Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers represents dog bite victims left with injuries at popular spots like Fort Lauderdale Beach and Canine Beach. Our dog bite lawyers offer free consultations to all injured victims with dog bite wounds. Contact our offices to find out about the support you should demand from a dog owner.
Dog Bite Dangers at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Dogs may be having fun by chasing someone along the beach and accidentally nipping someone. Some dogs may be allowed to get into a situation where they feel threatened or confused, leading to a bite.
Victims could also be bitten at a local park when a dog’s leash is permitted to get too long. People walking on the A1A along the wave wall might suffer a wound after a dog is allowed to pass too closely. You could even be at a beach that doesn’t allow dogs when a careless owner arrives anyway and exposes you to a bite threat.
As we will see below, the dog owner would be responsible for keeping other people out of unsafe situations and liable if a dog managed to bite someone.
Who Is Liable If I’m Bitten by a Dog at Lauderdale Beach?
Dog owners are held liable for almost any dog bite in Florida. Owners would be responsible for restraining their dogs at the beach if necessary to prevent injury to other people.
Florida follows the legal concept of “strict liability.” Strict liability holds dog owners responsible for every bite, no matter the dog’s history. The owner is liable for any harm a dog does to someone.
The dog owner would almost always be financially responsible for the resulting ambulance fees and emergency room costs as long as the following were true:
- The dog bite victim didn’t provoke the dog beforehand.
- The victim wasn’t trespassing on private property.
There should be no question about trespassing as long as victims were on the beach or in a public park. Your Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer would help you prove that a dog owner was fully to blame. Your attorney handles the frustrating negotiations to get you the most in injury compensation possible while allowing you time to heal.
Are Dogs Allowed on Fort Lauderdale Beach?
Dogs are allowed at certain times of day on a stretch of Lauderdale Beach known as “Canine Beach.” The times depend on the time of year. And you’ll have to register and buy a permit for your dog if you want to use Canine Beach.
The City of Fort Lauderdale allows dogs on Canine Beach during these periods.
- November – March: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m.
- April – October: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 3 to 9 p.m.
Annual permits must be purchased in person at Parks & Recreation Administration located at Holiday Park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive.
How Can a Lawyer Help If I’m Bitten by a Dog at the Beach?
If your encounter with a dog only results in minor scratches or bruising, you might not need a lawyer to assist with your case. But if your injuries are more serious, like bone fractures, or a deep bite wound, it’s a good idea to at least go over your case with a skilled Cowen Edwards dog bite lawyer.
Dog owners can usually be held fully accountable for your injury, but when their insurers see the medical bills rising, they’ll fight as hard as possible to avoid liability. They’ll look for ways to blame you for what happened. They could also downplay your injury so they can more easily convince you to sign off on a “lowball” settlement offer that doesn’t cover all of your doctor bills.
Your Cowen Edwards attorney fully investigates what happened and backs your case with hard evidence. Then your lawyer demands the maximum in compensation available for you and your family.
Compensation for Fort Lauderdale Dog Bite Victims
Your attorney will also make sure every hardship you endure and will face in the future is documented and included in a dog bite claim. Each damage you’ve had to cover must be added because it alerts an insurance company of what you expect to be compensated for. If you leave something off, insurers can ignore it. It’s a bill you’d likely have to pay yourself.
Your Cowen Edwards attorney would be demanding a dog bite settlement check that covered a few things you might not have known could earn additional support:
- Totals on current medical bills and estimates on the cost of care in the future.
- Money to pay for physical therapy treatment for victims to relearn how to walk or use their hands after nerve, tendon, and ligament damage.
- Long-term costs associated with a permanent physical disability suffered.
- Support for the physical pain.
- Support for emotional trauma victims are put through due to a frightening dog attack and a difficult recovery. This can include the PTSD symptoms suffered after a bite and the fear of all animals that may develop.
- Loss of enjoyment of life as victims are forced to give up hobbies and family activities due to injuries.
- Travel costs patients build up while going to doctor’s appointments and seeing out-of-area specialists.
- Income and benefits as victims lose time at work while injured.
What to Do If Your Child Is Bitten by a Dog at the Beach
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Dog Bite Lawyer
Dealing with injuries and the emotional fallout from a dog bite can be really difficult. But our experienced team of Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers can make a big difference in your recovery. We understand these situations well and will protect your rights, helping you get the support and compensation you deserve. We want to see you heal and get back to beach trips as soon as possible.
Don’t hesitate. Contact us now for a free consultation to get started. There’s no obligation, but if you feel we can help you earn more in an injury claim, you won’t need to have the money to pay our lawyers. Cowen Edwards doesn’t get paid unless your case is successful. Then our fee comes out of the money an insurance company must pay you and your family.
