Damages in dog bite cases are an important issue to understand after a biting incident in Boca Raton results in an injury. The damages you incur from a dog bite will have a direct impact on the amount of compensation you may have a right to pursue from a liable owner.
The dog bite lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia advocate for every dollar our clients deserve. We help you understand the extent of your damages available under the law and navigate the complexities of civil litigation. Do not settle for less than what you have a right to claim. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial case review.
A person injured in a dog bite incident can claim several types of damages based on the extent of their injury and the ways it can negatively impact their life. These damages typically fall into one of two categories.
The first category is for economic damages, which refer to the losses that have a clear and provable cost. Examples of these include your medical care costs, such as hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and other healthcare needs. Economic damages may also apply in cases where a dog bite injury requires time away from work or limits your ability to work in the future because of a disability. A liable dog owner may have an obligation to pay for lost wages or diminished future earning capacity.
The second type of damages are non-economic. These damages refer to the harms that do not necessarily have a direct financial measure, namely your pain and suffering. A person may also have non-economic damages for injuries that result in any permanent scarring or disfigurement.
The circumstances of a dog bite incident could further allow our lawyers to seek punitive damages against the liable owner. A jury and court may award these damages under Florida Statute § 768.72 if they find a defendant engaged in intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
Claims of comparative fault in a dog bite case can impact the amount of compensation an injured party in Boca Raton receives for their damages. Dog owners are generally liable for bites that occur in public, or on private property if the injured party had a legal right or permission to be there. However, Florida Statute § 767.04 limits the recovery of damages when the injured party’s negligence contributed to the biting incident. A dog owner may claim this is the case in situations where the person bitten provoked the attack.
The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida is two years under Statute § 95.11. The period to file will generally begin on the date of the dog bite.
Yes, a dog owner can still be liable even if they did not have prior knowledge of their dog’s vicious or dangerous nature.
Understanding the extent of your damages in a Boca Raton dog bite case will enable you to make informed decisions in considering a settlement offer or pursuing a trial. The personal injury lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia are here to help at every step of your case. We work on a contingency basis for clients, so they do not have to worry about keeping up with legal fees while we work to resolve their claim. Contact our office today to schedule a free case review.
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