Dog Bite Lawyer Boca Raton, FL

A dog bite can happen in seconds, on a neighborhood sidewalk, at a friend’s home, or near a dog park. The wounds may need stitches, surgery, or a series of rabies shots, and the scars can last for years. A dog bite lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can explain how Florida’s dog bite statute applies, find the owner’s insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for the injured person. Jacobson Injury Firm represents dog bite victims throughout Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County. Contact the firm for a free consultation.

How Dog Bite Claims Work in Florida

Florida does not follow a “one bite” rule. Under Florida Statute 767.04, the owner of a dog that bites someone is liable for the resulting damages if the person was in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s own property. This applies regardless of whether the dog had ever been vicious before and whether the owner knew about it.

This is called strict liability. In plain terms, the injured person does not have to prove the owner was careless. They generally need to show that the dog bit them, who owns the dog, and where the bite happened.

A person is “lawfully” on private property when they are invited there, either expressly or impliedly, or when they are performing a duty imposed by law, such as delivering the mail. Guests, delivery drivers, and service workers usually meet this test.

A second statute, Florida Statute 767.01, makes a dog owner liable for damage the dog does to a person. It can cover injuries that are not bites, such as a fall caused by a large dog jumping on someone. It also requires an owner who knows a dog has dangerous tendencies to keep it securely confined in a proper enclosure.

The “Bad Dog” Sign Exception

Section 767.04 gives owners one limited defense. An owner is not liable for a bite if a sign that includes the words “Bad Dog” was displayed in a prominent place on the property and was easy to read.

That defense has two important limits. It does not apply when the person bitten was under 6 years old. It also does not apply when the bite was caused by the owner’s own negligence, such as leaving a gate open or letting the dog roam loose. A warning sign does not give an owner permission to be careless.

Where Dog Bites Happen in Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a dog-friendly city, and many bites happen in ordinary places: homes, condo hallways, apartment complexes, and residential streets. The city also has three parks where pets are allowed, according to its Pets in Boca Raton page:

• Mizner Bark at 751 Banyan Trail, with three fenced off-leash areas sorted by dog size
• Bark Beach at Spanish River Park, an off-leash beach area between lifeguard towers 18 and 20 for permit holders
• The lake path at Countess de Hoernle Park, where the city requires dogs to be leashed at all times

Off-leash areas bring many unfamiliar dogs and people together. An owner who brings an aggressive dog to one of these areas can still be responsible if it bites someone.

Common Types of Dog Bite Cases

Jacobson Injury Firm handles dog bite and dog attack claims involving:

• Neighbors’ dogs that escape through open gates or damaged fences
• Off-leash dogs on sidewalks, walking paths, and beaches
• Bites to children visiting a friend’s or relative’s home
• Bites to mail carriers, delivery drivers, and repair workers on the job
• Attacks in shared condo and apartment common areas
• Knockdowns that cause broken bones and fractures, especially for older adults

What Compensation Can a Dog Bite Victim Recover?

An injured person may seek compensation for:

• Emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment
• Rabies post-exposure shots and infection treatment
• Plastic surgery or scar revision, including future procedures
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, including anxiety or fear around dogs
• Scarring and disfigurement

Many dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. The firm’s guide to damages in Florida injury cases explains how these categories are valued.

What If the Injured Person Was Partly at Fault?

Section 767.04 includes its own comparative negligence rule. If the injured person’s own carelessness helped cause the bite, the owner’s liability is reduced by that person’s percentage of fault. For example, someone found 25% at fault for reaching over a fence to pet a dog, with $40,000 in damages, could recover $30,000.

Insurers may also rely on Florida Statute 768.81, which bars recovery by a person found more than 50% at fault for their own harm. Owners commonly claim the victim provoked the dog, ignored a warning, or was trespassing. The firm’s overview of comparative fault in Florida explains how fault is divided.

Young children deserve special mention. A toddler cannot read a sign or understand a dog’s warning signals, which is one reason the “Bad Dog” defense does not apply to children under 6.

What Should You Do After a Dog Bite in Boca Raton?

The steps taken right after a bite protect both health and a later claim. If possible, the injured person should:

• Wash the wound and get medical care. The Florida Department of Health advises scrubbing a bite with soap and running water for five to ten minutes and then seeing a health care provider. Boca Raton Regional Hospital operates an emergency room on Meadows Road.
• Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and the dog’s vaccination information. The health department notes that a biting dog is either quarantined for ten days or tested for rabies.
• Report the bite. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control can be reached at (561) 233-1200. Under Florida Statute 767.11, a dog that has aggressively bitten a person can be classified as a “dangerous dog,” and an official report creates a record.
• Document everything. Photograph the wounds as they heal, torn clothing, and the place where the bite occurred. Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses.
• Avoid recorded statements. The owner’s insurer may call quickly. Speaking with an attorney first can help protect the claim.

The firm’s checklist on what to do after an accident covers these steps in more depth.

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Florida?

Under Florida Statute 95.11, negligence claims must generally be filed within two years. Florida shortened this deadline from four years to two for claims arising after March 24, 2023.

Some dog bite claims are based on the dog bite statute rather than ordinary negligence, and the deadline that applies can depend on how a claim is framed. The safest course is to treat two years as the limit. A dog bite lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can review the facts and confirm the deadline that applies.

No Fee Unless We Win

Jacobson Injury Firm handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee is owed unless the firm recovers compensation.

Clients work directly with attorney Adam Jacobson, who is licensed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois. The firm represents injured people only, and he prepares each case as if it may go to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida have a “one bite” rule?

No. Under section 767.04, a dog owner can be held liable for the first bite, even if the dog never showed aggression before and the owner had no warning.

What if the dog belongs to a friend or relative?

Many people hesitate to make a claim against someone they know. In most cases, the claim is paid by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, not out of the owner’s pocket.

Can a “Bad Dog” sign defeat my claim?

It can in some cases, but not when the person bitten was under 6, or when the owner’s own negligence caused the bite. The sign must also have been prominent and easy to read.

What if I was bitten at a dog park?

The dog’s owner can still be responsible for a bite at Mizner Bark, Bark Beach, or any other public place. Witness names and photos taken at the scene are especially helpful in these cases.

How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?

Jacobson Injury Firm works on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless money is recovered.

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Boca Raton, FL

A serious dog bite can bring medical bills, missed work, and lasting scars. A dog bite lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can investigate the attack, deal with the owner’s insurer, and pursue full compensation under Florida law. Call (561) 567-7163 or contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation.