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Dog Bites / Attacks
Cohen Battisti, Orlando
Dog Bite and Dog Attack Lawyers / Attorneys
 
Dog bite injuries affect approximately 4.7 million people in the
United States
annually.
Of this population, about 800,000 dog bite victims require medical
treatment each year. Most dog bite victims are children, as it is
the second leading cause of injury to minors. Dog bite attacks
account for one out of three homeowner's liability insurance claims,
which translates into more than one billion dollars in pay-outs
annually. Dog bite claims fall under the umbrella of personal injury
law, where an injured party has the legal right to seek compensation
for injuries caused by another party's actions or negligence.
There are many
reasons why a dog bites. Many dog bite injuries occur when a dog is
trying to defend or protect his territory, establish dominance over
his/her victim, is in a new, unfamiliar, or threatening environment,
and when disturbed while eating, sleeping, or coveting a toy or
treat. There are several factors that increase the likelihood that a
dog will bite. A dog that is not altered is three times more likely
to bite. Dog bite offenders often will attack when they are chained
up or the victim of any other form of mistreatment. Male dogs bite
more often than females, especially those between the ages of one
and five. All breeds of dog bite, though Rottweilers and pit bulls
perpetrate half of all dog bite related fatalities.
Dog bite prevention
involves measures taken by dog owners and potential victims alike.
Dog owners are most often responsible for dog bite injury
consequences; therefore it is important that dog owners reduce the
risks that their dog will bite. Owners can do this by altering their
animal, training and treating their dog humanely, socializing their
dogs to new environments, and obeying all restraint and confinement
laws. Potential victims can decrease their risk of dog bite attacks
by applying caution to their encounters with unknown, fearful or
aggressive dogs. Teaching kids to avoid strange or unknown dogs, and
how to properly treat animals can also reduce their chances of
becoming dog bite victims.
If you are involved
in a dog bite incident it is important to first establish if medical
treatment in necessary. Gaining pertinent information about the dog,
its owner, and any witnesses is also crucial. A dog bite victim may
also want to report the incident to local police or animal control
authorities. Contacting a dog bite injury attorney can help you
discover what your legal rights and options in a case may be. A dog
bite attorney can help maximize and protect your interests in a dog
bite case.
Dog bite law
varies by place and circumstance and also may include a limitation
on the time you have to file a legal claim. In general, a dog bite
victim has the right to seek injury compensation from any party
whose negligence caused the dog bite attack, any party in violation
on leash or restraint laws, and any party who knowingly harbors a
dog with a history of biting people.
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relationship.
Cohen
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Battisti
Attorneys at Law
1211 Orange Avenue •
Suite 200 • Winter Park, FL 32789 •
(407) 478-4878 • Fax: (407) 478-0204
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