Our firm has been representing residents of Volusia and Flagler Counties and the Orlando area for more than 40 years. Due to the potential long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a dog bite, if you or your child has been bitten, it is important that you speak with an attorney about your legal rights. At Rue & Ziffra Law Offices, we offer free consultations and compassionate representation. We can help make sure you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.
Unlike other states, Florida does not have a “one free bite” rule that protects dog owners. In Florida, a dog owner can be held liable the first time their dog attacks, and proof that the dog had a “vicious propensity” is not required. This is clear under Section 767.04 of the Florida Statutes:
“The 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, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.”
Simply put, this means: If you or your child has been bitten by someone else’s dog, you are entitled to seek just compensation. You do not need to prove that the owner was at fault for allowing the attack to occur. Generally, the owner can only dispute your claim if:
However, even in these scenarios, you may still be entitled to partial compensation for the financial and non-financial costs of your (or your child’s) injuries.
When you look online, you will find no shortage of law firms claiming to represent dog bite victims in Volusia and Flagler Counties. So, why should you choose Rue & Ziffra Law Offices for your dog bite claim?
We are “Your Local Attorneys” for dog bite claims in Volusia and Flagler Counties. With three convenient office locations and 24/7 accessibility, we are there when and where you need us.
We have been representing clients in Volusia and Flagler Counties since 1976, and our ten attorneys have over 195 years of combined legal experience.
When we represent you, we put your interests first. We will not play “hide the ball,” and we will not ask you to settle for less than you deserve.
With our team approach, you truly have nearly 200 years of legal experience on your side. Unlike other firms, we do not assign cases to paralegals or individual attorneys.
We are proud to serve the members of the communities where we live and work. From sponsoring local events to helping residents recover just compensation, we believe in doing our part to make our community a better – and safer – place for everyone.
At Rue & Ziffra Law Offices, every case starts with a free consultation, and we do not charge any fees or costs unless we win just compensation. As a result, you truly have nothing to lose by speaking with our team of experienced attorneys.
After a serious injury or accident, victims and their families have many questions in mind. We encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation, so we can personally address all your questions and concerns.
Meanwhile, these are a few of the most common questions we hear from our clients.
Under Florida law, there are circumstances in which a dog may be classified as a “dangerous dog.” The most common scenario is where a dog has previously bitten or otherwise severely injured a human being. If a dog that has been classified as a “dangerous dog” attacks you, in addition to facing liability in your civil case, the owner can also face criminal penalties.
Owners of “dangerous dogs” have an obligation to take certain affirmative steps to prevent harmful attacks. These include:
All serious injuries from a dog bite are eligible for financial compensation. This includes injuries from the bite itself as well as injuries you sustained if you fell during the attack. The types of injuries for which financial compensation is available to include:
Yes. Under Florida law, dog bite victims are entitled to seek financial compensation for all of their injury-related losses. This covers both the physical and psychological effects of dog bite injuries. In addition to the physical injuries listed above, dog bite victims will often be entitled to additional compensation for:
In addition to seeking financial compensation for your medical bills and the traumatic effects of your injuries, if you are unable to work due to a dog bite, you can also seek financial compensation for your loss of income. This includes:
To protect your legal rights after a dog attack in Florida, there are some important steps you should try to take as soon as possible. These include:
To learn more about your rights in a free and confidential consultation, please call (386) 788-7700 or contact us online. Let us use our decades of legal experience in Central Florida to help you win the compensation you and your family deserve