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Coral Springs, FL Dog Bite Attorney
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Bitten by someone else’s dog in Coral Springs?
Dog bite attorneys who hold negligent owners accountable under Florida’s strict liability law.
A dog attack happens in seconds but can leave scars, nerve damage, and medical bills that last for years, and children are hurt most often. Florida law puts the responsibility squarely on the dog’s owner, and an attorney at Jacobson Injury Firm makes sure that responsibility is enforced. As an experienced Coral Springs dog bite lawyer, we document the injury, identify the owner’s insurance, and pursue full compensation for the harm done. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- Dog Bite Attorney Coral Springs, FL
- Florida’s Strict Liability Rule for Dog Owners
- What Sets Jacobson Injury Firm Apart
- Injuries and Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
- When an Owner May Fight the Claim
- Florida Dog Bite Laws Worth Knowing
- Dog Bite Facts for Coral Springs Residents
- Coral Springs Dog Bite Attorney FAQs
- More Resources for Coral Springs Bite Victims
- What Clients Say
- Contact Jacobson Injury Firm
Dog Bite Attorney Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs is a family-heavy, pet-friendly city of about 134,000 people in northwest Broward County, full of the parks, sidewalks, and residential streets where people and dogs cross paths daily. Most encounters are harmless, but when a dog attacks, the results can be devastating, especially for a child. Serious bites are treated at Broward Health Coral Springs, and severe wounds may require plastic surgery and long-term follow-up.
A dog bite claim seeks compensation for that harm from the person legally responsible for the animal. Unlike many injury cases that hinge on proving carelessness, Florida’s dog bite law starts from a much stronger position for the victim. A dog bite attorney in Coral Springs, FL preserves the evidence, values the injury fully, and deals with the owner’s insurer so the focus can stay on healing. A Coral Springs dog attack lawyer also knows how to trace the right insurance policy, which is often where these claims are won or lost.
Florida’s Strict Liability Rule for Dog Owners
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites, which is a significant advantage for victims. Under Florida Statute 767.04, a dog’s owner is liable when the animal bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, and it does not matter whether the dog had ever shown aggression or bitten anyone before. The victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
This sets Florida apart from states that follow a “one-bite rule,” where a victim must show the owner had reason to know the dog might attack. Here, liability attaches the first time. Lawful presence is the key: invited guests, customers, and workers such as mail carriers and delivery drivers are all covered, while a trespasser generally is not. Florida also holds owners responsible under section 767.01 for other injuries a dog causes, such as knocking someone down, not just bites.
What Sets Jacobson Injury Firm Apart
Prepared to Take the Case to Trial
Adam Jacobson builds each claim as though it will be decided by a jury, which is often what moves an insurer toward a fair number. He earned his law degree from Florida International University College of Law and is licensed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois.
Results That Matter
Mr. Jacobson has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and knows the Broward County courts firsthand. Clients work with him directly and stay informed throughout the case.
A Personal, Direct Relationship
Rather than passing a case to staff, Adam handles it himself, so the person guiding the claim is the same one prepared to argue it in court.
Injuries and Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
Dog attacks cause more than puncture wounds. Victims frequently suffer deep lacerations, broken bones, nerve damage, infections, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and lasting emotional trauma, and the most severe cases can be fatal. Because children are bitten far more often than adults and are more likely to be hurt in the face and neck, these cases can involve a lifetime of consequences.
The compensation available in a dog bite claim generally includes:
- Emergency care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, and future medical treatment.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity when the injury affects work.
- Physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact of permanent scarring.
- Counseling for the psychological aftermath, which is common after an attack.
Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance, and identifying every liable party and policy is central to a full recovery. A Coral Springs animal attack attorney knows how to find that coverage and make sure no source of compensation is overlooked.
When an Owner May Fight the Claim
Even under strict liability, owners and their insurers raise defenses, and knowing them ahead of time strengthens the case.
- The “Bad Dog” sign defense. Under section 767.04, an owner who displayed an easily readable “Bad Dog” sign may avoid strict liability, but this does not apply when the victim is under six years old.
- Comparative fault. If the victim provoked the dog or ignored a clear warning, the owner’s liability can be reduced under Florida’s comparative fault rule, and a victim found more than half at fault may recover nothing.
- Trespassing. Because the law protects people lawfully present, an owner may argue the victim had no legal right to be there.
Florida Dog Bite Laws Worth Knowing
- Florida Statute 767.04 sets the strict liability rule for dog bites.
- Negligence principles can still support a claim when strict liability does not fully apply.
- The statute of limitations gives most victims two years from the date of the bite to file, under section 95.11.
- Comparative fault rules can reduce a recovery when the victim shares blame.
Dog Bite Facts for Coral Springs Residents
Dog bites are more common and more serious than many people realize.
- The CDC reports that millions of dog bites occur nationwide each year, with children at the highest risk.
- A large share of bites happen on the owner’s property, often involving a dog the victim knows.
- Coral Springs enforces local animal-control rules through the city and Broward County, including leash and dangerous-dog requirements.
- Prompt medical care matters, since even a minor-looking bite can cause serious infection.
Coral Springs Dog Bite Attorney FAQs
Do I have to prove the dog was dangerous before?
No. Under Florida’s strict liability law, the owner is responsible the first time the dog bites, whether or not it had ever shown aggression. You only need to show ownership, a bite, and that you were lawfully present.
What if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
It does not matter. Florida rejects the “one-bite rule.” The owner is liable even for a first bite, as long as the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property.
Whose insurance pays for a dog bite?
Most claims are covered by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. If the owner has no coverage, other options may exist depending on the facts, which is worth reviewing with a dog bite lawyer in Coral Springs, FL.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Florida?
Generally two years from the date of the bite, under section 95.11. Acting sooner helps preserve medical records, photographs, and witness accounts.
What if I was partly at fault for the attack?
Provoking the dog or ignoring a warning can reduce your recovery under Florida’s comparative fault rule, and being more than half at fault can bar it. Sharing some blame does not automatically end a claim, so have the facts reviewed.
What should I do right after a dog bite?
Get medical care, report the bite to animal control, identify the owner and any witnesses, and photograph the injuries and the location. Then have the claim evaluated before speaking with the owner’s insurer.
More Resources for Coral Springs Dog Bite Victims
About Jacobson Injury Firm
Jacobson Injury Firm has handled serious injury claims across South Florida for years. Adam Jacobson keeps each case personally, prepares every one for trial, and has recovered millions for injured clients. With insurers defending owners from the outset, having a trial-ready Coral Springs FL dog bite attorney levels the field.
Local Resources
- Broward Health Coral Springs runs the city’s full-service hospital and 24-hour emergency department at 3000 Coral Hills Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065. (954) 344-3000.
- Broward County Animal Care handles animal-control matters, bite reports, and dangerous-dog investigations countywide.
- The Coral Springs Police Department can be reached for non-emergencies at (954) 344-1800.
For any emergency, call 911.
Please note: These organizations have no connection to Jacobson Injury Firm, and the firm does not endorse them. They appear here only as a convenience for readers.
What Clients Say
“Excellent service and results. Jacobson Law Offices was professional, responsive, and truly cared about my case. They explained everything clearly and delivered great results. I highly recommend them to anyone needing a dedicated and trustworthy lawyer.”
Isaac Mendes
More reviews are available on the firm’s Google Business Profile.
Related Reading
- When a Dog Bites a Mail Carrier in Florida
- What Duty Property Owners Owe Visitors
- Punitive Damages in Florida Wrongful Death
Contact Jacobson Injury Firm
A dog attack that wasn’t your fault deserves a serious response. Jacobson Injury Firm represents bite victims across Coral Springs and Broward County, works on contingency, and collects no fee unless it wins a recovery. The first consultation is free, and the attorney will explain how Florida’s strict liability law applies to your situation. Contact us today to speak with a Coral Springs dog bite attorney.