The Panama City dog bite lawyers at The Bruner Law Firm have experience handling cases just like yours. We understand the devastating effects your injuries have caused. We’ll be by your side every step of the way and fight hard for the compensation you deserve. We take our clients’ cases seriously. From the second you hire us, we will treat you like our family. We believe in open and honest communication at all times. You can depend on us to answer all your questions and keep you updated on the status of your case. Our team of legal staff is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality customer service.
Since opening our firm over 25 years ago, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for victims of dog bites. It is our mission to reach a favorable outcome in your case as efficiently as possible. Whether the injuries you sustained were minor or severe, you can depend on us to make you and your case a priority. The Panama City dog bite lawyer you work with will keep the lines of communication open at all times. You’ll never wait long to get your questions answered or receive a callback. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach us when you need us.
We make sure to treat our clients with respect and professionalism, no matter what. We take pride in our legal services and aim to make ourselves available when it’s convenient for you. If you or your loved one was the victim of a dog bite, call us at (850) 769-9292 today for a free consultation.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
When you leave your home to run errands or go to a friend’s house to hang out, you don’t expect an injury will occur. You assume you’re going to be safe, and the person responsible for their dog won’t allow it to harm you. However, accidents happen. Whether you’re at a grocery store, public park, restaurant, or friend’s house, someone else’s negligence could cause your injuries. Negligence is the failure of a person to take reasonable care to avoid injury to another person. At The Bruner Law Firm, we know the unfortunate affects the victim of dog bites. It causes a financial burden and turns your life upside down.
The most common dog bite injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Puncture wounds
- Scars
- Eye injuries
- Rabies
- Nerve damage
- Facial injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Emotional damage
Our firm understands the lasting impact that a dog bite can have on a victim’s life, both physically and emotionally. This is especially true if the victim is a young child (as many dog bite victims often are), since the emotional scars could last a lifetime. Don’t forfeit your chance at getting justice and compensation by ignoring your right to file an injury claim.
It is crucial to note that most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for dog bites. This is helpful for many victims, since many dogs that bite are owned by friends, neighbors, or families – they are someone the victim knows personally. This makes it hard to consider filing a “lawsuit” against a family member…but you might not have to do so to get what you’re owed. Instead, you could file an injury claim against the policy they’ve paid for, and get the money you need from the insurer, not the pocket of your friend, family member, or acquaintance.
What Should I Do if I Suffered A Dog Bite Injury?
If a dog bit you, you must seek medical attention immediately. Undergoing an evaluation at an urgent care facility, hospital, or wound specialist could prevent infection or possible complications in the future. If you decide to seek legal representation from the The Bruner Law Firm, your medical records could help build a solid case. When you hire us, we will handle every aspect of your case from start to finish so you can focus on your recovery.
We’ll begin the process by filing a claim against the individual’s or entity’s insurance company on your behalf. Every business carries general liability insurance that covers injuries someone sustains on their property. If your injury occurred on someone’s private property, we could seek compensation from their homeowner’s insurance policy. The settlement amount we try to recover will depend on the liability limits listed on the insured’s policy. Once we file a claim and obtain a copy of the insurance policy, we’ll know the maximum compensation we can seek from the insurance company.
While we’re reviewing the at-fault party’s insurance information, you should follow your physician’s directives and show up for regularly scheduled appointments. Whether your injury is minor or severe, you must seek medical evaluations and treatment until your doctor releases you. Your medical records could provide excellent evidence in your claim to prove to the insurance company that you’re eligible for compensation. Along with keeping your medical records on file, your Panama City dog bite lawyer will obtain the evidence they believe they need to prove negligence in your case. Some of this evidence includes:
- Incident reports
- Property records or lease agreements
- Witness statements
- Insurance policies
- Video surveillance
- Photos
Once we’re finished examining the evidence, we’ll file a claim with the insurance company. If, at any time, we are not able to reach a settlement or the settlement offer from the insurance company is lower than expected, we can move forward with filing a lawsuit. Dog bite lawsuits are typically filed against the building’s or property owner’s insurance company for compensation to pay for your expenses. Additionally, we could file a lawsuit against the individual that failed to prevent your injury for a monetary reward. Our trial lawyers never back down from a fight and will use their experience to reach a fair and positive outcome.
Types of Damages Available in Dog Bite Claims
There are two types of damages in personal injury claims. Compensatory damages compensate the injured party for losses incurred as a direct result of the incident in question. Punitive damages would come from the negligent person if they exhibited reckless behavior. The compensation you seek should be anything that helps you recover from your injuries, emotional trauma, and financial responsibilities due to the dog bite. Many states vary when it comes to damages, and your Panama City dog bite lawyer from the The Bruner Law Firm will discuss which ones you’re eligible to receive. In the state of Florida, you could seek compensation for the following compensatory damages:
- Medical expenses: Any treatment deemed medically necessary, such as hospital visits, physical therapy, home health care, surgery, prescription medications, and specialty care.
- Lost Wages: Pay you couldn’t earn in the past or can’t earn in the future because of your injuries. Lost wages also include lost commissions, promotions, bonuses, and paid time off.
- Pain and Suffering: Significant pain and discomfort due to your physical injuries, as well as the effects it has on your lifestyle.
- Emotional Distress: PTSD, depression, anxiety, or any other psychological effect the incident caused.
- Loss of Consortium: Immediate family members are eligible for compensation if their relationship with you suffered a negative impact because of your injuries.
- Wrongful Death – If an individual’s dog bite results in death, their loved ones could seek compensation for expenses, such as funeral and burial costs.
If the liable party’s insurance limits are high enough, you may receive compensation for all your damages. You must keep a record of everything to prove you deserve compensation for each compensatory damage. Keep receipts for prescriptions, copies of your medical records, and any lost wage reports for your missed time at work. If you’ve paid for anything out of pocket, you should keep those receipts or bank statements as well. All of this documentation can help us in your case and show the insurance company what your expenses are so they will have to payout their limits to you.
Injured from a Dog Bite? Call The Bruner Law Firm for a Free Consultation
We don’t believe in adding to the financial burden our clients face. That’s why we offer free consultations to anyone thinking about retaining an attorney. There’s absolutely no risk or obligation to speak with us. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment so you’re able to discuss your case and receive legal advice about how you should move forward. We don’t believe in pressuring anyone into making decisions they’re not ready to make. After reviewing the details of your dog bite case, we’ll tell you what your options are so you’re able to choose what’s best for you moving forward.
We know that hiring a lawyer can seem intimidating at first. We strive to ensure the environment in our offices is as welcoming and comfortable as possible. We treat our clients like they’re family. Our Panama City injury lawyers will always treat you with respect and professionalism, no matter what. We take tremendous pride in the way we interact with everyone who walks through our doors and the results we’re able to achieve for them. You can depend on us treating you like a priority until your case gets resolved. We ensure our clients’ calls get returned promptly, and nothing involving their case falls through the cracks.
If you or your loved one sustained injuries from a dog bite, call The Bruner Law Firm today. We’ll be happy to review all the details of your accident and determine if it’s something we’re able to handle. We know you’ll be satisfied with the legal services we provide. Let us help you get on the road to recovery. We serve our clients from two conveniently located offices in Panama City and Fort Walton Beach. Call us at (850) 769-9292 right now and we’ll schedule your free consultation.
