The statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims in Florida is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the attack to properly file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not meet this deadline, the court could dismiss your case, and you will lose any legal recourse you have against a liable party or their insurer.
A Florida animal attack lawyer can help you meet your legal deadline, but the process starts with you making the first call. The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the sooner they can begin working on your case to seek maximum compensation.
Dog Bite Injury Claims Fall Under the Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
If you suffered dog bite injuries, you have the right to take legal action against the dog owner through a personal injury lawsuit. These types of lawsuits are subject to Florida Statutes § 95.11, which allows you only two years to file your lawsuit.
This time frame ensures lawsuits are brought forward in a timely manner, and all involved parties have ample opportunity to obtain evidence that may be lost or deteriorate over time. The truth is that this is actually a very short window of time to build a case.
Keep in mind that a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer has to investigate the animal attack, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and potentially negotiate with an insurance company. All this has to happen before you begin litigation, regardless of whether your case began with an insurance claim.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Filing a Dog Bite Insurance Claim in Florida
You may begin seeking compensation by filing a claim through the dog owner’s insurance policy. Many dog owners have general liability insurance, renters insurance, or homeowners insurance coverage designed to cover certain types of losses in the event of a dog bite or attack.
However, when it comes to dog bite liability, many insurance policies exclude certain dog breeds. The dog owner may or may not know that their dog has been excluded from coverage, meaning the insurance company will not cover your costs. If this is the case, you have an alternative option to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
What Happens if You Fail to Comply With the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Injury Claims in Florida?
If you fail to file your lawsuit before time runs out, you can expect the court system to bar you from pursuing your case through litigation.
This could severely limit your ability to maximize your financial compensation. If the statute of limitations expires, you will no longer be able to obtain judgment in civil court.
Unless you are entitled to compensation through an insurance settlement or your attorney can negotiate a settlement outside of court with the liable party, you may miss out on compensation you may have otherwise secured.
How an Animal Attack Attorney Can Help You Meet Your Legal Deadline for a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Florida
An experienced animal attack lawyer can take crucial actions from day one to protect your rights and ensure you don’t get blindsided by this strict filing deadline.
Initiating the Case in a Timely Manner
As soon as you hire a personal injury law firm, a legal team can get to work conducting an urgent investigation while the evidence is still fresh. This includes:
- Interviewing witnesses
- Acquiring video or photo evidence
- Reviewing animal control reports
- Identifying all potential defendants
- Evaluating legal liability theories
A lawyer can then advise you of whether an insurance claim or a legal action would be more appropriate. For example, they can review the dog owner’s insurance policy to see what it would cover.
Monitoring the Two-Year Countdown
After filing an insurance claim, an animal attack lawyer can diligently monitor the two-year statute of limitations. If settlement negotiations stall or delays occur, they can take action to file a lawsuit filed before the deadline expires.
Work With Your Doctors to Assess Your Losses
Dog bite injuries can be severe, especially since they can spread diseases like rabies and Capnocytophaga to people. This particular infection can potentially cause life-threatening medical complications, such as kidney failure and heart attacks.
A dog bite lawyer will advise you to seek medical assessment and treatment immediately. Even if you believe you just suffered a scratch, get a doctor’s opinion. They can prescribe necessary antibiotics to stave off harmful infections and diseases.
An attorney can also use your medical records, bills, and your prognosis to seek fair compensation. This may include damages for both current and future losses. You don’t want to leave any money on the table when negotiating with an insurance company, and you will need evidence of your losses.
Turn to Our Florida Animal Attack Law Firm for Help With Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
The statute of limitations could have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. The Schiller Kessler Group can get started on your case immediately since we work on a contingency basis. You don’t have to save up money for legal representation because we do not charge upfront fees.
Our legal team has over three decades of combined experience, and our case results speak for themselves. Call us today to work with an experienced Florida dog bite lawyer with The Schiller Kessler Group. We can discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
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