Miami Dog Bite & Animal Attack Attorney — Florida Strict Liability

Dog bites are more common than most people realize, and they can cause serious injuries that go far beyond the initial wound. Florida has one of the highest rates of dog bites in the United States, with the warm climate resulting in more outdoor interactions between people and dogs. The dense residential areas of Miami, public parks, neighborhood sidewalks, and even commercial properties are common locations where these attacks occur.

Under Florida Statute 767.01, dog owners bear strict liability for damages caused by their dogs. This means it does not matter whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or whether the owner claims the dog "never did that before." The owner is automatically responsible for your injuries.

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Dog bites carry high risk of serious bacterial infections including staph, MRSA, pasteurella, and rabies. Even bites that appear minor can become dangerously infected.
2. Report the bite to Animal Control. In Miami-Dade, call Animal Services at (305) 884-1101. They will quarantine the dog for 10 days for rabies observation and create an official record of the incident.
3. Identify the dog owner. Get the full name, address, phone number, and homeowner insurance information of the owner. If possible, also get the dog breed, vaccination records, and history of aggression.
4. Document everything with photos. Photographs of the wound immediately after the bite, during healing, and of any resulting scarring. Also document damaged clothing and the location where the attack occurred.
5. Contact a dog bite attorney. Do not speak with the dog owner insurer until you have legal representation. Insurers will minimize your injuries and offer settlements far below the actual value.

Dog bite compensation in Florida can be substantial, especially when permanent scarring or disfigurement is involved. Economic damages include emergency medical care, antibiotics and infection treatment, reconstructive surgery and scar revision (which may be needed multiple times over the years), psychological therapy for emotional trauma, and lost wages.

Non-economic damages frequently represent the most significant portion of compensation: pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement and the emotional impact of visible scarring, post-traumatic stress disorder and dog phobia (cynophobia), embarrassment and social isolation from facial scarring, and the impact on self-esteem and quality of life, especially for children.

The dangerous dog designation under Florida Statute 767.11 can strengthen your case if the dog had a prior history of aggression. If the owner knew the dog was dangerous and failed to take adequate precautions, this can result in additional punitive damages.