Cowen Edwards, PLLC helps victims of dog bites in Fort Lauderdale. A dog bite can happen to anyone, but when it happens to someone with a disability, it’s especially troubling. Living with a disability is challenging enough, but when something as complicated as a dog bite happens, it can make everything more difficult. Our team is here to make things easier, starting with a free consultation to talk about what comes next.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite?
In Florida, people with disabilities have the same rights and legal protections as anyone else when it comes to dog bite injuries. But getting through that process can be especially tough when the person hurt already faces daily challenges. You’re not required to hire a lawyer in this situation—but having the right support can take a big weight off your shoulders. We’re here to:
- Listen to your story and understand the impact on your loved one’s daily life
- Figure out where things went wrong—whether it’s a negligent pet owner, a landlord who ignored the risk, or another party
- Walk you through the legal steps in plain English so you’re never left guessing
- Collect the evidence needed to build a strong claim—medical records, photos, witness accounts, and more
- Deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to
When someone living with a disability is seriously injured, the last thing you should have to worry about is paperwork and red tape. Let us handle the legal side while you focus on helping your loved one get back on track.
Who’s Responsible When a Dog Bites Someone With a Disability?
Under Florida law, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites someone. That means it usually doesn’t matter whether the dog has acted aggressively before or not—the owner is still going to be responsible for the injuries.
While this is relatively straightforward in a legal sense, it does open things up a bit in real-life scenarios. It basically comes down to what happened–and where the bite happens. Dog owners are going to be primarily responsible, but others can share some of the legal responsibility, like:
- Landlords
- Property owners
- Store managers or employees (if it’s dog friendly)
- City government (if the bite happens on city property)
Basically, everyone involved in this situation has a legal duty to keep caregivers or those with disabilities safe. If they were careless, ignored leash laws, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack, all of these people can be held accountable under Florida’s dog bite statutes and premises liability rules.
Why Are People With Disabilities More Susceptible to Dog Bites in Fort Lauderdale?
Even with strict liability, there’s certain aspects of a dog bite on a person with disabilities that make things more complicated. First, it’s important to understand why someone with a disability is more susceptible in the first place:
- Communication differences – Some people with disabilities may not be able to clearly express fear, pain, or confusion, which can lead to misunderstandings between people and dogs.
- Mobility limitations – Wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices can make it harder to move away from a dog or avoid certain situations.
- Caregiver or service animal involvement – If someone depends on a caregiver or service dog, there may be more complexity in how the incident came about.
- Lack of supervision – Like with young children, some people with intellectual or developmental disabilities may not fully understand how to safely interact with animals.
While Florida law does make some exceptions—like if someone provoked the dog or was trespassing—those rules are often applied differently when the person bitten has a disability. The law recognizes that not everyone has the same level of understanding, mobility, or awareness.
Still, insurance companies might try to argue that the bite victim was partly at fault. That’s where Florida’s comparative negligence rule comes in—damages could be reduced if they claim the injured person’s actions contributed to what happened. It doesn’t stop you from filing a claim on their behalf, but it does underscore the importance of having what’s needed for a strong claim.
How Can I Build a Stronger Dog Bite Claim When a Person with a Disability is Bitten?
A dog bite on someone with a disability usually goes far beyond physical injuries. They often disrupt daily care routines, therapy schedules, emotional health, and long-term independence. That’s why it’s so important to approach these claims with care—and why building a strong foundation from the start matters. Here’s how you can do that:
- Get checked out as soon as possible – Even if the bite doesn’t look serious, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Be sure to mention any disabilities or health conditions—the more your medical team understands, the better they can treat you and document how the injury affects your overall well-being.
- Get information about the dog and owner – If possible, ask for the dog owner’s name, contact info, and insurance details. If they leave the scene or refuse to share, let authorities know—that could become a key part of your case later.
- Report the bite to Fort Lauderdale Animal Control or local police – Making an official report helps create a record of what happened and could lead to an investigation—especially if the dog has a history of aggression or wasn’t leashed.
- Hold on to anything that shows what happened – Photos of the injury, torn clothing, broken assistive devices—anything connected to the incident should be saved. Medical records, therapy notes, and even emails or texts with doctors or insurers can all help tell the full story.
- Pay attention to what changes after the bite – Has daily life gotten harder? Is someone missing school, work, or therapy? Are caregivers stepping in more than usual? These changes might not be obvious at first, but they matter—especially when showing how the injury disrupted everyday life.
Dog bites are often preventable. And for some people—especially those with developmental or communication challenges—there may be extra risks when interacting with animals. But once someone gets hurt, the focus has to shift to healing and making sure the legal process is handled the right way.
What Happens Legally After a Dog Bite Involving a Person With a Disability?
For all of its inherent differences and real-world problems, a dog bite on someone with a disability is looked at the same way as any other dog bite claim in terms of what happens legally. Basically, the person that’s bitten has the legal right to file an injury claim against the dog’s owner and whoever else is responsible. Importantly, though, if the person isn’t able to file the claim themselves because of their limitations, you (or some other caregiver) can file on their behalf. And to do that, it usually means:
- Filing an insurance claim out of court.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit.
With the claim filed, the focus turns to what the bite cost you or your loved one—physically, emotionally, and financially. For someone with a disability, damages can include:
- Medical bills, hospital stays, follow-ups, and long-term therapy
- Replacement of assistive devices that were broken or damaged
- Missed work or loss of caregiver time
- Emotional distress, trauma, or changes in behavior
- Setbacks in recovery or rehabilitation
- Loss of mobility, independence, or confidence
- In tragic cases, funeral costs and emotional loss if the bite was fatal
Florida gives most people two years to file a dog bite claim. However, if the person injured is legally unable to handle their own legal affairs due to a disability, that deadline may be extended. Still, don’t wait—insurance companies often try to push back, and you may need medical records or evaluations to show why the timeline should pause.
Disabled Dog Bite Victims in Fort Lauderdale Can Turn to Cowen Edwards
If you have a disability or someone you care for does and is bitten by a dog in Fort Lauderdale, Cowen Edwards, PLLC is here to help you sort through what comes next. Let’s talk through your options—starting with a free consultation that’s built around your needs. You can turn to our team for guidance and support.
