Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer

Legal Help After a Serious Dog Bite Injury

Dog attacks can happen suddenly and leave lasting physical and emotional scars. You may be dealing with painful wounds, infection concerns, missed work, and a child or loved one who is now afraid of dogs. In the middle of this, insurance questions and medical bills can feel overwhelming.

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers helps injury victims in the Tampa Bay area pursue accountability after dog bites and other serious injuries. Our firm has represented local families since 1955 and focuses its practice on personal injury and wrongful death cases. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (727) 591-3354 to request a free case review and speak with our team.

Florida Dog Bite Law

Florida follows a “strict liability” rule for dog bite incidents. This means a dog owner may be held legally responsible if their dog bites someone—regardless of whether the dog had shown aggressive behavior in the past.

Under Florida Statutes § 767.04, a dog owner can be liable if the bite occurs:

• In a public place, or
• Lawfully on private property (including the dog owner’s property)

Victims do not have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. However, there are certain defenses dog owners may raise, such as:

• The victim was trespassing
• The victim provoked the dog
• A visible “Bad Dog” sign was posted (in some circumstances)

Our Tampa dog bite attorney can evaluate your case, determine how the law applies, and build a strong claim for compensation.

Common Injuries from Dog Attacks

Dog bite injuries can range from minor wounds to life-altering trauma. Many victims require emergency medical care, reconstructive surgery, and long-term treatment.

Common dog bite injuries include:

1. Deep puncture wounds
2. Torn ligaments and muscle damage
3. Broken bones
4. Infections, including rabies or sepsis
5. Nerve damage
6. Permanent scarring or disfigurement
7. Psychological trauma, especially in children

Children are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries because of their size and limited ability to protect themselves. A legal claim can help families recover the resources needed for treatment and recovery.

Recovering Compensation After a Dog Bite in FL

A successful dog bite claim may allow victims to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, we work to pursue the full value of your claim, which may include:

Medical expenses:

• Emergency care
• Hospital stays
• Surgery and rehabilitation
• Medications and follow-up care

Lost income:

• Wages lost while recovering
• Reduced earning capacity

Pain and suffering:

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Anxiety, PTSD, and fear of animals

Permanent injuries:

• Scarring and disfigurement
• Disability or long-term complications

In fatal dog attack cases, families may also pursue wrongful death damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional loss.

Who May Be Liable for a Dog Bite?

While dog owners are most often responsible, liability can extend beyond them depending on the circumstances. A Tampa dog bite attorney will investigate all potential sources of compensation.

Possible liable parties include:

• Dog owners
• Property owners or landlords who allowed a dangerous dog on the premises
• Caretakers or dog walkers
• Businesses that failed to control animals on their property

Insurance coverage—such as homeowners or renters insurance—often plays a key role in these claims.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Tampa

Taking the right steps after a dog attack can protect your health and your legal rights.

1. Seek immediate medical attention.
2. Report the incident to local animal control or authorities.
3. Document injuries and the scene with photos.
4. Get contact information for the dog owner and witnesses.
5. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney.

Early legal guidance can help preserve evidence and strengthen your claim.

Dog Bite Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Florida?

Florida law generally allows victims two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.

What if the dog never bit anyone before?

Florida’s strict liability law means owners can still be held responsible even if the dog had no history of aggression.

Can I file a claim if I was bitten on private property?

Yes. As long as you were lawfully on the property, you may have a valid claim.

What if I was partially at fault?

Compensation may still be available. Florida follows a comparative negligence system, meaning damages may be reduced based on your level of responsibility.

Do most dog bite cases settle?

Many claims are resolved through insurance settlements. However, if a fair offer is not made, your attorney can pursue litigation.

Why Injured Dog Bite Victims Choose Us

When you are looking for a dog bite lawyer, you want more than a name on a billboard. You want a firm with stability, resources, and a clear record of standing up for injured people. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has served the Tampa Bay community since 1955 with a focused commitment to personal injury and wrongful death law.

Our firm was the first in Pinellas County to limit its practice exclusively to personal injury. That history reflects a long-standing choice to represent injury victims, not to treat these cases as one part of a broader practice. Over the decades, we have recovered more than $675 million for clients in serious personal injury and wrongful death matters, which shows the level of cases we are trusted to handle. Every case is different, and past results cannot predict future outcomes, but they do show that we have the experience and resources to pursue substantial claims.

Several of our attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, a distinction held by fewer than 2 percent of Florida lawyers. Board Certification reflects advanced training and testing in civil trial practice. For dog bite victims, this matters because many cases involve disputed liability, complex medical issues, and negotiations with insurers who respond to trial readiness.

We also structure our work so that an attorney remains directly involved in your case. Our team intentionally limits delegation, which means the lawyer responsible for your claim manages it from start to finish and stays accessible when you have questions. We build every claim with the expectation that it may go to court, which strengthens the file for settlement discussions and shows that we are prepared to keep going when fair outcomes are not offered.

To talk with a dog bite lawyer Tampa residents can turn to for guidance after a serious injury, contact us today.