If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you are protected under Florida law. Unlike some other states, Florida’s dog bite law does not have a “one-bite” clause that protects owners whose dogs have never bitten a human before; instead, Florida dog bite laws are strict negligence regulations that favor the bitten party. Here’s what you should know about potential damage recovery in a Florida dog bite lawsuit.

As the victim of a dog bite, you can choose to pursue civil litigation. If you win your case, the jury may award you monetary damages to help compensate for the expenses related to your dog bite injury. You may seek compensatory damages for measurable losses, such as medical bills, insurance co-payments, lost wages, and future medical care. You may also seek non-economic damages, such as mental anguish or pain and suffering, to compensate you for the trauma of a dog bite.

While any Florida dog bite victim may file suit in civil court, it’s good to have a sense of whether you were negligent before beginning the process. Did the owner of the dog post a “bad dog” sign or verbally warn you that their dog may bite? If so, you may bear some responsibility for your own injury – and a jury will reduce your award accordingly. If you antagonized the dog, the jury may apportion you a percentage of fault in the case. Hence, it’s a good idea to document the circumstances of the injury as soon as possible after your dog bite so that you can assess whether you have a claim.

If you have been bitten by a dog and wish to recover economic damages for your injury, it is best to contact a Florida dog bite attorney as soon as possible. The personal injury statute of limitations means you have only a short period of time in which to file your claim, so contact a Florida dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to get the legal process in motion. Your Florida dog bite attorney will help evaluate and investigate your claim and explain relevant laws to you. If your claim is likely to result in compensation, a good Florida dog bite lawyer can help you file suit and get you compensation for the damages incurred because of the dog bite.