Animal Attacks

Legal liability for injuries caused by animal attacks

Animal attacks in Florida, like many other states, holds the owner or handler of a pet dog, cat, or bird responsible for injuries suffered if the animal attacks a person.  That means if your neighbor’s dog bites your child, your neighbor’s home owners’ insurance policy or other personal liability policy will typically cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement or scarring, facial and eye injuries, and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).  It is generally not necessary to prove that the owner’s negligence caused the pet to attack, even if it is the first time the animal attacked anyone.  If the pet has attacked people before, additional remedies and damages may be available.

Legal liability for wild animal attacks

Golf courses, motels, businesses, apartment complexes, and owners of residential properties that border pools, ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers known to be populated by alligators are responsible for protecting the property and properly warning visitors of any hazard.  Failure to do so is negligence.  Victims of an attack by a gator or other wild animal on unprotected or unmarked land may be entitled to recover damages from the property owner or manager.

Florida dog and alligator attack claims

If you or a member of your family suffers a dog bite injury or alligator attack, you may be entitled to a personal injury or wrongful death claim under Florida law.  Speak to Attorney Woodruff to discuss your claim stemming from a dangerous dog running loose or lunging at a child walking by or an alligator coming onto unfenced property, contact Woodruff Injury Law to schedule your free initial consultation.