If you own a dog in Florida, it’s important to know about your rights and responsibilities. If your dog bites someone, even once, you can be in for a world of legal trouble – even if your dog has never bitten a person before.

Florida dog bite laws are covered by state statute and local ordinances. Unlike many other states, there is no “one-bite” exception under Florida’s dog bite law. That means that you are responsible for injuries caused by your dog even if your dog has never bitten anyone before. This strict liability approach is tough on dog owners, but if your dog has bitten someone, don’t despair just yet. There are some exceptions that may reduce your liability.

Negligence on the part of a victim can reduce your liability in a Florida dog bite lawsuit. For example, if you verbally warn a person not to pet your dog or that it may bite and the dog then bites, a jury may find shared responsibility in court. However, it’s a good idea to take other measures if you believe your dog is likely to bite a person.

If you wish to protect yourself from liability in a Florida dog bite case, post a sign on your property that warns others about your dog. If you display this sign, you will not generally be liable unless you engaged in other negligent behavior that led to the dog bite. The “bad dog” sign puts the burden on the visitor who chooses to interact with your dog.

Unfortunately, even if you post a “bad dog” sign or verbally warn a person that your dog may bite, you may still be pursued in court. Ultimately, a Florida dog bite verdict comes down to the quality of the prosecution and defense, the amount of evidence brought before the jury, and the jury in question.

While there’s no real way you can rule out the possibility of a Florida dog bite lawsuit, you can protect your interests by seeking legal advice and representation from an experienced Florida dog bite lawyer. Your Florida dog bite attorney will represent you in court and try to protect your assets from being claimed as compensation for injuries sustained due to your dog’s biting.