Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer

Tampa Dog Bite Attorney

The densely populated neighborhoods and frequent outdoor activities in cities like Tampa, Florida, increase opportunities for human-animal interactions. While these interactions can be enjoyable, they can also result in severe physical injuries and emotional trauma, along with expensive medical treatments. This is where a Tampa dog bite lawyer can help.

Residents face genuine risks of dog attacks when jogging on Bayshore Boulevard, walking kids to school in Seminole Heights, and even visiting the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with pets. In cases of dog bites that happen to you or someone close to you, it’s essential to understand your legal rights immediately and pursue legal action without delay.

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813-750-0422

7269 Bucks Ford Dr.
Riverview, FL 33578

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Why Choose The Frank Santini Law Firm?

The Frank Santini Law Firm delivers substantial big-firm legal resources while maintaining small-firm principles that prioritize your needs. Under the leadership of founder Frank Santini, who transitioned from corporate defense attorney to injury victims advocate, we control our caseload numbers to ensure you meet Frank directly without going through unnecessary barriers.

Our personal injury team boasts 16 years of legal experience plus an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and demonstrates success in complex legal matters such as workplace injuries, surgical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. We prioritize genuine justice over numerical wins. We make sure every case receives personal attention by treating each client as family, regardless of whether it’s worth $10,000 or millions of dollars.

We bring in trusted professionals at no extra cost to you during high-stakes situations because we remain loyal solely to your recovery.

Understanding Florida’s Dog Bite Laws

Florida adheres to a strict liability standard for dog bite incidents. Florida Statute § 767.04 states that dog owners face liability when their dog bites a person in public spaces or on private property where the person has legal entry, even if the animal previously showed no aggressive behavior. However, there are exceptions to this rule. An owner’s liability may be absolved or reduced if:

• The injured person provoked the dog.
• The injured person was trespassing, therefore having no legal right to be on the property where the dog bite occurred.
• A clear and visible sign was posted warning the public of a bad or aggressive dog, and the victim was six years of age or older.

The Occurrence of Dog Bites in Florida

Dog bites are not just unfortunate occurrences. They are serious incidents that affect public safety and health. Florida has been ranked high for dog bite claims. In 2024, Florida came second for the highest number of dog bite claims, behind California. There were 1,821 claims that year. The average cost per claim was $55,680. The value of claims in 2024 was $101.4 million.

It’s also worth noting that young children are the most vulnerable to dog bites. Many dog bites are serious and require medical attention, and many of them need surgery. This can also lead to psychological trauma, especially in children.

What To Do After a Dog Bite in Tampa

Being bitten by a dog can be a scary experience. However, knowing what to do afterward can help ensure your safety and health. Here are some things you should do immediately following a dog bite:

• Seek medical attention right away. Your health and safety are the main priority. Even if you feel like it is not that serious, a dog bite typically exposes your body to outside bacteria. Even a small bite can lead to an infection or rabies if not treated in a timely manner.
• Report the incident. Call Hillsborough County Animal Control and file an official report. If the bite happens within the city, you can also contact Tampa Police, and they can assist you.
• Document the incident. Take pictures and/or video of the bite, any injuries you sustained, the dog, and where it happened, if you can. If there are witnesses, secure their statements.
• Find the owner. If the dog is not a stray and has an owner, find out if the dog is vaccinated. If the owner has insurance, gather that information as well.
• Consult an attorney. Insurance companies and dog owners may try to hurry up and close the case or give you a low settlement. An attorney in Tampa can analyze the case to know how much your dog bite is truly worth. They can advocate on your behalf and negotiate fair compensation for you.

The Insurance Claims Process for Dog Bites

The insurance claims process after a dog bite becomes challenging because patients must handle both medical treatments and emotional distress. Typically, the pet owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance will pay for injuries inflicted by their dog. Timely processing of an insurance claim requires you to file it within a few days following the incident.

Start by gathering as much evidence as possible: Capture detailed images of your injuries while noting the exact location of the incident, and collect witness contact details. You need to collect medical records along with police or animal control reports and evidence of lost income to support your claim. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to examine and establish your damage amount after you submit the claim.

Insurance companies might propose a settlement, but it’s common for these preliminary offers to be less than your entire financial loss. An experienced dog bite attorney can significantly influence the outcome of your case.

Through direct negotiation with the insurance company, your lawyer ensures you obtain reimbursement for both medical expenses and lost income, as well as emotional distress and any permanent physical damage. Should negotiations not yield results, your lawyer might suggest pursuing legal action to obtain your rightful justice and compensation.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

Dog bite injuries can range from minor to catastrophic. Common injuries include puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bones, nerve damage, infections, disfigurement (especially in the face), nerve damage, and psychological trauma (especially in children).

In extreme cases, a person may be subject to amputations and/or permanent disability, which not only affect a person’s physical body but also their ability to work and live life as they previously did. These factors all come into consideration when determining compensation for victims. Compensation typically includes:

• Economic damages. These are easily quantifiable damages that can be documented through receipts or costs, such as lost income, medical bills, medications, and surgeries.
• Non-economic damages. These damages are determined based on the circumstances of the case. While not as easily quantifiable, they are often granted at the discretion of the legal entities involved. These include PTSD, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life.
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages are less common but are awarded in particularly egregious situations when an owner was grossly negligent. An example of this would be if the owner knew their dog was dangerous, but they let it roam around the neighborhood alone without a leash.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips

The greatest thing to assist in dog bites is to do all you can to help prevent them. For residents of Tampa, teach your children not to approach unfamiliar dogs, especially larger ones or breeds with a history of aggressive behaviors. Always supervise children around dogs, even if it is a family dog.

Avoid playing rough games with dogs and avoid disturbing dogs while they are eating or sleeping. Report strays or aggressive dogs to Hillsborough County Animal Control. If you are a dog owner, keep your dogs leashed in public. Train your dogs early and post signs on your property if you know your dog is fearful or aggressive towards strangers.

FAQs About Tampa, FL Dog Bite Laws

How Much Can You File a Claim for a Dog Bite in Florida?

The potential claim amount for a dog bite in Florida relies on specific details like injury severity, medical expenses, lost earnings, and emotional distress. Each claim is assessed individually according to the life-changing effects of the incident, since there is no fixed compensation limit. Higher compensation amounts typically result from cases involving serious or permanent injuries.

Why Do You Have to Wait 10 Days After a Dog Bite?

The state of Florida requires a 10-day watch period for dogs that have bitten humans to observe any rabies-related symptoms. Throughout the observation period, a healthy dog that has no symptoms will show that it is not transmitting rabies during the bite, which protects the victim and directs proper medical follow-up. This 10-day wait is to ensure the health of the victim.

How Serious Does a Dog Bite Have to Be to File a Claim?

Any injury from a dog bite in Florida, no matter how serious, can lead to a legal claim because of the state’s strict liability legislation. Medical treatment or emotional trauma from minor bites can be reasons to pursue legal action. Victims must show that the bite caused damage, no matter how severe the injury was.

Does Florida Have a One Bite Rule for Dogs?

No, Florida does not have a one-bite rule for dogs. Instead, the law imposes strict liability on owners of dogs, so they must take responsibility for their dog’s actions that cause harm, even if they have no prior knowledge of aggressive behavior. The owner can be held liable for damages if their dog bites someone.

Contact The Frank Santini Law Firm Today

If you were injured in a dog bite in Tampa, you may be entitled to compensation. The Frank Santini Law Firm can help. Contact us today for more information.