Florida dog bite lawyer
If a dog hurt you or your child, Dolina Lascaze works quickly to learn who owns the dog, whether insurance applies, and whether the owner should be pursued directly.
The consultation is free. Lascaze Law's only office is in Aventura, and we represent injured people across Florida.
Hurt by a dog? Get care first, then call us
A dog bite can look small and still be serious. Bites carry a risk of infection, and deep bites can damage muscle, tendons and nerves. Get medical attention right away, even if the wound looks minor. Tell the doctor a dog bit you, because a doctor decides what care you need, including whether you need any shots or other preventive treatment. Prompt treatment protects your health, and it also creates the medical record that a claim depends on.
Once you are safe and being treated, call us. A dog bite claim moves on a clock that most people do not see. The dog owner's memory fades, witnesses move on, injuries heal and stop showing in photographs, and the owner's insurance company starts building its own file. We act quickly on the things that matter most:
- Find the owner and the insurance. We identify who owns the dog and look for homeowner's, renter's, condominium or umbrella coverage, then put the insurer on notice.
- Decide whether to pursue the owner directly. If there is no insurance, we discuss whether the owner can be pursued personally and whether anyone else may share responsibility.
- Preserve the evidence. We help you document injuries as they heal, secure photographs, witness names and animal control or health department records, and keep your medical bills organized.
- Deal with the insurance company for you. You should not have to give a recorded statement or negotiate against an adjuster while you recover.
- Build the full picture of your losses. Medical care, scarring, lost income and the emotional harm of an attack, especially on a child.
You will speak with Attorney Dolina Lascaze, a former prosecutor with about 19 years on the insurance and defense side and more than 40 criminal and 30 civil trials, who understands how carriers evaluate dog bite claims. The first consultation is free, and with our remote intake process you can start from home anywhere in Florida.
What Florida law says about dog bites
The owner of a dog that bites a person in a public place, or a person who is lawfully on private property, is responsible for the damages, whether or not the dog had ever bitten anyone (Florida Statutes 767.04). That is a different starting point from many injury claims, where you must prove carelessness.
Florida has no "one bite" rule for dog bites
Many people have heard that a dog gets "one free bite" before the owner is responsible. In many places that idea came from older law, under which an owner was liable only if the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Florida's dog bite statute does not work that way. The owner's responsibility for a bite covered by the statute does not depend on whether the dog had ever bitten anyone, growled, or been called vicious (Florida Statutes 767.04). A first bite counts.
That matters in practice. Owners and insurers often say, "He has never done anything like this before." Under the statute, that statement is not a defense to a bite on a person who was in a public place or lawfully on private property. The questions that matter instead are whether a bite occurred, where it happened, whether you were lawfully there, whether you contributed to what happened, and whether a posted sign applies.
Two limits are worth knowing. The statute is about bites, so if a dog knocks someone down or scratches them without biting, the claim may need to be built on a different theory, such as the owner's negligence, and local leash rules can matter. Also, the owner's responsibility is reduced if the injured person's own negligence contributed, so the facts of how the encounter started are important.
Reduced if you contributed
The owner's responsibility is reduced by the percentage of the injury caused by the negligence of the person bitten.
Bad Dog signs
A clearly readable sign in a prominent place can protect an owner, but not when the person bitten is a child under 6.
Lawfully on the property
The statute covers public places and people lawfully on private property, such as guests, delivery workers and visitors.
Other responsible parties
In some situations, a landlord, property manager or association may also share responsibility, depending on what they knew and controlled.
Exceptions apply, and this is general information, not legal advice about your case.
We work fast to find out who pays
In a dog bite case, the first practical question is whether there is insurance. The answer decides how the claim is handled.
Identify the owner
We confirm who owns the dog and where it lives. The person who owns the dog is not always the person who owns the property.
Look for coverage
Homeowner's, renter's, condominium and umbrella policies often cover dog bite liability. We put the insurer on notice and ask for coverage information in writing (Florida Statutes 627.4137).
Read the policy
Policies differ. Some limit coverage, and some exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history, so the terms matter.
Decide the strategy
If insurance applies, we pursue the claim through the carrier. If it does not, we discuss whether pursuing the owner personally, or another responsible party, is worthwhile.
Dolina spent about 19 years on the insurance and defense side, so she knows how carriers evaluate these claims and which questions they will ask. We will tell you honestly what the realistic sources of recovery look like. No lawyer can guarantee a result.
What to do after a dog bite
Get medical care
Dog bites can become infected and can cause deep tissue and nerve injuries. Have the wound checked, even if it looks minor.
Report the bite
Contact local animal control. Doctors often report bites as well. A report creates a record of what happened.
Identify the owner
Get the owner's name, address and phone number if you can, and the names of any witnesses. Ask whether the dog's vaccinations are current.
Document everything
Photograph your injuries as they heal, the dog, the location and any fence or sign. Keep torn clothing.
Be careful with statements
Do not give a recorded statement to the owner's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.
Call us early
Evidence and memories fade. Call (305) 473-7858 so we can start on the owner and insurance questions right away.
What a dog bite claim can include
Medical care
Emergency treatment, wound cleaning, stitches, antibiotics, any shots or preventive care your doctor recommends, surgery, and follow up visits. Dog bite wounds can become infected or reopen, so treatment often continues for weeks. A claim can include past medical bills and the reasonable cost of care you are likely to need in the future, which is why keeping every record matters.
Scarring and disfigurement
Bites to the face, neck, arms and hands can leave visible, permanent scars. Children are often bitten on the face and head because of their height. Scarring can affect confidence, social life and, for some people, work. A claim can account for the lasting physical change, including consultations with a plastic or reconstructive surgeon when treating doctors recommend one.
Nerve, muscle and tendon damage
Dogs bite with great force. Deep bites can crush or tear muscle, injure tendons and damage nerves, causing numbness, weakness, chronic pain or limited use of a hand or limb. These injuries may not be obvious on the first day, so follow up care and an honest account of your symptoms are important.
Emotional and psychological harm
A dog attack is frightening. Many people, and especially children, experience fear of dogs, nightmares, anxiety and trouble returning to places where it happened. These effects are real, and when a doctor or counselor documents them, they can be part of the claim.
Lost income
Time away from work for treatment, recovery and appointments can mean lost pay. In more serious cases, a lasting injury can reduce the kind of work a person can do. Keep pay stubs and a note of missed days. For a child, a parent's time away from work can matter as well.
Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment
Florida law may allow compensation for physical pain, mental suffering and the loss of ordinary activities, depending on the facts. This is often the largest part of a serious dog bite claim and the part insurers are most likely to undervalue, which is where an attorney who understands how adjusters work can help.
Every case is different. What a claim can include depends on the facts, the law and the available insurance. No lawyer can promise a particular result.
Why clients choose Lascaze Law first
The days after an accident are when you decide who will stand beside you. Lascaze Law is built so that from the first call you speak with the attorney, understand each step and feel comfortable recommending us to the people you love.
A real conversation with the attorney
The lawyer who reviews your case is the lawyer you speak with. You can ask questions and get answers from Dolina herself.
Decisions explained, not just announced
When a choice is made about your case, such as how to answer an offer, you hear what it is and why.
Honest expectations
We tell you plainly what a claim may be worth, what could go wrong and when a case may not be worth pursuing.
Someone who knows the insurance playbook
About 19 years on the insurance and defense side means Dolina knows how adjusters and defense lawyers evaluate a claim.
No lawyer can promise a result. What we can promise is respect, direct access and clear explanations from the first call.
Attorney background
- Former prosecutorBegan her legal career in the courtroom.
- About 19 years on the insurance and defense sideLitigation for a major insurance company.
- Trial experienceOver 40 criminal and over 30 civil trials.
- Senior leadershipLed teams inside a major carrier.
- Now for injured peopleThat experience now works for you.
Dog bite lawyer for injured people across Florida
Our only office is in Aventura. A remote intake process lets you consult with Attorney Dolina Lascaze by video or phone, sign paperwork digitally and share evidence online, wherever you live in Florida.
- Miami Gardens dog bite lawyerMiami Gardens, North Miami, Little Haiti
- North Miami dog bite lawyerMiami Gardens, North Miami, Little Haiti
- Little Haiti dog bite lawyerMiami Gardens, North Miami, Little Haiti
- North Lauderdale dog bite lawyerNorth Lauderdale, Tamarac, Margate
- Tamarac dog bite lawyerNorth Lauderdale, Tamarac, Margate
- Margate dog bite lawyerNorth Lauderdale, Tamarac, Margate
- Riviera Beach dog bite lawyerRiviera Beach, Belle Glade
- Belle Glade dog bite lawyerRiviera Beach, Belle Glade
- Port St. Lucie dog bite lawyerPort St. Lucie, Fort Pierce
- Fort Pierce dog bite lawyerPort St. Lucie, Fort Pierce
- Pine Hills dog bite lawyerPine Hills, Apopka, Winter Haven
- Apopka dog bite lawyerPine Hills, Apopka, Winter Haven
- Winter Haven dog bite lawyerPine Hills, Apopka, Winter Haven
- Lakeland dog bite lawyerLakeland, Plant City, Immokalee
- Plant City dog bite lawyerLakeland, Plant City, Immokalee
- Immokalee dog bite lawyerLakeland, Plant City, Immokalee
- Ocala dog bite lawyerOcala, Gainesville
- Gainesville dog bite lawyerOcala, Gainesville
Dog bite guides
- Florida dog bite law and the no one bite ruleWhat the statute says
- Dog bites and homeowner's insuranceWho pays for your injuries
- What to do after a dog biteFirst steps for your health and your claim
For how we handle car, truck and motorcycle crashes and other injury claims, see our Florida personal injury lawyer page.
What clients say about Lascaze Law
Reviews reflect individual clients' experiences. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.
Florida dog bite questions
Who is responsible when a dog bites someone in Florida?
Florida law makes the owner of a dog responsible for damages when the dog bites a person in a public place or a person who is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog ever bit anyone before (Florida Statutes 767.04). Other parties, such as a landlord or property owner, may also be responsible in some situations.
Does the dog have to have bitten someone before?
Under the Florida statute, no. The owner's responsibility for a bite does not depend on the dog's past behavior (Florida Statutes 767.04). A history of aggression can still matter to other claims and to how an insurer values the case.
What if the property had a Bad Dog sign?
A clearly readable Bad Dog sign displayed in a prominent place on the premises can protect an owner, but it does not apply when the person bitten is a child under 6 (Florida Statutes 767.04). Whether the sign was actually posted and visible is something we would look into.
How do you find out if there is insurance to cover a dog bite?
We identify the owner and the address where the dog lives, then look for homeowner's, renter's, condominium or umbrella coverage. Florida law allows an injured person to make a written request for a liability insurer's coverage information, and the insurer generally must respond within 30 days (Florida Statutes 627.4137). Starting this early lets us tell you what coverage may exist.
Will homeowner's insurance pay for a dog bite?
Often, yes, because many homeowner's and renter's policies include liability coverage for injuries caused by a dog. Policies differ. Some limit coverage, and some exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history, so each policy has to be read.
What if the dog owner has no insurance?
The owner may still be personally responsible. We would look at whether the owner can be pursued directly, whether the owner has assets, and whether anyone else, such as a landlord, may share responsibility. We will tell you honestly whether pursuing the owner is likely to be worthwhile.
Should I talk to the owner's insurance company?
You generally have no duty to give a recorded statement to an insurer for the person who owns the dog. What you say can be used in evaluating the claim, so it is wise to speak with a lawyer first.
How soon should I call about a dog bite claim?
Call our office immediately at (305) 473-7858. Florida law sets deadlines for injury claims, and the right one can depend on how your claim is brought. Evidence also fades quickly, and the sooner we start, the sooner we can identify the owner and find out whether insurance applies. We can explain the deadlines that apply to your situation when we speak.
Can you help if I was bitten outside Miami-Dade?
Yes. Lascaze Law's only office is in Aventura, but the firm represents injured people throughout Florida using a remote intake process, with consultations by video or phone and digital signing.
Hear from Dolina Lascaze
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Lascaze Law
20200 W. Dixie Hwy, Suite 902
Aventura, FL 33180
Phone: (305) 473-7858
Email: info@lascazelaw.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM