Coral Springs Dog Bite Lawyer
If a dog has injured you in Coral Springs, what are your rights? Do you have to prove the owner was careless? What if the dog had never been aggressive before?
Florida law holds dog owners responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of the animal’s history. This is a legal principle called “strict liability.” It means the owner’s responsibility is the starting point. You do not need to prove the owner knew their dog might be dangerous for them to be held accountable.
At the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein, we understand the physical pain and financial pressure that follows a dog bite. Our practice focuses on helping people in your exact situation. We’re available to explain your options and handle the legal process, so you can focus on healing.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (954) 346-5420.
What Are the First Steps After a Dog Bite?
Focus on these steps right away:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even seemingly minor bites might lead to serious infections down the line. Dog mouths contain bacteria, like Capnocytophaga, which could cause severe complications. A doctor’s report also creates a formal record of your injuries, which is key evidence.
- Identify the Dog and Owner: If possible and safe, get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Ask for information about the dog’s vaccination history. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information as well.
- Report the Bite: Contact Broward County Animal Care to file an official report. In Coral Springs, you can call them directly at 954-346-4422. This creates a public record of the incident and helps authorities track potentially dangerous animals.
- Document Everything: Take clear photos of your injuries right after the attack and in the following days to show how they have progressed. Keep the clothing you were wearing. Write down everything you remember about the incident as soon as you can.
Why The Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein Is The Right Choice For Your Case
When you are hurt and uncertain, you need a legal team that offers both clear guidance and resolute representation. For over 20 years, the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein has been dedicated to personal injury cases for South Florida residents. Our practice is built on providing direct, personal attention to every client. You will work with an attorney, not be handed off to a case manager.
Our office is located here in Coral Springs at 10100 W Sample Rd, Ste 200, making us an accessible local resource. We handle all personal injury cases, including dog bites, on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless and until we secure compensation for you.
Our approach is direct: we prepare every case as if it is headed to trial. This thorough preparation allows us to negotiate from a position of strength with insurance companies, whose incentive is to settle for the lowest amount possible. We pursue the maximum compensation available under the law to cover every part of your recovery.
How Is Compensation Calculated in a Florida Dog Bite Case?
Financial compensation is designed to relieve the burdens an attack has placed on you and your family. These financial remedies, called damages, are separated into two main types.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
These are the specific, calculable expenses that have resulted from the injury.
- Medical Bills (Past and Future): This covers everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room visit to future needs like plastic surgery for scar revision, physical therapy, or counseling.
- Lost Wages: Payment for the work and income you missed during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If the injury permanently changes your ability to perform your job or earn the same income, this calculates the wages you would have earned over your lifetime.
Non-Economic Damages: The Intangible Harm
These damages acknowledge the ways the injury has affected your quality of life. They don’t have a clear price tag but are just as real.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Dog bites often leave lasting scars, especially on visible areas like the face, hands, and arms. This addresses the cosmetic and psychological weight of those scars.
- Mental Anguish and Emotional Trauma: This can include conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or a new fear of dogs (cynophobia) that changes how you interact with the world.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This addresses your inability to participate in hobbies, activities, or daily routines that brought you happiness before the incident.
A Note on Punitive Damages
In rare instances where a dog owner’s actions were intentionally malicious or grossly negligent, a court might award punitive damages. These are not meant to cover a loss but to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar conduct.
Dog Bites in Coral Springs and Broward County: What the Numbers Say
According to the Florida Department of Health, thousands of dog bite injuries are reported statewide each year. In Broward County alone, over 600 bites are reported annually—and that number may be even higher due to underreporting.
Children under 14 make up a significant portion of victims, and many of these injuries happen in residential neighborhoods, not public parks. Coral Springs, as one of Broward’s most densely populated suburbs, sees consistent reports of bites to Animal Care and local hospitals.
Your Rights Under Florida’s Dog Bite Laws
Florida law is quite specific when it comes to dog bites, and it provides strong protections for victims. It works differently than the laws in many other states.
Key Legal Concepts in a Dog Bite Claim:
- Florida Statute § 767.04 (Strict Liability): This is the core of Florida’s dog bite law. It states that a dog’s owner is liable for damages if their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. This applies even if the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous.
- The “Bad Dog” Sign Exception: The law provides a potential defense for an owner if they had an easily readable sign in a prominent place with words like “Beware of Dog.” However, this defense does not apply if the victim is under the age of 6 or if the owner’s own negligence was the main cause of the bite.
- Comparative Negligence: An owner may claim you were partially at fault—for instance, by provoking the dog. In Florida, if you are found to share some responsibility, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Trespassing: The strict liability rule generally does not apply if you were on the property unlawfully when the bite happened.
Common Types of Dog Attack Incidents:
- Classic Bites: Puncture wounds, tearing, and lacerations from a dog’s teeth.
- “Knock-Down” Injuries: A large dog might jump on someone, causing them to fall and suffer injuries like broken bones or head trauma, even if a bite doesn’t occur. The owner could still be held liable for these actions.
- Infections: As mentioned earlier, dog bites introduce dangerous bacteria into a wound. Prompt and thorough medical care is necessary to prevent serious complications.
What Happens if the Dog Has a Bite History? Florida’s Dangerous Dog Law
If the dog that bit you had previously attacked someone—or shown signs of aggressive behavior—it could trigger additional legal consequences under Florida’s Dangerous Dog laws.
Under Florida Statute § 767.12, a dog may be designated as “dangerous” if it has:
- Bitten, attacked, or endangered a person unprovoked
- Severely injured or killed another domestic animal
- Chased or menaced someone in public without provocation
- Exhibited a known pattern of aggressive behavior
What does this mean for your case?
- If the dog was previously labeled as dangerous and the owner failed to follow safety regulations (like using a muzzle or secure enclosure), they could face criminal penalties.
- In civil court, this history may support a claim of gross negligence, increasing your potential compensation.
- It also opens the door for punitive damages, meant to punish reckless behavior.
If you’re unsure whether the dog had a prior history, your attorney will investigate public records, contact Broward County Animal Care, and request incident reports.
Dealing with the Dog Owner’s Insurance Company
In most dog bite cases, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. It is important to remember that the insurance company is a business with its own financial interests.
A Conflict of Interest
The insurer’s job is to protect its company’s bottom line. This goal is in direct conflict with yours, which is to receive full compensation for your injuries. They must balance paying claims with making a profit, and that balance does not naturally tip in your favor.
What to Expect from an Adjuster:
- The Recorded Statement: An adjuster will likely call and ask for a recorded statement. They are trained to ask questions aimed at getting you to say something that could weaken your claim, such as downplaying your pain or admitting partial fault. It is best to decline this request until you have spoken with an attorney.
- The Quick Settlement Offer: An insurer might offer a low, fast settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting this offer permanently closes your case, even if you later find out you need more medical care. These early offers are almost always a fraction of what your claim is truly worth.
- Requests for Broad Medical Authorizations: The insurance company may ask you to sign a form granting them access to your entire medical history. This lets them search for pre-existing conditions to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the dog bite.
- Shifting the Blame: The adjuster may suggest you did something to provoke the dog, even if that isn’t true. This is a standard tactic to apply comparative negligence and reduce the value of your claim.
Rabies Risk and Quarantine Requirements in Florida Dog Bite Cases
When you’re bitten by a dog in Florida, one of the first public health concerns is whether the animal is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Rabies is rare, but it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear—so the law treats it seriously.
Under Florida Statute § 828.30, any dog that bites a person must be confined and observed for 10 days at an approved location—usually the owner’s home (if appropriate), a vet clinic, or an animal shelter.
Key rabies-related steps to take after a dog bite in Coral Springs:
- Ask for the dog’s vaccination history immediately.
- Request proof of current rabies shots. Don’t rely on verbal assurance.
- Call Broward County Animal Care to initiate the quarantine process.
- Get medical treatment immediately, especially if you’re unsure about the dog’s health status.
If the dog was a stray or if the owner refuses to cooperate, your doctor may recommend post-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP)—a serious, multi-shot treatment that can be costly and painful. In those cases, you may be entitled to compensation for the full cost of PEP, along with the trauma associated with undergoing it.
Including rabies concerns in your claim strengthens the legal and financial case against the dog owner, especially if they failed to vaccinate or refused to provide documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coral Springs Dog Bite Claims
What if the dog owner is a friend, neighbor, or family member?
Filing a claim does not have to mean suing a loved one personally. The claim is almost always made against their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. The purpose is to get the compensation you need from the insurance company that they have paid premiums to for this exact type of situation.
Will the dog be put down if I file a claim?
Not necessarily. A personal injury claim is a civil matter focused on financial compensation. The decision to euthanize a dog is separate and handled by Broward County Animal Care. A dog is typically only designated as “dangerous” after a formal investigation, which may consider a history of unprovoked attacks or the severity of the injury.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Florida?
The deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for most personal injury cases in Florida is now two years from the date of the incident. This was changed from four years in 2023. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
Let Us Handle the Legal Burden, So You Can Focus on Healing
You do not have to sort through this process alone. Let our firm take on the responsibility of dealing with insurance companies and meeting legal deadlines. Your job is to recover. Our job is to handle everything else.
Contact the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein today for a free, confidential case evaluation. We are here to answer your questions and explain your options. Call us now at (954) 346-5420.