David R. Heil P.A.

Personal Injury Attorney in Orlando

Call Me for a FREE Consultation 24 HRS A DAY (800) 952-1622
  • Orlando
    (407) 326-2517
  • Winter Park
    (407) 599-2100
  • Melbourne
    (321) 327-2944
  • DeLand
    (386) 736-9000
  • Home
  • About
  • Free Consultation
  • Practice Areas
    • Auto Accident
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Boating Accidents
    • Brain Injury
    • Burn Injury
    • Defective Product
    • Dog Bites
    • Epcot Injury
    • Homeowner’s Cases
    • Hurricane Claim Attorney
    • Insurance Claim
    • Legal Consultations
    • Bus Accidents
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Neck and Back
    • Nursing Home Neglect
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Pharmacy Negligence
    • Pool Accident
    • Scooter Injuries
    • Slip & Fall
    • Spider Bites
    • Trucking Accidents
    • Theme Park Accident
    • Walt Disney World Injuries
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • I-4 Express Lane Accident
  • Results
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me
FREE CONSULTATION - NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

How Dog and Animal Bites Affect You and Your Pet

April 25, 2014 by David R. Heil, PA

Many people love dogs and other animals and enjoy having them as companions in their households. However, with owning these animals comes a grave responsibility to ensure that others are not injured by their actions. Animal bites are common occurrences that often cause legal difficulties for owners. In addition, your pet must also be protected from being bitten by other animals, whether neighborhood pets or local wildlife.

Legal Responsibilities of Animal Owners

It’s not only dogs that cause bites. Any animal with teeth could potentially cause an injury to a neighbor, guest or child that is visiting the household. Anyone who owns an animal is responsible for keeping it under control at all times when out in public. Whether the animal is kept on leash or in a type of pet carrier, the owner is responsible for maintaining adequate supervision of the animal at all times. The pet owner’s responsibility continues in their own home, with guests who may come to the home to visit. If your animal cannot be trusted around strangers or small children, you should put him in a separate room to ensure everyone’s safety.

Animal Bite Statistics

The American Humane Society states that 4.7 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. About 800,000 of these require medical care. Two-thirds of the bites happen on or somewhere near the owner’s property. About 50 percent of bite incidents involve children. Often, these incidents occur in children or even newborns. Insurance companies pay $1 billion in dog bite claims each year. Cat, ferrets and rabbits may also be involved in biting incidents, though at a lower rate than dog bites. Animals encountered in the wild also may be involved in biting incidences. Because some of these animals are at a high risk for rabies infection, it is important to get medical attention immediately. This advice also goes for your pet if bitten when wandering in the woods. Ensure that your pet is up to date on its rabies vaccination. If the animal is bitten, seek veterinary care immediately to protect your pet’s health.

Breed Specific Regulations

Many communities have enacted breed-specific legislation that excludes some breeds of dogs because of an idea that certain breeds are more prone to be involved in a biting incident. These laws are usually not based on any real statistics and are often just a reflection of peoples’ fears. These laws are expensive and difficult to enforce for these communities but may still cause difficulties with neighbors and civic officials. When looking for housing, research the regulations in the community to ensure that you will not be breaking any statute by having a pit bull, rottweiler or other targeted breed. Though any dog can bite someone, you can avoid running into legal trouble by complying with community standards. Your home insurance can also cost more if you have one of these breeds. Insurance companies often pay claims on dog bites and try to reduce their liability for certain breeds of dog.

Lawsuits Involving Animal Bites

If you or someone you know have been bitten by an animal you are entitle to file a lawsuit to recover expenses for medical care or other costs. If there are serious injuries, the animal may be put to sleep. This is why it is extremely important for dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times. Bites can cause serious damage to the facial appearance and can result in the need for expensive plastic surgery for which the pet owner will be liable.

Personal Injury Attorney David R. Heil P.A.

David R. Heil is an attorney with 29 years of experience in civil trial law. Your case will not be handled by an investigator, paralegal or case manager. He will personally meet with you to discuss your case at one of my offices, the hospital or your home. Legal information is available. His law firm representing dog bite victims throughout the U.S., is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with offices in Winter Park, and Deland. For more information about David R. Heil, please contact us at (407) 599-2100

 

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on Pinterest Share
Share on LinkedIn Share
Share on Digg Share
Post keywords: dog bites

Contact Me

Call for a FREE CONSULTATION 24x7: (800) 952-1622
Winter Park: (407) 599-2100 | DeLand: (386) 736-9000 | Melbourne: (321) 327-2944 | Orlando:(407) 326-2517

Practice Areas

  • Auto Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Brain Injuries
  • Burn Cases
  • Defective Products
  • Dog Bites
  • Epcot Injuries
  • Free Legal Consultation
  • Homeowner’s Cases
  • Insurance Claim Disputes
  • Lynx Bus Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Neck & Back Injuries
  • Nursing Home Neglect
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Pharmacy Negligence
  • Pool Accidents
  • Slip & Fall Injuries
  • Theme Park Accidents
  • Walt Disney World Injuries
  • Workers Compensation

David R. Heil P.A.

David R Heil, P.A.I am a trial attorney with over 35 years of experience in civil trial law. Your case will not be handled by an investigator, paralegal or case manager. I will personally meet with you to discuss your case at one of my offices, the hospital or your home. Legal information is available.

David R. Heil, PA

Request a FREE CASE REVIEW

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Why Choose David R. Heil, PA?

  • check-24No Fee Unless We Win
  • check-2435+ Years of Experience
  • check-24Free Consultation
David R. Heil, P.A., Attorneys & Lawyers, Winter Park, FL

Recent Blog Entries

  • Orlando Amusement Park Accidents
  • Personal Injury Attorney in Winter Park, FL
  • Orlando I-4 Express Lane Safety Tips That May Help Avoid Car Accidents
  • What is an Unsafe Lane Change in Melbourne, Florida?
  • What Should a Pregnant Woman Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

Quick Links

  • About David R. Heil
  • Case Results
  • Contact Our Firm
  • FAQ
  • FREE CONSULTATION
  • My Blog
  • Office Locations
  • Practice Areas
  • Testimonials
  • My YouTube Channel
appstorebutton googleplaybutton
facebook-white google-plus-white twitter-white
David R. Heil, P.A., Attorneys & Lawyers, Winter Park, FL
Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Orlando
Top Car Accident Lawyer in Orlando
Top Car Accident Lawyer in Melbourne
Top Personal Injury Lawyer in Orlando

David R. Heil, PA - Better Business Bureau A+ Rated - Office Locations

Winter Park - 2324 Lee Road Winter Park, FL 32789 Phone: (407) 599-2100

Melbourne - 1900 S Harbor City Blvd, Suite 219, Melbourne, Florida 32901 Phone: (321) 327-2944

Orlando - 121 S Orange Ave Suite 1596, Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 326-2517

Areas Served in Central Florida

  • Apopka
  • Altamonte Springs
  • Brevard
  • Casselberry
  • Central Florida
  • Clermont
  • Cocoa Beach
  • Daytona Beach
  • DeBary
  • DeLand
  • Deltona
  • East Orlando
  • Florida
  • Lake Buena Vista
  • Lake Mary
  • Longwood
  • Malabar
  • Melbourne
  • Merritt Island
  • New Smyrna Beach
  • Orange City
  • Orlando
  • Palm Bay
  • Rockledge
  • Sanford
  • Satellite Beach
  • Space Coast
  • Titusville
  • Viera
  • Winter Park
  • Winter Springs

Important Note

The hiring of a personal injury lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask me to send you free written information about my qualifications and experience.

This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Similar successful monetary results may not be seen by all clients seeking representation from Heil Law for accident or injury claims as each case is different. These results also reflect amounts awarded prior to deductions for attorney's fees, medical bills, and other court costs.

Copyright © 2023 David R. Heil, PA – Injury Attorney - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Accessibility Policy -  Sitemap Design and Marketing by Orange Rock Media