Have you suffered injuries because of a dog bite in Lakeland, Florida? The dog’s owner may be liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. You need an experienced lawyer on your side who knows how to win these often complex cases and get you the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait until your time to file a claim has passed. Contact Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law today to let us get started putting together a winning strategy for your case. Schedule your free consultation with a Lakeland dog bite lawyer or call us at (863) 999-9000 to speak with one of our attorneys.
How Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law Can Help After a Dog Bite Accident in Lakeland, FL
Dog bites can leave victims in terrible pain, and all the bills for your medical treatments only add to the stress of the situation. You may be left wondering who is going to pay for all your losses. Thankfully, the team at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law is here to help. We have 25 years of experience fighting to protect the rights of injury victims.
While some states follow the “one free bite” rule, Florida does not. Florida imposes strict liability on dog owners after a bite accident, and we can help you get the compensation you are owed.
Some ways we will help after your accident include:
- Investigating your accident to determine the circumstances that caused it
- Helping to track down the dog’s owner when necessary
- Assessing all available insurance coverage that may apply to your accident
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the attack unfold
- Handling all discussions with the dog’s owner, the insurance company, and opposing counsel
- Successfully negotiating a full and fair settlement for your injuries
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and taking your case in front of a jury when needed
If you have been hurt by a dog bite in Lakeland, Florida, contact us today to let us get started helping you. Schedule your free consultation with a Lakeland dog bite lawyer who can answer all your questions and walk you through the entire legal claims process.
What is My Dog Bite Accident Case Worth?
Many insurance companies will try to downplay your injuries and the value of your case. Each case is unique and should be evaluated based on the injuries and facts associated with that specific accident. The same type of injury may affect two different victims completely differently, thus the value of their cases could be vastly different.
Your case’s value depends heavily upon the severity of your injuries and how those injuries have affected you. Cases that deal with severe or catastrophic injuries will usually be worth much more than those that involve only minor injuries.
A few of the factors that influence your case’s value are:
- The severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatments
- How much time you missed from work and the value of your lost wages
- Anticipated future medical care needs
- Whether you will be able to go back to work
- How your relationships have been affected
- The amount of insurance coverage available
The best way to get a reliable estimate of your case’s value is to seek the help of an experienced lawyer. Contact Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law today for a free case evaluation. We can assess the details of your claim and let you know how much your case may be worth.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims of dog bites may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the dog’s owner. This means that not only can they recover their financial losses, but they can also get monetary compensation for their pain and suffering.
Economic damages are used to compensate victims for their financial losses. Determining the value of these damages is usually fairly easy because there are bills, receipts, and other documentation associated with them.
Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Physical therapy
Non-economic damages are commonly known as pain and suffering damages. These compensate victims for the physical and emotional trauma they suffered because of the accident. Non-economic damages are much more subjective, so it is more difficult to put a financial value on them.
Some common examples of non-economic damages in dog bite cases are:
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Permanent fear of dogs
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
If you have suffered damages because of a dog bite, let the team at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law help you get a full and fair recovery.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
The time after an accident is hard enough with all the medical bills waiting to be paid. The last thing you need is another expense. You might think that hiring a lawyer will just cost too much, so you prefer not to even think about it.
The good news is that hiring a dog bite lawyer will not cost you anything upfront. Most personal injury lawyers, including dog bite lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer does not require any upfront payment. Instead, their fee is taken only after they win the case as a portion of any money awarded to the client.
Fees in these cases usually range somewhere between 25% to 45% of the total amount of the recovery.
Some factors that can influence the amount the lawyer charges include:
- Your geographic location
- The complexity of your case
- Your lawyer’s experience level and success rate
- Whether your case settles or goes to trial
Per the Florida Bar, contingency fee contracts in Florida must be in writing and signed by both the client and the lawyer. The agreement should clearly explain the percentage of the recovery that the lawyer will keep and should list any other expenses that will be deducted from the recovery.
At Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, we will never charge you a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and let us go to work for you.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Dog Bite Accident in Florida?
Yes, you can still recover damages in Florida even if you are found to be partially at fault for your accident.
First, under Florida’s Dog Bite Statute 767.04, “[t]he owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place…is liable for the damages suffered by the persons bitten.”
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites. This means that dog owners are liable for damages caused by their dogs, even if they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
However, you can still be held accountable if you were partially to blame for the accident. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule for most personal injury cases. Under this rule, you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for your accident.
If you are found to share some responsibility, your recovery will be reduced by your portion of the fault. For instance, imagine you sustain $10,000 in damages after an accident. However, you are found to be 20% responsible because of your own negligent conduct. In that case, you could still recover 80%, or $8,000, of your damages from the other at-fault party.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can result in serious injuries that cause extreme pain and have long-lasting effects.
Some common types of injuries resulting from these accidents are:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries or blindness
If you have suffered any of these types of injuries or more after a dog bite, contact the experienced team at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law today. We will work with your healthcare providers to understand the full extent of your injuries and fight diligently to ensure that you are compensated accordingly.
What Causes Most Dog Bite Accidents in Lakeland, Florida?
Dogs can be unpredictable, especially those that have a natural tendency for aggression. It is sometimes impossible to tell exactly what caused a dog to bite or attack someone.
However, some of the most common reasons a dog may bite are:
- Sudden movement or noises
- Fear
- Illness
- Pain
- Previous trauma
- Provocation
Whatever the cause, the effects of a dog bite can be devastating. Let us help you through the time after your accident by working to get the compensation you are owed. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Florida?
Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including dog bites. This means that you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can have serious consequences. If you do not file your suit in time, you could be forever barred from getting any compensation for your injuries.
This is why you should always seek the help of an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. At Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, we can help you determine the filing deadline for your case and ensure you do not miss your opportunity to get a financial recovery.
Contact Our Lakeland Dog Bite Lawyers For a Free Consultation
The time after a dog bite in Lakeland, Florida can feel like a whirlwind. Let the team at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law handle your legal claim while you focus on getting better. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with a Lakeland dog bite lawyer who is ready to stand up to the insurance company and fight to protect your rights.