When Can I Sue for a Dog Bite?

Paul Catania | April 7, 2025 | Dog Bite

Dog attacks can be both traumatic and life-altering. For victims in Tampa, FL, understanding your rights and when to sue for dog bites is critical in seeking justice and fair compensation. Experiencing a dog bite can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial burdens. This guide by Catania and Catania will walk you through determining liability, recovering damages, and safeguarding your future.

Understanding your legal rights after a dog bite is crucial in pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages resulting from the attack.

What to Do After a Dog Bite?

Taking immediate action post-bite is crucial for your health and your legal case. Here’s what you should do if a dog bites you:

1. Clean the wound: Wash the wound with mild soap and warm water for 5-10 minutes.
2. Stop the bleeding: Use a clean cloth to slow the bleeding.
3. Apply an antibiotic cream: This helps prevent infection.
4. Bandage the wound: Use a sterile bandage to cover the injury.
5. Seek medical attention: See a doctor within 8 hours to assess risks like infection or tetanus.
6. Watch for infection signs: Redness, swelling, increased pain, or fever could indicate infection.

These steps protect your health and create documented medical evidence crucial for a legal claim. If you later decide to sue for a dog bite, these medical records will prove the severity of your injuries.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can cause more than physical harm, leaving lasting emotional and psychological impacts. Common dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture wounds: Sharp canine teeth can pierce the skin, causing deep cuts.
• Lacerations and scarring: This may require stitches and could leave permanent marks.
• Nerve damage: Deep bites can harm nerves, leading to numbness or chronic pain.
• Broken bones: Larger dogs may cause fractures, especially in children.
• Psychological trauma: Many victims suffer from anxiety, PTSD, or a fear of dogs after an attack.
• Rabies or infection: Serious infections can develop if wounds aren’t treated promptly.

Any of these injuries can have long-term consequences, and consulting with skilled dog bite attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Filing a lawsuit to sue for a dog bite could ensure you receive financial recovery for both physical and emotional damages.

Can I Sue the Owner if a Dog Bites Me?

Under Florida law, dog owners are strictly liable for dog bite injuries. This applies to incidents on public property or when the victim lawfully enters private property.

Here are the main points of Florida’s dog bite statutes:

• Dog owners are liable regardless of the dog’s prior viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of such behavior.
• If a victim’s negligence contributed to the incident, the owner’s liability may be reduced based on the percentage of negligence.
• Dog owners are not liable if they display a sign reading “Bad Dog,” except in cases involving children under six or if the owner’s negligence caused damages.

Damages to Recover After a Dog Bite

Victims of dog bites are entitled to seek compensation for various types of damages, including but not limited to:

Economic Damages

Medical bills

Expenses may include emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. They may also include specialist consultations, diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or MRIs, and follow-up visits for proper healing. In severe cases, reconstructive surgery or long-term rehabilitation may be necessary, increasing the victim’s overall financial burden.

Lost wages

Injuries that impact your ability to work may entitle you to compensation for both past lost earnings and potential future lost income. Many dog bite victims require extended recovery periods, leading to financial strain.

Future medical expenses

For long-term treatments like scar revision surgery or psychological therapy. Additional healthcare costs, such as physical therapy sessions, pain management, or corrective procedures to restore mobility and function, may arise.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering

The physical and emotional anguish caused by the attack may include chronic pain, insomnia, and ongoing distress. The trauma from a severe dog bite can last for months or even years, affecting daily life and mental well-being. Victims may struggle with nightmares or post-traumatic stress disorder, making it difficult to return to normal activities.

Disfigurement

Permanent scarring or functional loss reduces quality of life and also potential social anxiety. The visibility of the scars may create issues of self-esteem, making it difficult to engage in social or professional settings. The more severe cases require reconstructive surgery, which may be expensive and emotionally exhausting.

Loss of enjoyment of life

When the injury prevents participation in activities you once enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies, or social gatherings, impacting your overall happiness and well-being. Victims may struggle with depression, anxiety, or isolation due to their injuries. Social interactions and relationships can also suffer as victims cope with their trauma and physical limitations.

Punitive Damages

While uncommon, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the dog owner acted with extreme negligence or malice. These damages serve as a punishment and deterrent, discouraging reckless behavior that endangers others. Courts typically reserve punitive damages for situations involving clear misconduct, such as failing to restrain a dangerous dog after prior attacks.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

Florida’s statute of limitations on dog bite cases is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. However, key details can affect this timeline, so acting quickly is essential. Understanding the legal timeframe ensures you can sue for a dog bite and recover the damages you deserve.

Filing as soon as possible provides several benefits. It helps preserve crucial evidence, such as medical records and witness statements, which can strengthen your case. Acting quickly also ensures that the details of the incident remain fresh in your memory, making it easier to provide an accurate account.

Build Your Case with Trusted Legal Experts

Being injured by a dog bite in Tampa, FL, requires swift legal action to ensure the best possible outcome. The attorneys at Catania and Catania have the experience and resources to handle your case while you focus on your recovery. Call us today at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation.