (such as the power to enforce a lease provision prohibiting dangerous animals or initiate eviction proceedings).

3. Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and Condo Boards

HOA and Condominium Associations govern common areas like walkways, clubhouses, and community dog parks. If an HOA board is fully aware that a resident is housing a dangerous, aggressive breed in direct violation of the community’s governing declarations and bylaws, but fails to take action or enforce leash rules in common elements, the association itself can be sued for negligence if that dog attacks a visitor or resident in a common area.

4. Business Owners and Employers

If an employee brings an aggressive dog to a workplace or commercial job site and the dog bites a customer, contractor, or visitor, the employer can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee under the doctrine of respondeat superior, as well as directly liable for negligent supervision of the premises.

For more information on corporate and property liability, explore our resources at VictimAid.com.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Attack in Florida

The steps you take immediately following a dog attack can be vital to protecting your health and preserving key evidence for your legal claim:

1. Seek Emergency Medical Attention: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to reduce infection risks. Proceed immediately to an emergency room or urgent care center. Animal bites carry massive risks of bacterial infections, such as Pasteurella multocida, Capnocytophaga, staph, or tetanus.
2. Report the Incident to Animal Control and Police: Call local law enforcement and your county’s Animal Care and Control division immediately. Officers will generally file an official incident report, verify rabies vaccination records, and place the biting dog under mandatory quarantine procedures.
3. Document the Dog and Owner’s Information: Obtain the dog owner’s full name, residential address, phone number, and homeowners or renters insurance details. Take photos of the dog if safely possible.
4. Take High-Resolution Photos of All Injuries: Photograph all puncture wounds, lacerations, torn clothing, blood at the scene, and surgical sutures. Continue taking photos throughout the healing process to document bruising, stitches, and permanent scarring.
5. Do NOT Give Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters: The dog owner’s insurance carrier may call you quickly, acting friendly and asking for a recorded statement. Do not give one. Adjusters are often trained to ask leading questions designed to make you admit partial fault or minimize your pain.
6. Contact an Experienced Florida Dog Bite Attorney: Reach out to our firm immediately so we can dispatch investigators where appropriate, request county animal control records, and send formal spoliation letters to preserve surveillance video and records.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin?

When you or your child are suffering from the trauma of a dog attack, you should look for an attorney experienced in handling dog bite cases. You may want an aggressive, nationally recognized litigator who knows how to hold insurance companies accountable.

Founding Attorney Jason Turchin has handled more than 6,500 personal injury and accident claims. He is AV Preeminent® Rated by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell, representing the highest standard of legal ability and ethics. Our firm also has experience with probate and guardianship matters, allowing us to seamlessly manage court approvals for child settlements.

• Over 6,500 Cases Handled: Decades of experience fighting major insurance carriers across Florida.
• Minor Guardianship Experience: We can help manage all court filings, Guardian ad Litem negotiations, and court approval hearings for child injury settlements.
• No-Fee Guarantee: We operate on a strict contingency fee structure. We can advance 100% of the financial costs required to build your case, hire medical experts, and file a lawsuit. You owe us zero attorney’s fees or costs unless we successfully recover a financial settlement or verdict for you.

Serving Communities Throughout the State of Florida

Our law firm can represent dog bite victims and injured families in every county and municipality across Florida. We actively accept cases in:

• Miami and Miami-Dade County
• Fort Lauderdale and Broward County (Including Weston, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Miramar, Davie, Plantation, and Sunrise)
• Orlando and Orange County
• Tampa and Hillsborough County
• West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County
• Naples and Collier County
• Key West and Monroe County

Florida Dog Bite FAQs

Contact Our Florida Dog Bite Lawyers Today

Do not let an insurance adjuster dictate your physical and financial recovery after a dangerous animal attack. Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 to speak directly with an experienced Florida dog bite lawyer. Our legal team is available 24/7, including after hours and on weekends, to protect your rights and help you secure the maximum financial compensation you are legally owed.