Dog attacks happen fast and without warning, but often cause lasting and severe emotional and physical injuries. If a dog bit or attacked you in Davie or anywhere in Broward County, you have legal rights under Florida law, and those rights are stronger than most people realize.
At Rosen Injury Law, we represent dog bite victims throughout Davie and South Florida. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take, and we fight to help you secure maximum compensation for all your economic and non-economic damages. Call us at (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page for a free consultation.
Why Davie Dog Bite Victims Choose Rosen Injury Law
- Our Davie injury attorneys have recovered over $125 million for our clients and are committed to helping you secure maximum compensation for your damages.
- Our Davie dog bite injury lawyers know how insurers fight dog bite claims, and we know how to build your strongest claim to combat their tactics so you can recover the full value of your claim.
- You can meet with our Davie dog bite injury lawyer at no charge to discuss your claim. We will listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your options. If we take your case, we will fight tirelessly to recover every dollar you are entitled to.
- We will handle your claim on a contingency fee basis, covering all costs associated with pursuing your claim upfront. You pay us nothing until we recover compensation for you.
Florida’s Strict Liability Law
In many states, a dog owner can avoid liability for a bite by arguing that they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies. That is known as the so-called “one bite rule.” Florida does not follow that approach. Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites.
Under Florida Statutes § 767.04, a dog owner is liable for damages if their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before and regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You do not have to prove negligence in the traditional sense. You do not have to show that the owner had prior warning. You simply need to establish that the bite happened, that you were in a location where you had a legal right to be, and that you suffered injury as a result.
This strict liability framework reflects Florida’s policy judgment that dog owners, not innocent victims, should bear the consequences of their animals’ behavior. It also means that common defenses used in other states, such as “my dog never did this before” or “I had no idea he would bite,” carry very little legal weight in Florida.
There is one limited exception. If the property is posted with a clearly visible “Bad Dog” warning sign, a dog owner may use that posting to reduce their liability in cases involving adults. This defense does not apply to children under six years old, who are protected under Florida law even if they entered a property uninvited. An experienced Davie premises liability attorney or dog bite injury lawyer can evaluate how this exception may or may not apply to your specific situation.
Where And How Most Dog Attacks Happen
Davie is a community built around residential neighborhoods, parks, and outdoor spaces, places where dogs are a constant and welcome presence for many families. But that same environment creates regular opportunities for dog attacks. Common scenarios we see in Davie dog bite cases include:
- Neighborhood encounters: Dogs that are not properly secured can escape yards or break free from leashes during walks. When an unleashed or inadequately restrained dog attacks a pedestrian, cyclist, or jogger on a public street or sidewalk, the owner is strictly liable for the resulting injuries.
- Visits to private homes: Friends, family members, repair workers, delivery drivers, and others who are lawfully on someone’s property have the same protections. A dog bite that occurs during a social visit or while someone is working on the premises is covered under Florida’s strict liability statute.
- Apartment communities and shared spaces: Davie has a significant number of apartment complexes, townhome communities, and shared residential developments. When residents bring dogs into common areas, elevators, or parking lots and a bite occurs, both the dog’s owner and potentially the property management company may face liability.
- Delivery and service workers: Mail carriers, package delivery workers, and utility workers are among those most frequently bitten by dogs. These workers are at heightened risk precisely because they regularly approach unfamiliar properties where dogs are present, and they are legally on the premises while doing so.
- Children at play: Children are disproportionately represented among serious dog bite victims, particularly for facial injuries. Their smaller size and inability to accurately read an animal’s body language put them at greater risk, and Florida’s strict liability law offers them particularly strong protection.
Leading Injuries Caused by Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dog bite injuries range from minor to catastrophic, and they are rarely as simple as a single wound. The force of a dog’s bite can cause damage that extends well beyond the initial puncture or laceration. Common injuries we see in Davie dog bite cases include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations, which are often deep and frequently require stitches or surgical closure, are prone to infection.
- Avulsion injuries, where tissue is torn away, sometimes exposing underlying muscle or bone
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage may be caused by a bite that reaches deep tissue and severs or compresses nerves.
- Crush injuries and broken bones from the force of a dog’s jaw
- Traumatic brain injuries from being knocked to the ground during an attack
- Infections, including dangerous bacterial infections such as Pasteurella, and, in cases involving unvaccinated animals, the risk of rabies treatment
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress, phobias, anxiety, and depression
Children are particularly vulnerable to facial injuries because of their height relative to a dog’s mouth. Severe facial wounds may require multiple surgeries and reconstructive procedures and can leave visible, permanent scarring that affects a child’s social and emotional development well into adulthood.
How a Davie Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Can Help You
A Davie dog bite injury lawyer can protect your rights, build your strongest claim, and help you secure maximum compensation for your damages. Your chances of a successful outcome are much greater when an experienced dog bite injury lawyer represents you.
Contact a Davie Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
If a dog or animal attack has injured you, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation for your damages. At Rosen Injury Law, our Davie dog bite injury lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to help you secure maximum compensation. Call us today at (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your Davie dog bite injury claim.