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Sarasota Dog Bite Lawyer

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Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional scarring, leaving victims with extensive medical bills, lost income, trauma, and long-term treatment. In Florida, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries their animals cause. You do not have to prove the dog had bitten before or that the owner was negligent. A Sarasota dog bite owner can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, reconstructive surgery, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Call 941-365-7600, fill out our contact form online, or live chat with us on our website to discuss your Florida dog bite case. All consultations are no strings attached, confidential and completely free. Read further to learn more about Florida’s dog bite laws, steps to take after an attack, compensation available to dog bite victims, and how we can help.

Why Choose Dannheisser Injury Law for Your Sarasota Dog Bite

Dog bite cases in Sarasota can be especially complex, involving Florida’s strict liability laws and insurance companies that try to deny or minimize responsibility. Victims, many of whom are children, are left facing injuries, scars, emotional trauma, and expensive medical treatment. At Dannheisser Injury Law, we have more than three decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including helping dog bite victims and their families. We understand the nuances of Florida’s dog bite laws, how to hold negligent dog owners accountable, and how to secure compensation needed for medical care, counseling, lost income, and long-term care.
donWhat sets our firm apart is our client-first approach in everything that we do. We are a small law firm that consistently delivers big results for our clients. Because we are a small law firm, we don’t take any and all injury cases. We select the cases we believe in the most. We take the time to understand every client and how their accidents impacts their daily lives. We thoroughly explain the legal and insurance processes and prepare each client for litigation. You won’t deal with a case manager or paralegal the entire time. You will have direct access toy our dog bite attorney, including having his cell phone and email. If you or your child were bitten by a dog and you want to understand your legal rights, give Dannheisser Injury Law a call at 941-365-7600, complete our contact form online, or live chat with us on our website. We are a local Sarasota law firm with local roots and stay involved in our community.

Common Injuries From Animal Bites or Attacks

Although dog bites are common, those leading to life-threatening or fatal injuries are less common. Frequently dog attacks leave people with injuries that may not heal without medical intervention. The consequences of severe bites can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.

Common injuries seen in dog bite lawsuits include:

Even minor cuts and lacerations could lead to severe infection with life-threatening consequences. Therefore, anyone bitten or attacked by a dog must wash the wounds immediately seek medical attention. We also recommend that law enforcement or animal control authorities be immediately noticed of the attack.

If someone experiences symptoms of infection, they should seek help from a professional healthcare provider immediately. A dog attack attorney in Sarasota could use their medical records as evidence in a legal claim.

Strict Liability for Dog Bites or Attacks

While much of the country follows a “one bite rule,” Florida regulations adhere to a strict liability rule for damages from dog attacks or bites. Per the instruction given by Florida Statutes § 767.04, the owner is responsible for the damages when someone is attacked in a public place or legally enters a private property. They must pay for medical care and other losses regardless of whether the animal has a history of aggressiveness or vicious behavior unless the evidence demonstrates that the injured person was trespassing or provoked the attack.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Dog Bites?

There are actually several parties who may be held liable for injuries suffered from dog bites in Florida. Those people or companies include:

Recoverable Damages for Dog Bites

Persons injured by dog attacks are entitled to many damages including monies for:
Persons sustaining severe injuries will likely suffer the impacts of that attack for many years if not the rest of their life and are entitled to recover monies commensurate to the depth and extent of their losses.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Dog bites are frightening and can easily be overwhelming, especially when children are involved. What you do in the minutes, hours, and days following a dog attack is critical to protecting your health, legal rights, and ability to recover compensation. Here are some important steps to take after a dog bite in Sarasota:
Taking these steps is critical for your dog bite case. Failing to do any of the above could result in reducing the money you’re owed after a dog bite.

Schedule a Consultation with a Knowledgeable Dog Bite Attorney in Sarasota

While we all love our dogs, it is also important to be attentive to the fact that a dog will attack when threatened or approached by strangers. Responsible dog owners protect them dogs from being exposed to threatening conditions. Call our experienced Sarasota dog bite lawyers today to schedule a consultation so that we can get started on your case.

    Jerald Berry
    18:09 17 Sep 25
    What an absolute pleasure to have worked with Josh, he was thoughtful and very thorough in my case. I recommend him to anyone.
    Tim Self
    16:03 17 Sep 25
    I have used this firm several times and they have always been very informative and helpful
    Jerald Berry
    18:09 17 Sep 25
    What an absolute pleasure to have worked with Josh, he was thoughtful and very thorough in my case. I recommend him to anyone.
    Tim Self
    16:03 17 Sep 25
    I have used this firm several times and they have always been very informative and helpful
    Eric Massey
    16:00 17 Sep 25
    Dannheisser Injury Law did a great job for me!
    Pam P
    15:58 17 Sep 25
    Josh is professional and goes above and beyond for his clients!
    Andrea Johnson
    03:04 12 Sep 25
    We appreciate Dan and his amazing group for their hard work and dedication to their clients when we needed them most.
    Matthew Stanton
    17:03 11 Sep 25
    Best lawyer in Town!! Josh and his team were great. Fast, efficient and quick results.
    William Johnson
    15:56 11 Sep 25
    I am grateful for the exceptional service I received from Dannheisser Injury Law Firm. Their dedication to their clients is truly remarkable; they took the time to understand my situation and provided personalized guidance every step of the way.
    I was impressed with their commitment to achieving results in a timely manner. They kept me informed throughout the process and always responded promptly to my telephone calls. From the start, it was evident they were focused on securing the best possible outcome.
    I wholeheartedly recommend Dannheisser Injury Law Firm to anyone in need of legal assistance. Their dedication to clients makes them an outstanding choice.

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    Sarasota Dog Bite Lawyer
    Frequently Asked Questions

    To schedule a free, confidential, no-strings-attached consultation and case review with an experienced dog bite law firm, you can call us at 941-365-7600, fill out our contact form online, or live chat with us on our website.

    Dannheisser Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front for our services, we front all costs, and we only get paid if we win your case.

     

    The value of your dog bite case depends entirely on the circumstances surrounding the dog bite. Any settlement or jury verdict will consider your damages (medical expenses, lost wages, etc.), liability and whether you were partially at fault for the dog bite, and the size of the insurance policy available.

    Common defenses in dog bite lawsuits in Florida include but are not limited to the victim was trespassing and the dog was provoked to attack.

    Yes. Many homeowners’, renters’, and commercial landlord policies cover dog bites, though some exclude certain breeds.

    Victims of Florida dog bites may recover money for: (1) Medical expenses; (2) Plastic or reconstructive surgery; (3) Lost wages or reduced earning capacity; (4) Pain and suffering; (5) Emotional trauma, distress, or PTSD; and (6) Long-term rehabilitation needs.

    You generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit for a dog bite. Ideally, you act faster than that to preserve evidence and build the strongest claim possible.

    There are several important steps to take if bitten by a dog in Sarasota. These include: (1) Seek medical attention; (2) Report the dog bite to Sarasota County Animal Services; (3) Document the scene with photos and videos; (4) Obtain the dog owner’s information; (5) Gather and preserve evidence such as witness information, clothing worn at the time, and medical records; (6) Contact a Sarasota dog bite lawyer.

    Florida law imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites and attacked. This means dog owners are responsible for bites even if the dog has never bitten before. There are some exceptions to the strict liability rule, such as if the dog was provoked or the person bitten was trespassing.

    All dog bites that occur in Sarasota County are required by county ordinance to be reported to Sarasota County Animal Services.

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