Pensacola Dog Bite Lawyers
Representing Victims of Serious Dog Attacks
Most dogs are beloved members of the family—but even the most trusted pet can still be unpredictable. When dogs bite, leading to serious injury or death, the dog owner can be held liable under Florida’s strict liability statute. In most cases, the victim or victim’s family does not need to prove that the dog owner was somehow negligent in preventing the bite.
Bringing a successful dog bite claim against a dog owner, property owner, or another party can be challenging, especially without the help of a skilled lawyer. If you, your child, or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, reach out to the Pensacola dog bite lawyers at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott. We have extensive experience handling these types of personal injury claims and can move quickly to protect your rights and your recovery.
Reach us online or by phone at (850) 695-8331 to schedule your initial consultation and case review with our legal team.
Understanding Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Rule
Unlike some states that follow a “one-bite” rule when it comes to dog bites, Florida follows a plaintiff-friendly “strict liability” rule in these cases.
This means that dog owners are generally considered liable for injuries caused by their dogs when both of the following are true:
- The injury was caused by a dog bite
- The victim was in a public place, such as a park, or a private place, such as a home, with the private property owner’s expressed or implied permission
If you were bitten by a dog, you do not need to prove that the owner knew about the dog’s propensity to bite in order to have a claim against the dog owner. You also do not have to prove that the dog had bitten anyone before or had acted aggressively in the past, nor do you have to prove that the dog owner acted negligently or negligently failed to act.
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Are Dog Owners Liable Whenever Their Dog Bites a Person?
Florida law imposes strict liability on dog owners. This means the owners are liable whenever their dog bites another, regardless of whether the owner was being careful or negligent with the dog and whether the owner had any reason to believe the dog might be dangerous. The only exception is when the owner had a “Bad Dog” sign posted prominently in the yard and was not otherwise negligent, but this exception only applies if the victim of the attack was six years old or older.
Alabama dog bite law is a little more complex. Generally speaking, an owner who is careless with the animal, such as allowing it to roam free off-leash, can be liable for injuries caused. Even without negligence, an owner can still be held strictly liable in certain circumstances, but the amount of damages may be reduced if the owner had no knowledge that the animal may be dangerous.
What Sets Us Apart
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Work Directly With Your Attorney
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Welcoming and Laid-Back Atmosphere
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We Always Return Phone Calls Within 24 Hours
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We Treat Our Clients Like Family
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Over $100 Million in Recoveries
Our Clients
Say It Best
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I really appreciated all the hard work that this law firm put in for me and how nice the people were that worked on my behalf.Dewitt L.
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I was very pleased with the service and the recovery of my lost wages.Ann M.
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I love you all so much. Thanks for all of your hard work! If I ever need to come back it will be you guys. Thanks.La Rheasa M.
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Has always done it correctly and thoroughly. You can give complete trust to J.J. and the whole Talbott staff.Brian C.
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J.J. and his staff have been wonderful assisting both myself and friends in a balcony collapse. We could not have made it through this process without them and I highly recommend them to anyone needing legal assistance. They explained every step of the process as we went through it and they definitely had our best interest at heart.Amanda M.
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The Law Office of J.J. Talbott and his assistant Holly were very good at working my case to get me the maximum amount of money that I was entitled to. J.J. always personally returned phone calls and explained to me in detail what we were doing along the way. Thank you so much for everything!Darcy C.
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He reminds me of a young Johnny Cochran. They were both born with skills and then polished them….. He is a true attorney! I would recommend him to anyone and I would give him a 10 out of 10.Langford C.
Common Dog Bite Injuries & Damages
Dog bites and attacks can lead to severe injuries and even deaths. This is especially true when the victim is a child, which, sadly, is often the case. Of the approximately 850,000 people who seek medical attention for dog bites each year in the U.S., about 400,000 are children.
Some of the most common dog bite-related injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Face injuries
- Broken skin
- Nerve damage
- Severe bleeding
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Tissue damage
- Abrasions and lacerations
To make matters worse, dog bites put victims at an increased risk of serious and even life-threatening complications, such as infections, rabies, tetanus, and more.
The effects of a dog bite or attack can be extreme, often leading to significant physical, psychological, and financial challenges. At the Law Office of J.J. Talbott, we fight to hold dog owners and other liable parties accountable for all of our clients’ damages.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be owed compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Future care costs
- Lost income/wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Lost earning ability
- Lost quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Anguish and trauma
- Inconvenience
Our goal is to recover every cent you are owed. We want to help you not only secure the financial resources you need to obtain medical care and manage unexpected expenses but also the justice you need to heal.
How the Dog Bite Lawyers at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott Can Help
Dog attacks are traumatic experiences, and victims deserve justice. At the Law Office of J.J. Talbott, our Pensacola dog bite lawyers understand the emotional trauma you have been through, as well as the many challenges you now face as a result of a dog bite or attack. As your legal team, we will be there to provide the ongoing support, counsel, and compassion you deserve as we help you navigate the legal process. We can take care of everything, from gathering evidence and negotiating with the insurance company or opposing counsel to litigating your case and protecting your rights at trial.
When you trust your recovery to our firm, you can trust that we will do everything possible to maximize your settlement. If necessary, we are prepared to represent you in the courtroom. To date, we have recovered more than $100 million in compensation for our clients; find out how we can assist you with your dog bite or dog attack claim today.
Call (850) 695-8331 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an attorney at our firm.