South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

There are roughly 1,000 people in the United States who are treated by emergency medical personnel for dog bite injuries in Sebastian and elsewhere every day. According to the American Humane Association, there are nearly five million dog bite accidents each year in the U.S. More than 90 percent of these attacks involve a male dog, nearly 95 percent of which were not neutered.

Our Sebastian injury attorneys understand that many residents have a dog as a member of their family, and they will be present when guests visit or when there is a social gathering, for instance. Typically what can happen is the dog gets startled because he or she does not know the guests. Or a visitor may be a little too aggressive while playing around with the animal.

To help avoid a potentially serious dog big accident this year, here are a few safety tips you can follow.

Dog Injury Stats:

-About a quarter of all fatal dog attacks involve a dog that was chained.

-Nearly 70 percent of dog bite incidents happen on or near the victim's property. Most dog bite victims know the dog.

-Insurance companies pay out more than a billion dollars in dog-bite claims every year.

-There are roughly 25 different breeds of dogs have been involved in the 238 dog-bite-related deaths in the country.

Dog bite injuries are likely to occur to children if the proper safety precautions are not met. Parents should always keep an eye on young ones and share the following safety tips with them to help avoid a dog-related injury.

Safety Tips for Kids around Dogs:

-Never be mean to a dog.

-Don't bother a pup when they're busy. Leave them alone when they're eating, guarding toys, sleeping or caring for puppies.

-Never walk up to a dog that you don't know.

-If you spot an animal you don't know, tell a grown up.

-If you would like to meet a dog, make sure you ask the owner if it's OK.

-When meeting a dog, stick out you hand to let the dog sniff you. That's how dogs say hello.

-If a dog likes you, go ahead and give him a little scratch underneath his chin, never over the head.

-Use a lower voice when talking to a dog. Never yell.

-If a strange dog approaches you, stand still. Keep your hands and arms down at your side.

-If you're on the ground and a dog approaches, roll into a ball.

-Move slowly around dogs. Quick movements can scare them.

For dog owners, chained dogs are nearly three times more likely to bite someone. These conditions increase their stress level, vulnerability and protectiveness, which all increase their aggression. Your best bet is to keep your dog in a fenced area.

Continue reading "Risks of Dog Bite Injuries in Sebastian Increase When You Have Guests" »

A Broward County judge ruled earlier this month that four dogs, a pit bull and her three puppies will not be returned to their owner, according to The Miami Herald.

Our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers know that pit bulls raised in the wrong environment can lead to vicious attacks and severe injuries sustained from dog bites in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere.

The puppies Dexter, Petunia and Meatball and their mother were removed from a home with a suspected pit bull fighting ring in the yard. The puppies are in foster care and the mother dog had to be housed in a veterinary clinic due to her poor health.

With proper care and plenty to eat, the dog is now doing well. The owner of the dogs faces three counts of confinement of animals without sufficient water, food or exercise and four misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. A civil hearing was requested by the Broward Sheriff’s Office to gain custody of the dogs, which will eventually be up for adoption.

Deputies found the three puppies in the owner's apartment infested with fleas and lying in their own waste. Their mother was found outside with no food and very little water; she was very thin and lethargic according to the deputies.

The owner admitted during the civil hearing that he hadn't fed the mother dog in two weeks because he could not get outside due to injuries from an auto accident. He later changed his story and said a cousin was feeding the dog. He also denied any dog fighting activities at his home.

A new owner should be leery when it comes to adopting dogs with a past history of neglect and abuse. Their previous history could make them a danger in the future. Not to mention that pit bulls are an aggressive breed by nature and have a strong instinct to chase and catch running objects like small animals and children. Adopting a previously neglected or abused dog takes a lot of work on the new owner's part to train it properly.

Dog bite statistics include:

-In 2010, there were 33 fatal dog attacks, although pit bulls make up 5 percent of the dog population they accounted for 67 percent of the attacks.

-Pit bulls and Rottweilers accounted for 79 percent of fatal dog attacks in 2010.

-Between 2005 and 2010, pit bulls killed 104 people, about one victim every 21 days. Rottweilers killed 25 people, roughly one victim every 88 days.

-In 2010, 61 percent of the attacks happened to children ages 11 and younger; 39 percent happened to adults; 75 percent of the attacks on children happen to those ages 4 and younger; 60 percent of the young victims were male.

-Over a third of the fatal attacks involved more than one dog and 9 percent involved chained dog in 2010.

-73 percent of the fatal attacks in 2010 were by family owned dogs and almost 90 percent of the attacks happened on the owner's property.

-In 2010, California had the most fatal attacks with 7 in which pit bulls caused 6 of the deaths. Florida had 3 deaths followed by Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas each had 2 deaths.

Continue reading "Neglected Pit Bulls Can Lead to an Increase in Fort Lauderdale Vicious Dog Attacks" »

Dog bites and attacks are often a concern when it comes to the liability of Fort Lauderdale dog owners. Florida law places accountability and the responsibility for damages on dog owners if their pet bites another person in a public or private place. This is true even with no prior aggressive behavior being reported.

If for some reason the victim instigates getting bitten by the dog, the percentage of damages diminishes based on what percentage the victim played in getting bitten.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys fight aggressively for dog bite victims. We understand the severity and consequences of many dog bite injuries, especially in pit bull attacks.

Pit bulls are frequently rescued by dog owners but are one of the most dangerous pets to own. According to dogsbite.org during January-June 2009, there were 318 reported pit bull attacks leading to just over 1 bite victim (1.2) per incident. The majority of the victims (64%) reported severe injuries, while the remaining victims experienced a minor dog bite injury.

The age group suffering from pit bull bites the most was 21-54 (42%); children ages 5-11 suffered second most as 24% of bite victims. During one 6-month period in 2009, almost 7 out of 10 pit bull dog bites occurred off the owner's property. Florida reported the second highest number of pit bull victims among states at 34 during the first 6 months of 2009.

Recently in the news was the release of Mercedes, a pit bull freed after two years of confinement after killing a family's pet cat in Fort Lauderdale according to the Sun Sentinel.

Broward County animal control had placed Mercedes on death row following a zero tolerance dangerous dog law in 2008. The law stated a dog should be euthanized after one serious attack on a domestic animal. The County found the law controversial and was recently reversed because it conflicts with state law. Broward's new law will require that 2 attacks take place on a domestic pet before declaring the dog dangerous. Euthanizing the dog would not take place until a third attack occurs or a failure to abide by the restrictions placed on a dangerous dog.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following dog bite prevention tips to potential victims:

-Avoid making eye contact with a dog directly.

-Only pet a dog after allowing it to sniff you first. Don't approach the dog quickly and stand still while it sniffs the back of your hand.

-Stand like a statue if an unfamiliar dog approaches you.

-Contact the local shelter or animal control office if a stray dog is spotted, especially if the dog is behaving erratically.

Continue reading "Dog bites a common danger in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach" »

Thinking of the perfect gift at Christmas can be difficult. In some cases a pet is the perfect gift idea that brings families closer together but this isn't always the case. Before you purchase that puppy in the window make sure you think through the decision. Our Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyers remind you of the dangers that can occur when little puppies become big dogs if they aren't trained and taken care of properly.

It is possible you may make your decision on what breed of dog to get based on what is the typical personality for that particular type of dog. A good family dog may be a lab or collie based on their upbeat and personable traits. But even these dogs if not trained properly can be wild beasts. Training your dog to be social and well behaved is a difficult task, especially if you know nothing about dog training.

One important aspect of training is dog socialization which plays a key role in making your dog safe around others. There is a critical period early in a puppy's development (prior to 4 months old) that if socialized appropriately with people of all ages and other dogs in which no bad experiences occur, the puppy will mature into a friendly dog. If a bad experience occurs during this early socialization, no matter what the breed, the dog can grow up to fear other canines and people and have aggressive behaviors when put in the wrong situation. In fact, studies have shown that an under-socialized dog or dogs with bad experiences during the first few months are 580 times more likely to be aggressive with humans and other dogs.

Florida law holds dog owners responsible for damages when their dog bites another person in a public or private place even if the dog has no prior record of aggressive behaviors. However, if the victim plays a role in getting bitten by the dog the percentage of liability is reduced to the dog owner based on what percentage the victim played in the accident happening.

It is important that even if you have a friendly dog you be aware of the surroundings you put your dog in. Adhere to leash laws in public places and make sure if you have a family gathering that you keep an eye on your dog at all times. Stress can affect even the friendliest well-trained dogs so reduce the risk of dog bite injury by being a responsible owner.

Continue reading "Social training helps reduce dog bite injuries in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm " »

The scariest thing on the roads and sidewalks this Halloween may have nothing to do with the ghosts and goblins haunting your neighborhood.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that almost 5,000 motorists have died on the road during Halloween Week in the last decade, making it among the most dangerous weeks on the road. More than half of those fatalities were the result of drunk driving accidents. Nationwide, authorities will be conducting an "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" drunk driving crackdown from Oct. 25-31.

In addition to the risk for Fort Lauderdale car accidents, parents and children alike are at high risk for pedestrian accidents in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida as walking sidewalks in the dark is, for most, a once-a-year activity.

Premise liability concerns can include slip-and-fall accidents, dog attacks, swimming pool accidents and other common property claims that become even more common around the strange occurrences of Halloween.

Injuries to children most often involve cuts or lacerations to the hands or fingers and most frequently involve kids ages 10 to 14, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, which reports that Halloween is among the holidays with the highest incidents of emergency room visits.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers the following safety tips:

Motorists

-Stay alert and watch for bicycles and pedestrians.

-Kids will be excited and may suddenly dart into traffic from between parked cars.

-Be particularly cautious in areas with cars parked along the streets.

-Watch for children in the streets, especially in areas where there are no sidewalks.

-Be patient and slow down.

Parents and Caregivers

-Put children in light colored costumes.

-Use reflective tape to improve visibility.

-Make sure costumes do not create trip hazards or obstruct vision.

-Children should wear good shoes.

Continue reading "Real spooks of Halloween: Car accidents, pedestrian accidents, premise liability dangers in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm" »

The 14-year-old Palm Beach Lakes High School student was on her way to school when the attack happened. Out of nowhere, it seemed, two pit bulls lunged – one at her neck, one at the legs. She screamed. Screamed loud enough to draw attention of a neighbor who grabbed a stick and scared the dogs away, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

The dogs took off up Caribbean Boulevard eventually entering a Gramercy Park home where they terrified a mother and daughter. A family member drove the dogs off with a golf club. The pair of dogs were later shot after charging deputies, sustaining injuries so severe that both had to be euthanized.

Charges are pending against the dogs’ owners. Neighbors say the dogs had a history of aggressive behavior and record of escaping their fenced enclosure. Neither dog had been vaccinated for rabies. Our West Palm Beach dog bite attorneys know that Florida law aims to protect innocent victims from dangerous dogs, particularly when an attack is due to the failure of the owner to confine, train or control their pets. Not only is the dog’s owner liable for any emotional and physical injury a wayward pet may cause, but also a repeat offender can be euthanized if it is determined to pose a threat to the welfare of the community.

The teenage victim told WPTV-5 she has experienced flashbacks since the attack and has had some trouble sleeping. The girl spent four days in the hospital and will spend another two weeks recovering at home before returning to school. She has staples in her scalp and stitches along her neck and leg. Her mother told reporters that hospital staff said her daughter was lucky to be alive.

Dog attacks are a startlingly common occurrence in this country. Each year, about 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog. About 1 million will require emergency medical attention and 31,000 will undergo reconstructive surgery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children ages 5 to 9 are most at risk.

Click here for tips on preventing dog bites and tips for children.

Continue reading "14-year-old hospitalized after Palm Beach dog attack" »

The recent injury of a woman in a Fort Lauderdale dog attack has brought the rules and liability of dog ownership into the news. The Miami Herald reports that the woman was attacked by two pit bulls and a Rottweiler in front of a Fort Lauderdale church.

Dog attacks are a startlingly common occurrence: 4.5 million people will be bitten by a dog this year, or about 1 of every 60 U.S. residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly a million victims will require medical attention and more than 30,000 will undergo reconstructive surgery. Tragically, children are the frequent victims, with kids ages 5 to 9 at the highest risk of being bitten by a dog.

In this case, the 44-year-old woman was walking in the 1100 block of North Andrews Avenue when the dogs ran out of a nearby yard -- through a gate that had been left open. Passersby came to the woman's rescue and were able to prevent the dogs from attacking her further.

Florida is a strict liability state, meaning an owner is liable for damages in a dog bite case, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression or the owner knew of its propensity to bite. However, negligence on the part of the victim can reduce the liability of a dog owner in direct proportion to a victim's responsibility for the incident. It is important to note that under Florida law a child under 6 has been legally determined to be incapable of committing negligence under the dog bite law -- meaning no actions of a small child can lessen an owner's liability in the event of an attack.

Legal grounds for damages include common law liability, negligence, negligence per se and intentional injury. Negligence per se deals with an owner's violation of a law or statute, such as a local leash law enacted to protect the public.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that a dog attack frequently involves a beloved pet or the pet of a neighbor or family friend. In such cases, we can work in as amicable a manner as possible to file a claim against a homeowner's insurance policy. But it is important for parents and the victims of dog bites to understand the importance of formally filing a claim. Injuries from a dog bite can be very serious and can include scaring, infection and fear and other emotional issues, particularly in older adults or young children.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale dog attack a reminder of owner liability in South Florida dog bite cases" »