Get medical care immediately
Bite wounds carry serious infection risk, and documentation of your treatment starts your case on the right foundation.
Orange Park - Jacksonville - Clay, Duval & St. Johns County
North Florida Dog Bite Lawyer
Florida holds dog owners strictly liable for bites in most cases, even if the dog never bit anyone before. And because most victims are bitten by a dog belonging to someone they know, these claims come with worries no one talks about. Let's talk about them honestly.
- Free consultation - no fee unless we win your case
- Florida is a strict liability state - "he never bit anyone" is not a defense
- The claim is almost always with insurance, not your neighbor personally
Call 904-353-9000 or text the SMART Line™ at 904-639-5308 anytime.
Free consultation · No fee unless we win
From Attorney Jeff Soud
It was my neighbor's dog. I do not want to sue them.
Most dog bite victims know the dog's owner. A neighbor, a friend, a relative. That is exactly why so many people with serious injuries never make a claim, and why insurance companies count on your silence.
In nearly every case, the claim is paid by insurance. Dog bite claims are typically covered by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Your neighbor pays their premium every month for exactly this situation. Making a fair claim is what that coverage is for.
Many cases resolve without a lawsuit ever being filed. We deal with the insurance company so you do not have to strain the relationship. And if your case needs to be tried, I am prepared to try it.
What Florida law says about dog bites
Florida is a strict liability state. Under Florida's dog bite statute, the owner of a dog that bites someone in a public place, or lawfully in a private place, is generally liable for the damages, regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. There is no "first bite free" rule here.
Children are the most common serious victims. Bites to children are often to the face and head, and the scars can be physical and emotional. These cases deserve careful, compassionate handling, and future treatment like scar revision has to be accounted for before any settlement.
Deadlines apply, and evidence fades here too. A statute of limitations applies to your claim. Photographs of the injuries, the scene, witness accounts, and animal control records need to be gathered early, while they still exist.
What to do after a dog bite
Four priorities, in order.
Report the bite to animal control
The county report documents the incident and the dog's history. It also protects the next person.
Photograph everything
The injuries as they heal, the location, the dog if it is safe to do so. Scars change over time, and photos preserve what the insurance company will later try to minimize.
Talk to us before you talk to any insurer
Call 904-353-9000 or text the SMART Line™ at 904-639-5308 anytime. Do not give a recorded statement before you understand your rights.
Dog bite questions, answered
The dog never bit anyone before. Does the owner still owe me?
Generally yes. Florida's dog bite statute imposes strict liability on owners in most situations, regardless of the dog's history. "He has never done that before" is not a defense to a Florida dog bite claim.
I was bitten by a friend's or neighbor's dog. Will they have to pay out of pocket?
In nearly every case, the claim is covered by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not paid personally. Many claims resolve without a lawsuit ever being filed. We handle the insurance company so the relationship does not have to carry that weight.
My child was bitten. What should I know?
Children are the most common serious victims, and bites to the face and head can require future care like scar revision that must be valued before any settlement. Get medical care, photograph the injuries as they heal, report the bite to animal control, and talk to a lawyer before accepting anything.
What if the bite happened on the owner's property?
Strict liability generally applies if you were lawfully on the property - invited guests, mail carriers, and service workers included. The details matter, so bring them to a free consultation.
What does a dog bite lawyer cost?
The consultation is free and we work on a contingency fee. You pay no fee unless we win your case.
What about attacks by other animals?
Injuries caused by other animals can also support a claim, though different legal standards may apply than for dog bites. If an animal hurt you or your child in North Florida, call us and we will give you a straight answer about whether you have a case.
Scars heal. Evidence disappears faster.
Photographs, witness accounts, and animal control records need to be gathered while they still exist, and a statute of limitations applies to your claim. The consultation is free, and you will get a straight answer about your case.
Office: 904-353-9000