Bradenton Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
We represent adults and children hurt in dog attacks. In most cases the claim is paid by the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not out of the owner's own pocket.
Free ConsultationDog Bite Injury Attorneys in Bradenton
A dog bite is easy to underestimate. The puncture wounds can go deeper than they look and they get infected easily, and a bite to the face or hands can leave scarring that never fully fades. CDC researchers have estimated that about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. every year, roughly 885,000 of them badly enough to need medical care. Children between 5 and 9 are injured at a higher rate than any other age group.
The Podor Law Firm handles dog bite cases across Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, and our Solon office takes cases in Ohio. Many of these claims involve a neighbor's dog or one that belongs to friends or family, which is part of why people hesitate to make one. In most of those cases the claim is paid by the owner's insurance company.
What to do after a dog attack
Get medical care first, even if the bite looks small. Dog bites get infected more often than ordinary cuts, and the notes from that first visit become the main record of how badly you were hurt.
If you can, photograph the wounds and the place where the attack happened, and keep any torn or bloodied clothing, since it may be used as evidence. Write down the owner's name and contact information if you don't already have it, plus the names of anyone who saw the attack. In Manatee County, animal bites are reported to the Department of Health, and a dog that bites someone is usually quarantined for 10 days so it can be watched for signs of rabies.
After that, talk to a lawyer before you give a statement to the owner's insurance company. We look at who is legally responsible and which insurance policies apply. The value we put on the claim includes care you may need later, such as scar revision surgery.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
- Puncture wounds and torn skin
- Facial injuries, which are more common in children because of their height
- Broken bones, usually from being knocked down
- Nerve and tendon damage, especially in the hands
- Infections such as MRSA and tetanus (rabies is rare in pet dogs, but it still has to be ruled out)
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Anxiety and PTSD, particularly in children
- In the worst cases, death
How Florida Law Treats Dog Bites
| Strict liability | The owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never bitten anyone and the owner had no idea it might. Fla. Stat. 767.04 |
|---|---|
| Where it applies | Public places, and private property where you were lawfully present, including the owner's own home. Invited guests, contractors, delivery drivers and mail carriers all count. Fla. Stat. 767.04 |
| "Bad Dog" sign | A clearly posted sign with the words "Bad Dog" can protect the owner, but not when the person bitten is under 6 or the owner was otherwise negligent. Fla. Stat. 767.04 |
| Shared fault | If the victim's own negligence helped cause the bite, the damages are reduced by that percentage. Fla. Stat. 767.04 |
| Filing deadline | The 2023 tort reform cut the deadline for negligence claims from four years to two, and until a lawyer reviews your case, it is safest to treat two years as the limit. Fla. Stat. 95.11 |
Ohio's statute, section 955.28, is broader in one way, since it applies not only to the dog's owner but also to anyone keeping or harboring the dog, such as a relative who lets it live at their house. It does not cover someone who was trespassing or committing a crime on the property, or who was teasing or abusing the dog there. Ohio cases are handled through our office in Solon.
What can you recover?
The claim can cover your medical bills, including treatment you will likely need later, such as scar revision surgery, plus the wages you lost while you recovered. Pain and suffering is part of it, and so is the emotional side, which after a dog attack can mean anxiety around dogs that lasts long after the wounds have closed. Visible scarring, especially on the face, can add a great deal to the value of a claim. If an attack was fatal, the family may have a wrongful death claim.
When the victim is a child
Children are bitten more often than adults, and because of their height, the bites tend to land on the head or face. A child's claim has to account for problems that may not show up for years, like additional scar revision as the child grows. Counseling may be needed as well, and the effect a visible scar has on a child at school can be part of the damages.
Deadlines work differently for children, too. Ohio generally pauses the deadline until the child turns 18, but Florida's rules for minors are much narrower, so parents in Florida should not wait.
Why these cases get complicated
Most dog bite claims start out looking straightforward, and the insurance company's response is usually what complicates them. The adjuster may argue that the injuries are minor or that the victim provoked the dog, and in Ohio, teasing the dog on the owner's property can defeat a claim under the statute. Sometimes more than one person is responsible, for example a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog, or someone who was caring for the dog when it happened. Proving the full cost of a bite, the scarring and the emotional side in particular, usually takes testimony from doctors.
Why Choose Podor Law
Dog Bite Experience
Dog bite claims turn on a couple of specific statutes and a lot of medical detail. Our founder, Kenny Podor, has been handling personal injury cases since 1978.
No Fee Unless We Win
Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, so if there is no recovery, there is no attorney's fee, and there is nothing to pay up front.
Compassionate Approach
A dog attack is frightening for anyone and more so for a child, so we keep the family's part of the process as light as we can and direct the pressure at the insurance company instead.
Thorough Investigation
We get the bite report and any earlier complaints about the dog, talk to witnesses and neighbors, confirm what insurance the owner has and work with the treating doctors on what the injuries will need going forward.
Responsive Communication
You can reach your attorney directly by phone or text, and we call you when something in the case changes, whether or not we need anything from you.
Focus on Recovery
We deal with the insurance company and the paperwork, so you and your family can put your energy into getting better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a dog bite?
If you are able to, try to do the following.
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Get medical care the same day, even for a bite that seems minor, because dog bites often become infected.
- Report the bite. In Manatee County, animal bites go to the Florida Department of Health, and Animal Services investigates when the dog was loose or acting viciously.
- Get the owner's name, phone number, address and insurance information.
- Take pictures of your injuries and the place where it happened, and of the dog if that can be done safely.
- Keep any torn or bloodied clothing.
- Call us before you speak with the owner's insurance company or accept any offer.
Can I still receive compensation if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes. Florida and Ohio both have strict liability statutes for dog bites, so the owner is responsible even for a first bite, and you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Some other states still follow the so-called "one bite rule," under which an owner is liable only if they knew about the dog's aggressive behavior, but that rule does not apply in either state.
Who pays for my medical bills after a dog bite?
Usually the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. Those policies often cover dog bites, although some exclude certain breeds or a dog with a history of biting. If there is no coverage, the owner can be held personally responsible, but collecting from an individual is harder. Depending on the facts, a landlord or someone who was caring for the dog may also be responsible. While the claim is pending, your own health insurance can pay for treatment, and those bills become part of the claim.
What if I was bitten while on someone else's property?
If you were there lawfully, you are generally protected. That includes invited guests and people who were there to work, and Florida's statute specifically covers mail carriers. Trespassers are in a weaker position in both states, and in Ohio someone committing criminal trespass is excluded from the statute altogether, though the rules can be different for young children. A landlord or property owner may share responsibility if they knew about a dangerous dog and did nothing about it, so we look at everyone involved before deciding who the claim should be made against.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit?
It depends on the state and on the legal theory behind the claim, which is why this is a question to raise early. In Florida, the 2023 tort reform law cut the deadline for negligence claims from four years to two, and until an attorney has reviewed your case, the safest assumption is that two years applies. In Ohio, a claim under the dog bite statute and a claim based on negligence can carry different deadlines, and negligence claims generally have to be filed within two years. Children are treated differently. Ohio generally pauses the deadline until the child turns 18, while Florida's rules for minors are much narrower, so parents in Florida should not assume the clock is on hold.
Bitten by a Dog? We Can Help
The consultation is free, and there is no attorney's fee unless we recover money for you. Tell us what happened, and an attorney will explain who may be responsible and what the claim could cover.
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