St. Cloud Dog Bite Lawyer
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 48.2 million households across the United States have a dog as a pet, with over 76 million dogs registered as pets nationwide. We consider dogs to be man’s best friend, but not all dogs are friendly and not all pet owners are diligent in keeping others safe from a dangerous dog. When a dog bite attack occurs the results can be devastating for victims and their families, and at Draper Law Office our experienced and dedicated St. Cloud dog bite lawyers are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve. Call or contact our office in St. Cloud today to schedule a free consultation of your case.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
When it comes to dog bite attacks, states either adopt a “one bite” rule or strict liability in these cases. The “one bite” rule allows pet owners to escape liability if their pet has never shown aggressiveness in the past and has never bitten anyone before. However, Florida has adopted strict liability in dog bite attacks, which holds a pet owner liable for any injuries, including those caused by a first bite. Under strict liability, victims of dog bite attacks do not need to prove negligence on the part of the pet owner, merely that the attack occurred and the bite resulted in actual injuries to the victim.
What Dogs are Likely to Bite?
Studies have been done which show that certain breeds are more likely to attack than others. The breeds most likely to be involved in a dog bite attack include the following:
- Pitbull,
- Rottweiler,
- Mastiff,
- German Shepherd,
- Bullmastiff,
- Doberman Pinscher,
- American Bulldog,
- Cane Corso,
- Chow-Chow,
- Husky,
- Wolf-hybrids, and
- Mixed dogs involving these breeds
Children under five years old are the most common victim of dog bite attacks, followed by the elderly over sixty-five years old. Most dog bite attacks happen at the home of the animal, but an attack can happen anywhere.
Injuries Caused by Dog Bite Attacks
There are many factors that can influence the severity of the injuries in a dog bite attack, including the size and breed of the dog, the force of their bite, and the age of the victim. Some of the most common injuries reported after a dog bite attack include the following:
- Head and neck injuries,
- Facial trauma,
- Eye injuries,
- Puncture wounds,
- Tearing of soft tissues,
- Broken bones,
- Nerve damage,
- Rabies,
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological trauma.
Dog bite attacks also have the potential to cause secondary injuries, such as infection, when germs from inside the dog’s mouth are transferred to the wound. This type of incident also often results in serious emotional and psychological trauma that can have lasting effects for victims.
Call or Contact Our Office Today
Have you or a loved one been attacked by a dog in the St. Cloud area? If so, the experienced personal injury lawyers at the Draper Law Office are here to help. Call the office or contact us now to schedule a free consultation of your case today.
