An unexpected dog attack can change everything in seconds. Whether you're walking through your neighborhood, visiting a friend, or going about your daily routine, animal attacks can be terrifying and cause significant harm to their victims.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite in Pompano Beach, the relief of knowing you don't have to face the aftermath alone can be immense. Call (877) 848-5297 for your free consultation with an experienced Pompano Beach dog bite lawyer at Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys.
What You Need to Know About Pompano Beach Dog Bite Claims
- Statute of Limitations: You have 2 years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit.
- Owner Liability: Florida's strict liability law means the owner is responsible even if the dog never bit before.
- No Upfront Fees: We handle cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Free Consultation: Call us at (877) 848-5297 to discuss your case for free.
Benefits of Working With Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys
When choosing Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys, you should experience peace of mind knowing you're partnering with a legal team that brings 50 years of collective experience to your case.
Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to fighting for injured victims, recognizing that each case represents a person whose life has been profoundly impacted by another's negligence.
Over the years, our firm has recovered more than $90 million for our injured clients, including those affected by dog bites throughout the state of Florida. Recognized for our commitment to quality, ethical standards, and client care, we strive to deliver skilled service.
We approach each case with the understanding that behind every file is a real person dealing with real consequences. Our attorneys are committed to fighting for the full compensation you're entitled to after an attack. We work on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if and when you do.
We Understand Florida Dog Bite Laws
Florida operates under specific statutes that protect victims of dog bites. Under Florida Statute 767.04, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries their animals cause.
That means victims don't need to prove the owner or handler knew their dog was dangerous or that they were negligent in controlling their pet. However, understanding how Florida's dog bite laws apply to your specific situation requires experienced legal guidance to secure fair settlements for your injuries.
We Establish Premises Liability
Our Pompano Beach dog bite attorneys don't just focus on the dog owner's direct liability; they also consider the dog owner's potential liability. We also look into premises liability claims when attacks occur on someone else's property.
This means that if a property owner or occupier fails to maintain safe conditions or doesn't adequately warn visitors about the presence of dangerous animals on their premises, they can also be held responsible.
- Dog owners and their family members
- Property owners where the attack occurred
- Landlords who knew about dangerous dogs on their rental properties
- Pet sitters, dog walkers, or boarding facilities
- Employers, if the dog was used for business purposes
Determining all potentially liable parties is essential for maximizing your compensation, as multiple insurance policies or assets may be available to cover your damages. Our legal team conducts thorough investigations to identify every possible source of recovery for our clients.
Aggressive Pursuit of Justice
At Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys, we don't simply file paperwork and hope for the best—we aggressively pursue justice for our clients through comprehensive case preparation and strategic litigation.
Our Pompano Beach dog bite attorneys understand that insurance companies usually attempt to minimize payouts by questioning the severity of injuries or shifting blame to the victim.
We counter these tactics by building strong cases supported by medical evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis, ensuring that insurance companies and opposing attorneys understand we're prepared to take cases to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation.
Don't delay speaking to a qualified Pompano Beach dog bite lawyer. Under Florida law, dog bite victims only have two years to pursue compensation for their damages—call (877) 848-5297 to schedule a free consultation now.
Compensation for a Pompano Beach Dog Bite
Dog bite victims are entitled to seek actual damages that reflect the true impact of their injuries and losses. The law recognizes that dog attacks often result in both immediate medical expenses and long-term consequences that can affect victims for years to come.
Our experienced attorneys work diligently to calculate the full extent of your damages, ensuring that no aspect of your injury-related losses goes uncompensated.
Special Damages
Special or economic damages represent the financial losses you've incurred as a direct result of the dog attack. Medical expenses generally form the most significant component of special damages. However, all monetary losses are reimbursable and should be valued in your claim.
Types of special damages dog bite victims may recover are as follows:
- Medical and surgical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Mental health expenses
- Prescription costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damages
- Transportation costs to and from medical appointments
- Home care services costs for in-home assistance during recovery
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Special damages are easier to calculate because they involve specific bills and documented losses.
Our dog bite attorneys ensure that insurance companies don't overlook any legitimate expenses. We maintain detailed records of all injury-related costs and collaborate with financial experts as needed to project future economic losses. Our goal is to ensure that you don't incur any current or future costs if the attack wasn't your fault.
General Damages
General damages compensate victims for the non-economic impact of their injuries, recognizing that dog attacks cause suffering extending far beyond medical bills and lost income.
Florida Law does not cap or limit general damages for dog bite victims. That means victims with catastrophic injuries or disfigurement and significant scarring may see substantial settlements.
Depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life and future, we may determine monetary value for the following general damages:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for your physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by your injuries. Dog bite injuries often involve significant pain during recovery, permanent scarring that affects self-confidence, and ongoing discomfort that impacts daily activities and relationships.
- Mental Anguish: Recognition of the psychological trauma that frequently accompanies dog attacks, including anxiety, depression, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many victims find that the emotional impact of a dog attack lingers long after physical wounds heal, affecting their ability to feel safe in previously comfortable situations.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the reduced ability to participate in activities and experiences that previously brought joy and fulfillment to your life. Dog bite injuries can prevent victims from engaging in sports, hobbies, social activities, and other pursuits that once defined their happiness and personal satisfaction.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Recognition of the permanent physical changes that dog bite injuries often leave behind, including visible scars, nerve damage, and altered appearance. Beyond the physical marks, these injuries can negatively impact self-esteem, social confidence, and the way victims interact with the world around them.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation available to spouses of dog bite victims for the loss of companionship, affection, and support resulting from their partner's injuries. Serious dog bite injuries can strain marriages and family relationships, and Florida law recognizes these intangible but real losses.
General damages can require legal assistance to quantify because they don't come with specific bills or receipts. Still, they're often a significant component of a dog bite settlement.
Our attorneys work with healthcare professionals, psychologists, and industry experts to document the full extent of your non-economic losses. We understand that severe dog bite injuries can fundamentally change how you experience life.
At Miller and Jacobs, Accident Attorneys, we fight to ensure that your compensation reflects the profound impacts of your accident.
Wrongful Death Benefits in Florida
When dog attacks result in fatalities, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims under Florida Statute 768.19. Wrongful death benefits help families cope with the sudden loss of their loved one and the financial hardship that often follows.
While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a family member, these benefits provide essential support during an incredibly difficult time and hold liable parties accountable for their negligence.
Wrongful death benefits include:
- Economic Damages: Compensation for the financial support the deceased would have provided to family members, including lost income, benefits, and services they performed for the household. We work alongside economists and financial experts to determine the value of lost financial support over the deceased person's expected lifetime, ensuring that families receive adequate compensation for their economic losses.
- Non-Economic Damages: Recognition of the emotional and relational losses experienced by surviving family members, including loss of companionship, guidance, and protection. Florida law allows certain family members to recover damages for the mental pain and suffering caused by their loved one's death, acknowledging that some losses cannot be measured in dollars but still deserve compensation.
- Survivor Benefits: Additional compensation for the deceased person's medical expenses and pain and suffering between the time of injury and death, if applicable. When dog attack victims survive for any period after their injuries, their estates may recover damages for the pain they endured and the medical care they received before succumbing to their injuries.
Wrongful death claims involve complex legal procedures and strict deadlines that require immediate attention from an experienced Pompano Beach dog bite lawyer.
Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys handle these sensitive cases with the compassion families deserve while aggressively pursuing the compensation needed to secure their financial future. We understand that no settlement can bring back your loved one, but holding responsible parties accountable can provide a sense of justice and help prevent similar tragedies from occurring to other families.
Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys Fight for Maximum Compensation
Insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their bottom line, which means they utilize tactics they've designed to minimize payouts to dog bite victims. We protect our clients from these unfair practices by handling all communications with insurance representatives on their behalf. Our dog bite attorneys ensure your rights are preserved throughout the claims process.
Our experience handling insurance claims provides us with insight into their strategies. We have developed targeted strategies to counter their tactics and secure maximum compensation.
Insurance companies commonly use these tactics to reduce claim payouts:
- Requesting recorded statements designed to trap dog bite victims into saying something that reduces their claim value
- Disputing the extent of injuries by arguing that medical treatment was unnecessary or excessive
- Claiming that victims were partially responsible for the dog attack to reduce compensation
- Offering quick, low settlements before victims understand the full extent of their injuries and losses
- Delaying claim processing to pressure victims into accepting inadequate settlements due to financial strain
- Requiring extensive documentation and repeatedly requesting additional information to discourage claimants
- Using surveillance to gather evidence that can be taken out of context to suggest victims aren't as injured as claimed
We've seen these tactics numerous times and know how to respond effectively to protect our client's interests. Our legal team handles all aspects of your claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance adjusters, ensuring that you can focus on recovery while we fight for fair compensation. When insurance companies realize they're dealing with experienced attorneys who won't be intimidated or misled, they're more likely to offer reasonable settlements that reflect the actual value of your case.
Contact a Pompano Beach Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Dog bite injuries can leave lasting physical and emotional scars that impact every aspect of your life, from your ability to work and enjoy activities to your sense of safety and security.
At Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys, we understand the profound impact these injuries can have on victims and their families. Our experienced legal team possesses the knowledge, resources, and determination to take on insurance companies and negligent dog owners who attempt to evade responsibility for the harm they've caused.
Don't let insurance companies take advantage of your situation or pressure you into accepting inadequate compensation for your injuries. Contact Miller and Jacobs Accident Attorneys today at (877) 848-5297 to schedule your free consultation with a trusted Pompano Beach dog bite lawyer.
We'll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand what your dog bite claim may be worth, all at no cost to you. You deserve justice for what you've endured, and we're here to get it.