Broward County Dog Bite Defense Attorneys
Broward County Dog Bite Defense Attorneys
If your dog bit someone in Broward County and you are now facing a lawsuit, the situation can feel overwhelming. Florida’s dog bite law places strict liability on dog owners, which means the injured person does not have to prove your dog had a prior history of aggression to hold you responsible. But strict liability does not mean automatic liability. Defenses exist, and the specific facts of your case matter enormously.
Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. defends dog owners in Broward County and throughout South Florida. Our Orlando-based firm represents clients across the state, and we handle dog bite defense cases regularly, from Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood to Pompano Beach and Coral Springs. If you have been served with a lawsuit or received a pre-suit demand letter, we can help you understand your options and build a defense.
What Does Florida Law Say About Dog Bite Liability?
Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under Florida Statute 767.04, the owner of a dog that bites a person in a public place, or lawfully in a private place, is liable for damages regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s prior knowledge of any aggressive tendencies. This differs from the “one-bite rule” that exists in some other states, where a prior known incident is required to establish liability.
What this means in practice is that you cannot defend a Broward County dog bite lawsuit simply by arguing you did not know your dog was dangerous. The focus shifts instead to whether valid defenses apply, whether the injured person contributed to the incident, and whether the claimed damages can be challenged or reduced. Our Florida dog bite defense attorneys have a thorough understanding of how these cases are structured by plaintiffs and how to respond to each element of a claim.
What Defenses Are Available to Broward County Dog Owners?
Florida’s strict liability rule does not eliminate all available defenses. Depending on the circumstances, one or more legal defenses may significantly reduce or entirely eliminate your liability.
The “Bad Dog” Sign Defense
Under Florida law, a dog owner who prominently displays a “Bad Dog” warning sign on their property may have reduced or eliminated liability if a person who enters that property is subsequently bitten. The “Bad Dog” sign defense applies when the sign was clearly visible and legible and the bite victim was old enough to understand the warning. This defense does not apply to children under the age of six, and it does not protect an owner when the victim was a lawful invitee whose entry was unrelated to the posted warning.
The Provocation Defense
If the person who was bitten provoked your dog immediately before the attack, that provocation can serve as a partial or full defense. Provocation does not have to be intentional to count. It includes actions a reasonable person would understand might frighten or agitate a dog, such as startling the animal, invading its space, or making sudden threatening movements. The provocation defense in Florida dog bite cases can fully or partially defeat the plaintiff’s claim depending on what the evidence shows.
Comparative Fault
Beyond the provocation and bad dog sign defenses, Florida’s comparative fault principles can reduce the plaintiff’s recovery if they contributed to their own injury in any way. This applies even in strict liability cases. If the injured person trespassed on your property, ignored posted warnings, or otherwise behaved unreasonably under the circumstances, your attorney can argue that their own conduct contributed to the outcome and should reduce the damages you owe.
When Defenses Do Not Apply: Victims Under Six
Florida law provides that the provocation defense and the bad dog sign defense do not apply when the bite victim is a child under the age of six. The law recognizes that young children cannot be expected to understand or avoid the risks of interacting with dogs, and it places greater responsibility on owners in those situations. Cases involving very young children are more difficult to defend, which makes early involvement of an attorney even more important.
What Should You Do After Being Served with a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Broward County?
Being served with a lawsuit is not the time to wait and see what happens. You generally have 20 days to respond to a complaint in Florida, and failing to answer on time can result in a default judgment being entered against you. Our guide on what to do after being served in a Florida dog bite lawsuit walks you through the process from beginning to end.
Your first call should be to an attorney. Your second should be to your homeowners or renters insurance carrier. Many policies include dog bite liability coverage, and your insurer may have a contractual duty to provide you with a defense. Our attorneys regularly help clients evaluate how homeowners insurance applies in Florida dog bite cases and whether a given policy is likely to respond to the claim at hand.
In the meantime, do not contact the injured party or their attorney without legal counsel. Do not post about the incident on social media. Preserve any surveillance footage, photographs, or documentation related to the incident and the location where it occurred.
What Is the Typical Timeline for a Dog Bite Defense Case in Broward County?
Dog bite cases in Florida typically begin with a pre-suit phase in which the plaintiff’s attorney sends a demand letter before filing a formal complaint. This period is a critical opportunity to evaluate the claim, gather evidence, and potentially resolve the matter before litigation begins. Our overview of pre-suit dog bite defense in Florida explains how this phase works and what strategic decisions you will face.
If the case proceeds to formal litigation, you can expect a discovery period during which both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. Most dog bite cases in Florida resolve through settlement before reaching trial. The typical timeline for defendants in a Florida dog bite lawsuit gives a realistic picture of how long the process takes and what you can expect at each stage.
Broward County Dog Bite Defense and Our Statewide Practice
While this page focuses on Broward County dog bite defense, Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. represents clients facing dog bite claims throughout the state. If you are in a neighboring county, you can also explore our Miami-Dade dog bite defense attorneys page or visit our Florida dog bite defense attorneys page for an overview of our statewide approach. Dog bite cases are often more complex than they first appear, involving insurance coverage questions, rental property issues, and claims that cross county lines. Our firm takes a comprehensive approach to ensure that every available defense and strategy is considered wherever in Florida your case arises.
Contact Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. Today
A dog bite lawsuit in Broward County is a serious legal matter that deserves serious legal attention. The earlier you involve an attorney, the more options you will have. Florida Civil Counsel, P.A. is based in Orlando and defends dog owners throughout Broward County and across Florida. We offer a free case evaluation with no obligation. Contact us today to speak with an attorney who handles these cases regularly and can assess your specific situation.