Coral Gables Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs have been our greatest companions for thousands of years. People breed certain dogs specifically for their easygoing and friendly nature. However, because of our familiarity with them, many people forget that dogs can and will bite if they are provoked, threatened, or afraid. In the case of a rabid dog, it may attack with no provocation or threat at all.

Dogs bite millions of people in the United States every year – 4.5 million on average. Of those bites, 800,000 require medical attention. Statistically, that means a dog bites 1 out of every 73 people.

Dog bites can seriously injure, especially children. If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog in Coral Gables, hire an experienced dog bite attorney. Our dog bite lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner will hold the dog owner accountable and prevent future injuries from happening to others. Remember, even if the owner of the dog that bit you is a friend or neighbor, you should still seek legal counsel. Your actions can prevent the dog from harming another person. Call the Steinger, Greene & Feiner office in Coral Gables at (786) 220-2990.

Relentless Representation

Florida law states that the owner of a dog that bites someone in a public or private place, including on the property of the dog owner, is liable for damages suffered by the bitten person. Florida is also a strict liability state, meaning a dog owner can be held liable for damages even if they were unaware of their dog’s aggressive tendencies. If you have been injured in Coral Gables, call our office at (786) 220-2990 or contact us online at your convenience or visit us in person: 120 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
Even with these rather strict laws, dogs will continue to bite people in Coral Gables if the proper actions are not taken. Steinger, Greene & Feiner have decades of experience fighting for victims who were bitten by dogs. If you were bitten by a dog and decide to press charges, you may be able to recover compensation under one of the following legal theories:

• Negligence and negligence per se. To recover compensation based on the dog owner’s negligence, the injured person and their attorney must prove:
  • The owner had a duty to take reasonable care to control the dog’s behavior around other people
  • The owner failed to exercise that duty of care
  • The owner’s negligence directly caused the victim’s injuries

Negligence per se is a personal injury law under which a dog owner may be held liable if they violated the laws meant to protect the public from dangerous dogs in Coral Gables.

• Scienter. Under scienter, also called the “one bite rule” and “common law strict liability,” the victim of a dog bite in Coral Gables can recover compensation from the owner or keeper of the dog if they were aware of the dog’s aggressive history or previous attempted bites.

You don’t need to make excuses for the dog or dog owner – dog bites are a serious and problematic reality for many people in Coral Gables. They can lead to infection, broken bones, and even the need for reconstructive surgery. You can help keep dangerous dogs off the streets by contacting a dog bite lawyer at Steinger, Greene & Feiner today.

Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs’ jaws are meant to crush and tear. They can exert more than 450 pounds of pressure per square inch, causing puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bones, and even internal organ damage. The following are common injuries that occur from dog bites:

• Skin and soft tissue damage. Because dogs’ teeth and jaws are so powerful, their bites can cause tears, lacerations, or abrasions on the skin. Even if a bite does not break the skin, a dogs’ teeth can cause damage and bruising to soft tissues.
• Internal organ damage. Dogs bite with such force that their teeth can penetrate the chest wall, leading to collapsed lungs, internal bleeding, deep bruising, and other complications.
• Facial wounds. Canine bites on the face can cause severe damage to the eyes, ears, and nose, especially the periorbital and nasal bones. Facial nerve and tear duct damage, ptosis (an abnormally lowered eyelid), and blood loss can occur from facial injuries.
• Infections. You should seek medical attention immediately if a dog bit you and broke your skin. Bacteria from the dog’s mouth can enter your body and infect the wound. If the infection is left untreated, the bacteria will spread to other parts of the body, which is a serious and deadly condition. Dog bite infections include:
  • Cellulitis. This is a bacterial infection of the skin that makes the affected area appear red, swollen, painful, and warm to the touch.
  • Septic arthritis. This can occur if an infection travels from another part of your body via bloodstream or if bacteria are delivered directly into the joint through a bite.
  • Osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. Like septic arthritis, osteomyelitis can either spread via bloodstream or surrounding tissue or begin in the bone itself.

Many victims of dog bites never receive compensation for their injuries. If they do, it’s usually a minimal amount provided by the dog owner’s insurance carrier. If you or a family member have been bitten by a dog you should seek medical attention first.

When determining how much a dog bit is worth, courts and insurance companies factor in pain and suffering on both a physical and mental level. The average dog bite claim in Florida settled for $43,893.

Then, contact an experienced dog bite attorney in Coral Gables. Steinger, Greene & Feiner will fight to recover the compensation you need. Our dog bite attorneys will negotiate with the insurance carrier or take the case to court if the settlement is not equitable with your injuries.

Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (786) 220-2990 today.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Although dogs have been companions to humans for thousands of years, some of their primitive instincts are still intact. Biting is one of them. When a dog feels threatened or scared, they might resort to their instincts and bite a human; however, just because these are natural instincts, they are not permissible. Our Coral Gables personal injury lawyers fight relentlessly to achieve fair and equitable settlements and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury.

Dogs must be properly trained so they do not exhibit aggressive or violent behavior. Serious injuries can occur if a dog owner does not train and treat their pet correctly or with enough care. That is why that owner may be held liable for damages.

Reasons why a dog may bite unprovoked include:

• Running away from a dog, whether during exercise or because it exhibited signs of aggression. This may trigger a  dog’s herding or predatory instincts.
• Being near a frightened dog. Even if you keep your distance, an abused or abandoned dog may lash out.
• Injury or illness. If a dog is in pain or is feeling unwell, they may bite someone who approaches to help.

Why Choose Us?

Most of the time, dogs are perfectly friendly. They play, exercise, and relax with us. It only takes a second for a dog to suddenly change and become violent. Dogs bite with such force that they can break bones, damage internal organs, and leave their victims with severe injuries that require reconstructive surgery.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Coral Gables, you don’t have to make excuses for the animal or their owner. Take matters into your own hands and hire an experienced dog bite attorney. For over two decades, Steinger, Greene & Feiner have helped dog bite victims recover compensation and move forward with their lives. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney today. Let us help you move forward, too. Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner today at (786) 220-2990.