A dog bite happens in seconds. The injuries it leaves behind can take months to heal, and in serious cases, they never fully do. If you were bitten by a dog in Brandon or anywhere in Hillsborough County, Florida law does not require you to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. It holds them responsible regardless.
Hale Law represents dog bite injury victims across Brandon and the surrounding Hillsborough County area. No fee unless we win. Free consultations available now.
Call (813) 550-2555.
Our firm is dedicated to getting excellent results that help you get back on your feet after a serious injury.
- Does Florida Law Cover Dog Bite Injuries in Brandon?
- Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury in Florida?
- What If a Child Was Bitten by a Dog in Brandon?
- What Compensation Can a Brandon Dog Bite Victim Recover?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Florida?
- Ask Hale Law
- How Hale Law Handles Dog Bite Cases in Brandon
- Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims in Brandon, Florida
- Talk to a Brandon Dog Bite Lawyer at Hale Law
Does Florida Law Cover Dog Bite Injuries in Brandon?
Yes. Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites, which means the dog's owner is responsible for your injuries even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and even if the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous.
Under Florida Statute Section 767.04, the owner of any dog that bites a person in a public place, or lawfully on private property including the owner's own premises, is liable for the resulting damages. You do not need to prove negligence.
You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The bite itself, combined with your lawful presence at the location, establishes the owner's liability.
Florida does not follow the "one free bite" rule that exists in some other states. The first bite creates full legal liability.
Call (813) 550-2555 for a free case evaluation.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury in Florida?
The dog's owner is primarily responsible under Florida Statute Section 767.04. But depending on the circumstances, other parties may also bear liability.
What If the Dog Was on Someone Else's Property?
Property owners and landlords can face liability in certain dog bite cases even when they do not own the dog. If a landlord knew a tenant was keeping a dangerous dog on the property and failed to address it, that knowledge and inaction may create independent liability under premises liability law.
If the bite occurred at a business, the business may also bear responsibility for maintaining safe conditions for customers and guests.
What If a "Bad Dog" Sign Was Posted?
A "Bad Dog" sign may reduce a dog owner's strict liability for an adult bitten on their property, but it provides no protection when the victim is a child under six years old.
Under Florida Statute Section 767.04, a clearly visible, easily readable sign with the words "Bad Dog" posted on the owner's premises may reduce or eliminate strict liability for an adult who is bitten there. This defense does not apply when the bite victim is a child under six, and it does not protect the owner from liability based on their own separate acts of negligence. An attorney evaluates whether the sign defense applies and how it affects your specific claim.
What If a Child Was Bitten by a Dog in Brandon?
Florida law protects child dog bite victims more strongly than adults. Two rules apply that do not apply to adult victims.
The "Bad Dog" Sign Defense Does Not Apply to Young Children
A posted "Bad Dog" sign can reduce a dog owner's strict liability when an adult is bitten on their property. That defense disappears entirely when the victim is under six years old. A dog owner cannot point to a warning sign to reduce their responsibility when a young child is hurt.
The Filing Deadline Is Extended for Minor Victims
The two-year statute of limitations does not begin to run until the child turns 18. A parent or guardian can file on the child's behalf at any time before that extended deadline. Any settlement on behalf of a minor in Florida also requires court approval to protect the child's interests.
Facial injuries are disproportionately common in dog attacks on children and often require multiple surgeries with long-term consequences. An attorney documents both the immediate and future costs of those injuries from the start.
Call (813) 550-2555 if a child in your family was bitten by a dog in Brandon or Hillsborough County.
Our firm is dedicated to getting excellent results that help you get back on your feet after a serious injury.
What Compensation Can a Brandon Dog Bite Victim Recover?
Florida law allows dog bite victims to pursue the full range of damages the injury has caused.
What Economic Damages Are Available?
Economic damages include all financial losses resulting from the bite: emergency medical treatment, wound care, surgery, plastic or reconstructive surgery for scarring, infection treatment, physical therapy, and any future medical care permanent injuries require.
They include lost wages if the injury prevented you from working, and reduced future earning capacity if scarring, nerve damage, or other permanent effects limit your ability to work long-term.
What Non-Economic Damages Apply to Dog Bite Cases?
Florida law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress, permanent disfigurement and scarring, and loss of enjoyment of activities the injury has taken away. In serious attacks, particularly those involving facial injuries or injuries to children, non-economic damages can be a significant portion of the total claim.
Call (813) 550-2555 to understand what your Brandon dog bite case may be worth.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Florida?
Two years. Under Florida Statute Section 95.11, Florida changed its personal injury statute of limitations from four years to two years in 2023. Dog bite claims, whether based on strict liability under Section 767.04 or on negligence, must be filed within two years of the date of the bite.
For children, the two-year period does not begin until the minor turns 18. For claims involving a government-owned dog, such as a police K-9, shorter notice deadlines may apply before a lawsuit can be filed.
Do not wait. Medical records, photographs, animal control reports, and witness information are strongest closest to the time of the bite.
Call (813) 550-2555. Do not let the deadline pass.
Ask Hale Law
Q: The dog owner says I provoked the dog. Does that affect my claim?
A: Possibly, but it does not eliminate it. Under Florida's modified comparative fault system, if your own actions contributed to the bite, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover. Dog owners frequently raise provocation as a defense to reduce what they owe. An attorney evaluates the facts and challenges unfair fault assignments with the evidence from the scene.
Q: The dog bite happened at a Brandon park or public trail. Who is responsible?
A: The dog's owner is responsible under Florida's strict liability law regardless of where the bite occurs in a public place. Bites at public parks, trails, dog-friendly areas, and sidewalks throughout Brandon and Hillsborough County all fall under Florida Statute Section 767.04. If the location was a government-maintained park or facility, separate notice requirements may apply before a lawsuit against the government can proceed.
Q: What if the dog's owner has no homeowners or renters insurance?
A: Many dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner's homeowners or renters insurance policy. When the owner has no insurance or the policy is insufficient, an attorney investigates other potential sources of recovery, including coverage under a landlord's policy if the bite occurred on rental property, business liability insurance if the bite occurred at a commercial location, or a direct claim against the owner's personal assets.
Q: What if I was a delivery driver or mail carrier bitten while working in Brandon?
A: Delivery workers, mail carriers, and others performing lawful duties are specifically protected under Florida Statute Section 767.04 because they are legally present on private property when performing their duties. Dog bites to workers in these occupations are among the most clearly covered claims under Florida's strict liability law. You may also have a workers' compensation claim through your employer, and an attorney evaluates both avenues simultaneously.
How Hale Law Handles Dog Bite Cases in Brandon
Hale Law represents personal injury clients across Brandon and Hillsborough County from our office at 1218 Millennium Pkwy Suite 1-2, Brandon, FL 33511. Attorney Patrick Hale brings fifth-generation Florida roots and Stetson University College of Law training to every case the firm handles.
Dog bite cases require prompt action. Animal control reports, photographs of the injury, veterinary records for the dog, and witness information from the scene are most valuable close to the time of the bite. We act immediately to preserve that evidence and build the liability case before it degrades.
We document the full scope of injuries from the initial bite through any surgical treatment, scarring, and psychological effects. We handle all communication with the dog owner's insurance company. We pursue every potentially responsible party, including property owners, landlords, and businesses when the facts support a claim.
No fee unless we win. Free consultations.
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Our firm is dedicated to getting excellent results that help you get back on your feet after a serious injury.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims in Brandon, Florida
How much does it cost to hire Hale Law for a dog bite case in Brandon?
Nothing upfront. Hale Law handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fee unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free. Our Brandon office at 1218 Millennium Pkwy is available to meet with you, or we can arrange a call at your convenience.
Should I report the dog bite to animal control in Brandon?
Yes. Reporting the bite to Hillsborough County Animal Services creates an official record of the incident and initiates an investigation into the dog and its history. That report is evidence in your claim. Animal control can also classify the dog as dangerous, which affects future liability and the owner's obligations. You should report the bite regardless of whether you intend to pursue a legal claim.
What if the dog bite did not break the skin but still caused injury?
Yes. Florida dog bite law applies to injuries caused by a bite whether or not the skin was broken, and other legal theories may apply if the dog knocked you down or caused injury without biting.
Florida Statute Section 767.04 covers bites that cause damages, which includes physical injuries whether or not the skin was broken. If a dog knocked you down while attacking and you sustained a fracture or other injury, separate legal theories including negligence may also apply. An attorney evaluates the full scope of the incident, not just the bite itself, to identify every available basis for a claim.
What if the dog bite caused an infection that required hospitalization?
Dog bite infections, including serious conditions like cellulitis or sepsis, are recognized consequences of bite injuries that form part of the damages claim. All medical treatment required because of the bite, including hospitalization for infection, is recoverable as economic damages. The connection between the bite and the infection is established through medical records. An attorney documents the full medical timeline from the bite through treatment for any resulting infection.
Talk to a Brandon Dog Bite Lawyer at Hale Law
Florida law is on your side. The dog owner's responsibility does not depend on the dog's history, the owner's knowledge, or whether anyone warned you the dog was dangerous. If you were bitten, and you were lawfully where the bite occurred, the law holds the owner accountable.
Hale Law handles dog bite injury cases across Brandon and Hillsborough County. No fee unless we win. Free consultations available now.
Call (813) 550-2555 or contact us online.