Dog bites may not be an everyday occurrence, but when they do happen, the expert West Palm Beach dog bite lawyers at Winegar Law can help you through this unexpected time. Dog / animal bite cases involve strategic coordination with local law agencies, animal control, and insurance companies. The following guide offers a glimpse into the legal world of West Palm Beach dog bite laws as well as actionable steps that can prevent one from occurring.

When a dog bites you, your body enters into fight-or-flight mode, leaving you shaken and unsure what to do. Once you get over the initial jolt of fear, put your health and well-being first.

Prioritize Safety

Your health comes first. If emergency services are needed, dial 911 immediately — especially if serious bleeding is involved. While waiting for help, you can access guidance on safe bleeding control from reputable sources like the American Red Cross or the Mayo Clinic.

Don’t delay medical attention

Getting medical attention as early as possible will set you on the most efficient healing path. Risk of infection or rabies can be hidden in even the smallest bite. Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. After you’re treated, you’ll also have an an official record that will help if you decide to take legal action with a West Palm Beach dog bite lawyer.

Document the injury

Photograph the wound and surrounding areas, as well as any clothing damage. Record the time, date, location, and anything else you can remember. Collect information from any witnesses and ask for details about the dogs owner and its vaccination records.

Report the Incident to Animal Control

Animal control services in West Palm Beach can assess current potential dangers, and help protect the public from future incidents. If your dog bite occurred in West Palm Beach, you can reach out to:
Palm Beach County Animal Bite Investigation: (561) 233-1215

Understand your legal options

The best dog bite lawyers in West Palm Beach know how to craft a legal strategy that helps you receive quality medical care and maximizes compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. For a complimentary case review, call us today!

Let the experts at Winegar Law Injury Lawyers handle all the legal aspects so you can focus on recovering (561) 717-0447

The biggest difference is that dog bite laws have a simpler burden of proof. While most personal injury claims require proof of negligence, dog bite and animal attack cases only have to prove the bite happened — and that it caused damage. In West Palm Beach, owners are responsible for injuries caused by their animals under Florida’s strict liability law.

Limited defenses for animal owners

Owners may argue that the dog attacked because it was provoked, for example, by hitting or teasing the dog.  Other defenses may be the victim was trespassing or “should have known” about the dog’s aggressive history. Attempts could be made to downplay the seriousness of the injury. Regardless, all of these are difficult to prove because Florida law puts the focus on the dog’s behavior and the owner’s responsibility to control it, not on proving negligence.

Insurance Coverage is optional

Dog bite liability coverage would be offered within homeowners’ and renters’ policies. While some insurance policies will cover certain pet attacks, this is optional and not universally included. One of our skilled dog bite attorneys can uncover all sources there may be for compensation.

Mandatory Reporting Requirement

Not all personal injury cases require your injuries to be be reported. Serious animal attacks, however, must be reported to animal control. A serious injury could be defined as one that punctures the skin, involves sutures, or requires any type of medical treatment.

Additional compensation may be available

In addition to medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering — animal attacks often involve scarring, disfigurement and emotional distress due to the psychological impact. Our skilled dog bite lawyers in West Palm Beach know how to build a case that can maximize all areas of compensation.

Don’t wait to reach out! The sooner you begin, the greater your chances of success.
By starting early, our dog bite lawyers have time to plan, prepare and optimize your efforts.

Remember any dog can bite, not just “aggressive breeds”. Knowing more about the common triggers that cause dogs to bite can help you avoid them by recognizing situations where the odds are higher than normal to . We realize

1. Fear & Anxiety: Unfamiliar faces, loud noises, or new environments can trigger defensiveness from anxious dogs. Keep an eye out for tucked tails, flattened ears, or signs the dog is actively trying to avoid you. Respect the dog’s space and avoid direct eye contact.
   
   
2. Protecting their Domain : Dogs value their belongings and personal zones. This can include food bowls, favorite toys, comfy beds, or even specific areas in a room. Respecting boundaries can help you avoid reactions that lead to bites. If you see a dog near its “treasure trove,” don’t approach or reach for the object.
   
   
3. Pain / Discomfort: Aches and pains from arthritis, ear infections, or other injuries can cause unexpected snaps. Limping, whimpering, or excessively licking a specific spot on their body may indicate pain in a dog. A dog in pain might react unpredictably, even to friendly gestures
   
   
4. Pent-Up Energy: Unfulfilled mental and physical needs lead to frustration and boredom in dogs. Signs that may a dog might attack include: excessive barking, chewing, pacing, or jumping.
   
   
5. Playful Misunderstandings: Roughhousing fun can be misinterpreted as aggression by some canines. Watch for stiff body, growls, and “whale eyes” (showing the whites of their eyes).
   
   
6. Maternal Protection: Mother dogs will fiercely protect their puppies, so approach with caution.
   
   
7. Brain Health:  Like humans, dogs can experience changes in thinking and behavior due to mental diseases. Watch for signs like confusion, difficulty following commands, or unusual pacing.
   
   
8. Miscommunication Bites: Dogs can misinterpret sudden moves, stares, or close contact as threats and will react uniquely to our actions. Start slow, avoid surprises, and read their body language
   
   
9. Confinement Aggression: Dogs, as well as other wild animals that attack are frustrated when confined. Lack of exercise or being unable to access something they want may resort to biting.
   

Statistics specifically related West Palm Beach dog bites are hard to report on accurately. The NCRC makes it known that currently there is no national system setup for tallying dog bites. Reports are generally made to local agencies across the country. Reaching out to your local Animal Control Services would be best for the highest level of accuracy.

Family Dog vs Resident Dog Statistics

Family Dogs are those whose owners keep them in or near the home and integrate them into the family, while a Resident Dog is one that is confined and isolated from regular, positive human interactions. According to a report for the years 2000-2015 referenced at the NCRC, Family Dogs are rarely involved in Dog Bite Related Fatalities. 70.4% are related to Resident Dogs.

How many people are bitten by dogs annually in the United States?

According to Forbes.com, every year around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. While many of them are just minor nips, an estimated 800,000 people each year must seek medical attention. Other key points in the article linked above:

• Nationally, less than 1% of dog attacks resulted in death as of 2022
  
  
• Children ages one to four are much more likely to result in death when attacked by animals.
  

What types of injuries are most common from dog bites?

The CDC reports that puncture wounds are the leading injury type after being bitten. Furthermore, dogs tend to target certain body parts over others. The CDC reports the following data about the location of dog bite injuries:

Arms & Hand Injury: 45.3%

Leg & foot Injury: 25.8%

Head / Neck Injury: 22.8%

Even though precise statistics for dog bites in West Palm Beach aren’t as readily available, we can use national statistics for a better understanding. Dogs are everywhere, whether you own them, work with them, or simply see them in your daily life. By understanding the bigger picture nationally, we can avoid becoming a statistic ourselves if we know how to avoid common scenarios that increase the likelihood of an attack.

At Winegar Law Injury Lawyers, our dog bite lawyers know that accidents will happen and we have the experience you need to help you recover. Call today (561) 717-0447

While there is no way to speculate a specific amount that applies to everyone, a free case evaluation from Winegar Law Injury Lawyers can help reveal the strength and unique aspects of your case. In the meantime, you can prepare by asking yourself the following questions:

• What are the physical and emotional impacts of your injuries?
  Are they minor scratches with short term treatments or more serious wounds with long term consequences?
  
  
• What medical treatments have you received so far and what will you need in the future?
  Consider doctor visits, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation and therapy
  
  
• Has the bite affected your ability to work or reduced your earning potential?
  Have you missed workdays, had hours reduced, or unable to continue in your current role?
  
  
• Are you experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or fear as a result of the incident?
  Beyond physical injuries, pain and suffering takes the lasting emotional impact into consideration.
  
  
• Did the bite occur in a public place or on private property?
  Were you on someone’s property and allowed to be there, or did the bite occur at a public park or sidewalk?
  
  
• Are there records of previous attacks by the same animal?
  Evidence of prior incidents or warnings can strengthen your case
  
  
• Did you contribute or provoke the animal attack in any way?
  Shared fault isn’t a major factor in West Palm Beach dog bite cases, however, your lawyer should be aware of potential evidence against you.
  
  
• Do you have evidence of the incident?
  Medical records, witness statements and photos will help build your case.

Although dog bite cases are not one-size-fits-all, the questions offered can be a starting point to help you understand more about the factors involved. They also shed some light on the types of questions you may encounter when approaching top West Palm Beach dog bite lawyers. Each case is unique and involves its own legal strategy. At Winegar Law Injury Lawyers, we’ll provide you with personalized legal guidance and an action plan that can increase your chances of success.

Best of all — there’s no fee if we don’t win — Call today (561) 717-0447