Were you or your child bitten by a dog in Oakland Park, FL?
At Loshak Law PLLC, we represent dog bite victims and their families across Oakland Park and the surrounding communities.
If you were bitten by a dog in Oakland Park, our Oakland Park, FL dog bite lawyer can identify the responsible owner, pursue the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers the attack, and seek full compensation for your injuries. We handle communications with the insurer and the investigation of the claim so you can focus on recovery. Loshak Law PLLC represents dog bite victims on a contingency fee, which means representation begins at no upfront cost. Call today to arrange a free consultation.
Dog Bite Lawyer Oakland Park, FL
A dog bite claim is a legal action against the dog’s owner to recover the cost of the injuries the attack caused. Florida is among the states with the most dog bite claims each year. The Insurance Information Institute ranked Florida second in the nation for dog bite insurance claims in 2023, with 1,532 claims reported that year.
Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. A dog bite attorney in Oakland Park identifies the applicable coverage, documents the injuries and the circumstances of the attack, and negotiates with the insurer to reach a settlement that reflects the full extent of the harm.
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Oakland Park
Our lawyers handle dog bite claims across Oakland Park, FL. The identity of the owner and the location of the attack matter in every claim, and we prepare each one for litigation.
- Bites by a neighbor’s or friend’s dog. Many attacks involve a dog the victim knows, which makes people reluctant to file. The claim proceeds through insurance, not the owner’s personal savings, and we handle that process with the insurer.
- Attacks by unleashed or loose dogs. A dog off its leash in a park or neighborhood is a frequent source of bites. We use animal-control records and witness accounts to establish what happened.
- Attacks on children. Children are bitten more often than adults and tend to suffer wounds to the face and head. We document the long-term effects, including scarring and psychological trauma, and account for them in the claim.
- Delivery and postal worker bites. People who enter a property in the course of their work are among the most frequently bitten. We pursue the owner’s coverage for these injuries.
- Landlord and third-party liability. When a landlord or another party knew a dangerous dog was on the property, that party may share responsibility. We identify every party and policy involved.
- Bites causing infection or nerve damage. A wound that appears minor can lead to infection, nerve damage, or a need for reconstructive surgery. We connect the later treatment to the original attack.
Why Choose Loshak Law PLLC as My Dog Bite Attorney in Oakland Park, FL?
What Our Recoveries Show
Loshak Law PLLC has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across South Florida. Outcomes from the firm’s injury practice include:
- $1,000,000 in a premises liability claim
- $1,750,000 in an auto accident settlement
- $850,000 for a motorcycle accident victim
- $500,000 in a slip and fall case
- $100,000 in a bicycle and pedestrian case
Each recovery reflected the specific facts of that case. A dog bite claim is valued on the injuries involved and the insurance coverage available.
An AV Preeminent Founding Attorney
The firm’s injury practice is led by founding attorney Brandon F. Loshak. He holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating, its highest mark for legal ability and ethical standards, and he has represented injured plaintiffs for more than 13 years. He earned his law degree from St. Thomas University and is admitted to practice in Florida and Texas. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association. Anyone who calls our personal injury lawyer in Oakland Park can expect the case to be prepared for trial from the first meeting, whether it settles or not. Our firm is retained on a contingency fee, so no attorney fees are owed unless we obtain a recovery, and the initial consultation is free.
Understanding Dog Bite Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Dog Bite Cases
In most Florida dog bite cases, the owner is responsible for the injury even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, a rule explained in our overview of Florida’s dog bite law. The claim is ordinarily paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Compensation can include:
- Emergency care, wound treatment, and any reconstructive surgery
- Rabies and infection treatment
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety and a lasting fear of dogs
- Lost income and future medical costs
Florida’s comparative negligence rule under section 768.81 can reduce an award if the injured person provoked the dog or was somewhere they were not permitted to be. Because insurers raise those arguments frequently, we document the circumstances of the attack early. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the bite and its lasting effects, so calculating those damages requires a complete assessment of the injury.
What Are Important Aspects of a Dog Bite Case?
A dog bite claim rests on a few key points rather than the fault analysis used in a car crash. The following usually matter most:
- Who owned or kept the dog
- That the bite occurred while the victim was lawfully present or in a public place
- The nature and extent of the injury
- Whether the owner will argue that the dog was provoked
The statute of limitations still applies. Under section 95.11, most claims must be filed within two years of the bite, and a claim filed after that deadline can be dismissed regardless of how clear the owner’s responsibility is.
What Is The Dog Bite Case Timeline?
A dog bite case follows a sequence set by the medical treatment and the owner’s insurance. A typical path includes the following stages:
- Wound care and, when needed, rabies or infection treatment
- A report to animal control that creates an official record
- Identification of the owner and their homeowner’s or renter’s policy
- A demand to the insurer once the injuries are understood
- Negotiation, and suit if the insurer’s offer is inadequate
Bites that scar or require surgery take longer to value, because the final cost is not established until treatment is complete. The actions taken in the first 24 hours after a bite also affect the claim, as well as your actions as the claim progresses.
What Should You Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation?
Bringing the following items to the first meeting helps us assess the claim quickly:
- Photographs of the injuries and, if possible, the dog
- The owner’s name, address, and any insurance details
- The animal-control or police report, if one was filed
- Medical records, including any rabies or wound-care treatment
- The clothing worn during the attack, unwashed if it was torn or stained
If any item is unavailable, we can obtain it on your behalf. The consultation is free.
Where Dog Bites Happen in Oakland Park
Dog bites in Oakland Park, FL generally occur where dogs and people share space, not on the roads. Common settings include off-leash areas, residential streets, and locations where dogs gather.
- Oakland Bark Park on Northwest 38th Street, the city’s off-leash dog park
- Easterlin Park, a dog-friendly county park on Northwest 38th Street
- Residential neighborhoods and sidewalks where dogs are walked
- Front doors and yards along delivery and mail routes
Broward County’s dog park listings identify where off-leash areas are located and the rules that apply at each one.
Reach Out to Loshak Law PLLC to Schedule a Consultation
If a dog attacked you or your child in Oakland Park, the owner’s insurance may owe you significantly more than its initial offer. Our Oakland Park dog bite lawyer can review the attack and explain what the claim is worth. Contact us to set up a free consultation with Loshak Law PLLC. You pay nothing unless we obtain a recovery for you.
