Most times, the interactions between humans and dogs are positive. However, sometimes dogs attack people and leave them with disfiguring physical scars and deep emotional wounds. Some people face grueling recuperation periods to recover from the incident and some injuries never fully heal.
If someone else’s dog bit you, you might assume that their homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the cost of your injuries. Unfortunately, not everyone has sufficient insurance coverage. A knowledgeable dog bite attorney could help you get the relief you need. We have worked on all types of lawsuits, including experience with a lack of homeowner’s insurance in Orlando dog bite claims.
Florida has laws that are favorable to dog attack victims. While other states require people to prove that the dog had a history of violent tendencies, our state courts do not use the one-bite rule. Under Florida Statutes § 767.04, the owner of a dog who bites someone in a public place or was lawfully in a private place is strictly liable for the bite victim’s injuries. Even if the dog’s owner was using reasonable efforts to control their pet, that owner could still be legally responsible for the bite victim’s injuries because the state imposes a strict liability standard instead of a negligence standard.
However, local courts also operate with a comparative negligence standard, which means a dog bite victim’s damages might be reduced if they were partially at fault for causing the attack. Knowledgeable personal injury attorneys could explain how the laws might apply.
Many Orlando area homeowners’ and renters’ insurance plans cover dog bite injuries and most people do not buy separate coverage for their dogs. Instead, dog bite insurance is lumped together with insurance for other types of risks, such as if an invited guest slips on the wet floor. Dog bite injuries are usually covered under a homeowner’s personal liability coverage because they fall under the personal liability category of a homeowner’s insurance.
An experienced Orlando attorney could review the dog owner’s insurance policy to see what it covers and what the coverage limits are.
Insurers sometimes exclude coverage for dog bite injuries in certain situations.
Some insurance companies offer one-bite coverage, where the insurer would pay for the injuries from one dog bite. However, if that dog bites someone again, the damages would not be covered.
Many Florida insurance companies exclude coverage from bites from dog breeds that have a propensity to be more aggressive, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Presa Canarios, Pit Bulls, Staffordshire terriers, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Wolf-hybrids, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and Rottweillers.
Homeowner’s insurance might not cover all of a person’s losses because the losses might exceed the personal liability coverage amounts under the homeowner’s policy. Some homeowners also purchase additional umbrella policies to protect them in case the policy limits of their existing policy have been reached. If the losses exceed the policy limits or the dog’s owner has no insurance, a dedicated attorney could help a dog bite survivor pursue a civil claim against the dog’s owner. The owner’s assets, including their personal property and real estate, could be seized to pay for the damages.
Seasoned attorneys could review the evidence and search for an avenue of legal and financial recovery.
Dog attacks are traumatic and can leave behind debilitating wounds. You might never be able to escape the emotional and physical trauma of a dog attack. Collecting insurance benefits from the dog’s owner could help you put your life back together.
However, if the dog’s owner lacks sufficient insurance coverage, you might have to pursue a legal claim. Speak to a dedicated lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm who knows how to handle the issue of lack of homeowner’s insurance in Orlando dog bite claims. We analyze every angle to help you get the compensation you rightly deserve.
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