Dog bites in Broward County can cause serious injuries, including deep wounds, infections, scarring, and nerve damage. Many victims require ongoing medical treatment and miss time from work, creating both physical and financial challenges.
Florida law provides strong protections for dog bite victims. Under the state’s strict liability statute, a dog owner may be held responsible for bite injuries even if the dog has never shown prior aggression. A valid claim generally requires showing the owner controlled the dog, the bite occurred, and you were in a public place or lawfully on private property at the time.
Miller & Jacobs Accident Attorneys represents dog bite victims throughout Broward County and can help you understand your rights, investigate the incident, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Call (954) 784-2277 today for a free consultation.
Table of contents
- What Is Florida's Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites?
- How Does Miller & Jacobs Handle Dog Bite Claims Differently?
- What Defenses Do Dog Owners and Their Insurers Raise After a Bite?
- What Injuries and Damages Do Dog Bite Victims Pursue in Broward County?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Broward County?
- FAQs for Broward County Dog Bite Lawyers
- Take Action with Broward County Dog Bite Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs
What Is Florida's Strict Liability Law for Dog Bites?
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites. That means the dog owner is responsible for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or displayed aggressive behavior. Florida Statute § 767.04 makes the owner liable as long as the victim was in a public place or lawfully present on private property at the time of the attack.
What Three Things Must a Bite Victim Prove Under § 767.04?
A bite victim pursuing a strict liability claim in Florida must prove three things: the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit the victim, and the bite happened while the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property.
There is no requirement to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous tendencies. That framework makes Florida one of the most protective states in the country for people injured by dogs.
What Does Lawfully Present on Private Property Mean?
Under § 767.04, a person is lawfully present on private property if they are there by the owner's express or implied invitation, or if they are carrying out a duty imposed by law. The categories of people who meet this standard in Florida dog bite cases include:
- Invited guests, friends, neighbors, and family members visiting the dog owner's home or yard
- Mail carriers, package delivery drivers, and utility workers performing duties required by law or regulation
- Customers and clients entering a home-based business or meeting with the property owner for a professional purpose
- Children invited to play at the home by other members of the household, including the owner's own children
Someone who enters the property without permission or invitation is generally considered a trespasser and falls outside the strict liability statute. However, a trespasser may still pursue a negligence claim depending on the circumstances of the attack.
How Does Miller & Jacobs Handle Dog Bite Claims Differently?
We handle dog bite claims differently because the evidence in these cases is unlike anything in a standard car accident or fall injury file. The key questions revolve around the animal itself: its history, its owner's behavior, and the insurance policy that may cover the loss. Mark J. Miller and Rick S. Jacobs built our firm on the prosecutorial principle that cases are won through early, aggressive fact-gathering.
Mark brings more than 70 jury trials of courtroom experience from both prosecution and insurance defense, which means he knows how homeowners carriers evaluate and defend bite claims. Rick tried more than 160 cases before juries while serving as a prosecutor in the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office.
The Evidence We Target in Animal Attack Cases
Dog bite investigations follow a different path than other personal injury claims. The evidence our team prioritizes in Broward County animal attack cases includes:
- Animal control reports documenting the incident, any citations issued to the owner, and whether the dog has been classified as dangerous under Florida Statute § 767.11
- The dog owner's homeowners or renters insurance policy, which serves as the primary source of compensation in most bite claims and may contain breed exclusions or prior-incident limitations
- Neighbor testimony and prior complaints to animal control that establish a pattern of aggressive behavior, loose containment, or failure to leash the dog
- Progressive photographs of the wound at every stage of healing, from the initial bite through surgery, scarring, and any reconstructive procedures
We have recovered more than $150 million for injured clients, and every animal attack case runs on contingency. Our Pompano Beach office at 1600 S. Federal Highway, Suite 1101, sits minutes from Fort Lauderdale.
carWe also serve clients throughout Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and statewide through our Orlando and Tampa offices. Beyond dog bite claims, we handle premises liability cases, car accidents, pedestrian crashes, and other personal injury matters.
What Defenses Do Dog Owners and Their Insurers Raise After a Bite?
Dog owners and their homeowners insurance carriers raise several defenses to reduce or eliminate what they pay after a bite. Some of these defenses target the victim's behavior, while others rely on specific provisions in the statute itself.
What Is the Bad Dog Sign Defense?
The Bad Dog sign defense under § 767.04 provides a potential shield for the owner. If the property displayed a prominent, easily readable sign including the words "Bad Dog" at the time of the bite, the owner may avoid strict liability.
Two exceptions limit this defense: it does not protect the owner when the victim is a child under six years old, and it does not apply if the owner's own negligent conduct contributed to the bite.
What Other Defenses Come Up in Broward County Bite Cases?
Beyond the Bad Dog sign defense, the arguments our dog bite attorneys encounter most frequently in Broward County include:
- Comparative negligence, where the insurer argues the victim provoked the dog by teasing, startling, or agitating the animal before the attack
- Trespassing, where the owner claims the victim was not lawfully present on private property and therefore falls outside the protection of § 767.04
- Assumption of risk, where the defense argues the victim knowingly placed themselves in a situation where a bite was foreseeable, such as interacting with a dog that was visibly restrained or muzzled
- Pre-existing conditions, where the insurer attributes the victim's scarring, nerve damage, or emotional distress to causes unrelated to the bite
Under Florida's modified comparative fault rule in Florida Statute § 768.81(6), a victim found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing. Thorough documentation of the circumstances surrounding the bite, the absence of warning signs, and the dog's prior history pushes back against each of these arguments.
What Injuries and Damages Do Dog Bite Victims Pursue in Broward County?
Dog bites produce a range of injuries that frequently require treatment well beyond the initial emergency room visit. The physical damage, the risk of infection, and the psychological impact all factor into the value of a claim.
What Injuries Are Typical in Dog Bite Cases?
Bite victims in Broward County commonly present with the following types of injuries:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations that damage muscle, tendons, or nerves and require surgical closure or repair
- Facial injuries and disfiguring scars, especially in attacks on children, that may require multiple rounds of reconstructive or plastic surgery over several years
- Infections including cellulitis, MRSA, pasteurella, and in rare cases rabies exposure, all of which demand prompt and sometimes prolonged medical treatment
- Emotional and psychological harm, including anxiety around animals, post-traumatic stress, nightmares, and behavioral changes in children following an attack
If the dog attack caused you to fall and sustain a head injury, the long-term impact could be even greater—find out what your claim might be worth by reading our guide on head trauma compensation.
What Categories of Compensation Apply to Dog Bite Claims?
The compensation a dog bite victim may pursue in Broward County typically spans the following categories:
- Emergency medical treatment, wound care, hospitalization, surgeries, and projected future procedures including scar revision and reconstructive work
- Lost income from time away from work during treatment, along with any long-term reduction in earning ability if the injuries cause lasting physical limitations
- Physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact of visible scarring or a lasting fear of animals on daily life and personal relationships
- Out-of-pocket costs for counseling, therapy sessions, and any changes to daily routines required during recovery
Homeowners insurance policies are the primary source of compensation in most dog bite cases, but many policies exclude specific breeds or dogs with documented bite histories. Our attorneys confirm coverage and identify any exclusions early in every case. Call (954) 784-2277 to discuss your situation.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Broward County?
Florida gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. Florida Statute § 95.11, as amended by House Bill 837, applies to both strict liability claims under § 767.04 and negligence-based claims arising from animal attacks. Once the deadline passes, the court bars the case.
Does the Filing Deadline Work Differently When a Child Is the Victim?
If the bite victim is a minor, Florida Statute § 95.051 may toll, or pause, the statute of limitations until the child reaches 18. That tolling provision gives families additional time, but it does not eliminate the need for early action.
Animal control records, witness memories, and the dog owner's insurance information all become harder to obtain as months and years pass. Consulting with a Broward County dog bite attorney soon after the attack is always a good idea.
FAQs for Broward County Dog Bite Lawyers
How long do I have to sue after a dog bite in Broward County?
Two years from the date of the bite under Florida Statute § 95.11. This deadline applies to both strict liability and negligence claims. If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be tolled until the child turns 18.
Does the dog owner have to know their dog is dangerous for me to have a case?
No. Florida follows a strict liability standard under § 767.04. The owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggression. You only need to prove ownership, that the dog bit you, and that you were lawfully present when it happened.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites in Florida?
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites. Some policies exclude specific breeds or dogs with prior bite histories. Our attorneys review the owner's policy early to confirm coverage and identify limitations that may affect recovery.
What if the dog owner posted a Bad Dog sign?
A prominently displayed Bad Dog sign may provide a defense under § 767.04, but only if the victim is six years old or older and the owner's own negligence did not contribute to the bite. If either exception applies, the sign does not shield the owner from liability.
What compensation is available after a dog bite in Florida?
Compensation may include medical expenses, future surgeries and scar revision, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of ongoing care, and the available insurance coverage.
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite in Broward County?
If the dog owner's homeowners insurer denies the claim, offers a settlement that does not cover your medical bills and scarring, or argues that you provoked the animal, having legal representation protects your right to full compensation. We take every animal attack case on contingency, so you pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we win.
What if the dog that bit me has never bitten anyone before?
Florida's strict liability statute holds the owner responsible regardless of the dog's prior behavior. You do not need to prove the dog had a history of biting. The owner is liable under § 767.04 as long as you were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite happened.
What if I was bitten by a dog at an apartment complex?
The dog's owner faces strict liability under § 767.04, and the landlord or property management company may face a separate negligence claim. If the landlord knew the tenant's dog was dangerous and failed to enforce lease provisions, remove the animal, or warn other tenants, that failure may support an independent claim against the property owner.
Take Action with Broward County Dog Bite Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs
If you were bitten by a dog in Broward County, Florida law may allow you to recover compensation without proving the dog had a history of aggression. However, insurance companies still investigate every claim and often look for ways to reduce what they pay.
Miller & Jacobs Accident Attorneys represents dog bite victims throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood. Our attorneys handle these cases by gathering evidence early, evaluating insurance coverage, and applying Florida’s strict liability law to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and lasting injuries.
You do not pay any upfront fees. All dog bite cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning fees are only owed if compensation is recovered. To discuss your situation, call (954) 784-2277 for a free consultation.