Dog Bite Attorney in Jupiter, FL — Florida's Strict Liability Law Puts the Owner Responsible
Dog bites are more common — and more legally straightforward — than many people realize. Florida has one of the strongest dog bite liability statutes in the country, and it applies regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggression before. If you were bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog, Florida law is on your side. Hughes and Barnard Law Firm, PA in Jupiter, FL represents dog bite victims throughout Palm Beach County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County.
Our attorneys understand the physical trauma, emotional distress, and financial burden that a serious dog attack can cause — particularly for children, who are the most frequent and most severely injured victims. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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Florida’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Statute
Florida Statute 767.04 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites that occur in public places or lawfully on private property. The key elements of Florida’s dog bite law are:
- Strict liability: The owner is liable regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before and regardless of whether the owner knew of any dangerous propensity. This is sometimes called a 'one bite free' rule in some states — Florida has no such rule.
- Public or lawful private property: The statute applies when the bite occurs in a public place or when the victim is lawfully on private property — including people who are on the owner's property with permission (guests, mail carriers, delivery drivers, neighbors)
- Comparative negligence: If the victim's own negligence contributed to the bite, their recovery is reduced proportionally. A trespasser who provoked the dog has a weaker claim than a lawful visitor who did nothing to provoke the animal.
The practical effect of Florida’s strict liability rule is significant: the dog owner cannot escape liability by claiming they had no idea the dog was aggressive, that it had never bitten before, or that the victim somehow surprised the dog. Owner liability attaches from the moment the bite occurs.
What About Injuries That Are Not a Bite?
Florida’s dog bite statute applies specifically to bites. However, Florida common law also provides a cause of action for injuries caused by a dog’s dangerous behavior that does not involve a bite — such as a large dog knocking someone down, causing them to fall and sustain serious injuries. These claims are handled under standard negligence principles rather than the strict liability statute. Hughes and Barnard evaluates all dog-related injury claims, including non-bite injuries.
Homeowners and Renters Insurance — The Primary Source of Compensation
Most dog bite claims in Florida are paid by homeowners insurance or renters insurance. Standard homeowners policies in Florida typically include liability coverage for dog bites occurring on the property, and many policies extend to bites that occur off-premises as well. This means that even if the dog owner has limited personal assets, there may be substantial insurance coverage available to compensate your injuries.
However, insurers routinely attempt to minimize dog bite settlements, particularly for soft tissue injuries and emotional distress. Our attorneys negotiate aggressively with homeowners insurance carriers and, when necessary, litigate to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
- Puncture wounds — which can be deceptively deep and prone to serious infection, including MRSA and Pasteurella
- Lacerations and tissue damage — often requiring sutures, surgical repair, and skin grafting
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement — particularly for facial bites, which are disproportionately common in attacks on children
- Nerve damage — bites to the hands, arms, and face can damage nerve tissue, causing numbness, weakness, or chronic pain
- Psychological trauma — dog attacks often cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in children, and this psychological injury is a compensable element of your claim
- Infection and disease — dog bites have a documented infection rate of 10–15%, with some infections requiring hospitalization and IV antibiotics
Children and Dog Bites — Special Considerations
Children under 10 are the most frequent victims of serious dog bites in the United States. Because children are smaller and tend to put their faces at a dog’s level, facial bites and injuries to the head and neck are disturbingly common in child attack cases. When a child is bitten by a dog, the legal process has important differences from an adult claim:
- The statute of limitations for a minor's claim does not begin to run until the child reaches age 18 — giving the family additional time to pursue the claim
- Settlements involving minor victims require court approval in Florida to ensure the settlement is in the child's best interest — our firm handles this process
- Psychological trauma awards for children in serious dog bite cases are often substantial, reflecting the long-term emotional impact of the attack
Serving Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County
Hughes and Barnard Law Firm, PA handles dog bite cases throughout Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Hobe Sound, Stuart, and Port St. Lucie. Contact us at (561) 296-9400 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Bite Claims in Florida
What if the bite happened at someone else's house?
You are ‘lawfully on private property’ as a guest at someone’s home, making the owner’s strict liability statute applicable. The dog owner’s homeowners insurance is the primary source of compensation. You can pursue a dog bite claim against a friend or neighbor without having to sue them personally — the claim is typically handled entirely through their insurance company.
The dog owner says their dog never did this before. Does that help them?
No. Florida’s strict liability statute makes prior behavior irrelevant. The ‘one free bite’ rule that applies in some other states does not apply in Florida. The absence of prior incidents does not reduce the owner’s liability under Florida Statute 767.04.
How much is my dog bite claim worth?
Dog bite settlements in Florida vary widely based on injury severity, scarring, psychological impact, and the specific circumstances of the attack. Cases involving serious scarring (particularly facial scarring), nerve damage, and psychological trauma to children can result in substantial settlements. Contact Hughes and Barnard for a free case evaluation — we will give you an honest assessment of your claim’s value based on the specific facts of your case.
Dog bite injuries deserve serious legal representation.
Call (561) 296-9400 — free consultation, no fee unless we win.