Your Dog Bite Attorney in Orange Park, Florida

Bitten by a dog in Orange Park or Clay County? You don't pay unless we win. Phillips, Hunt & Walker fights for dog bite victims under Florida's strict liability law. Our Board Certified civil trial attorney has recovered millions for injured clients. Get your free consultation today—no costs, no interest on expenses.

Call (904) 444-4444 or contact us online

Florida Dog Bite Law: Your Right to Compensation

Florida protects dog bite victims through one of the nation's strongest strict liability statutes. Unlike some states, you don't have to prove the dog's owner knew it was dangerous. Under Florida Statute §767.04, the owner is automatically liable if their dog bites you on public property or while you're lawfully on private property—including the owner's property.

What Florida Law Says About Dangerous Dogs

Florida Statute §767.01 defines a dangerous dog as one that has severely injured or killed a human without provocation, or a dog that has been previously determined to be dangerous. Florida Statute §767.11 allows the government to classify a dog as dangerous based on its behavior and history. However, §767.04 strict liability applies regardless of classification—the moment a dog bites you, the owner owes you compensation.

The key: you must be in a place where you have a legal right to be. Trespassing or provoking the dog can affect your case, but Florida's 51% comparative negligence bar (§768.81) means you can recover even if you're partially at fault, as long as you're not more than 50% responsible.

Why Choose Phillips, Hunt & Walker for Your Dog Bite Claim?

John M. Phillips is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law—placing him in the top 1% of Florida attorneys. Our firm has recovered $49.5 million in verdicts and settlements, including the largest verdict in Duval County history (2019). We focus on personal injury cases where lives are disrupted. Here's what sets us apart:

• No upfront costs. You don't pay investigation, expert, or court fees unless we win.

• No interest charged on case expenses. Unlike other firms, costs don't compound.

• Contingency fee model. We only get paid if you get paid.

• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law with AV-Preeminent rating (highest legal quality).

• Experience with catastrophic injuries: fractures, lacerations, infection (MRSA), nerve damage, facial reconstruction, and psychological trauma.

• Licensed in FL, GA, AL, NY, TX, IL, OK, and DC—we handle cases across the Southeast.

• Local presence in Orange Park and Clay County since our founding.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries We Handle

Dog bites can cause severe, lasting injuries. The most common include:

• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds. Large dogs can cause wounds requiring multiple stitches, surgery, or skin grafts.

• Facial injuries. Bites to the face, lips, nose, or ears often require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scarring.

• Nerve and tissue damage. Bites can sever nerves, causing permanent numbness, weakness, or loss of function.

• Bone fractures. Large dogs can break bones, especially in children and the elderly.

• Infection and disease. Dog bites carry high infection risk, including MRSA, tetanus, and rabies exposure.

• Psychological trauma. PTSD, anxiety, and phobia of dogs are common, especially in child victims.

• Permanent disability. In severe cases, bites cause loss of function, disfigurement, or amputation (rare but catastrophic).

Each injury type affects your compensation. Facial scarring, for example, carries higher damages for disfigurement and emotional distress than a bite to the leg.

Comparative Negligence in Florida Dog Bite Cases

Florida Statute §768.81 allows you to recover compensation even if you are partially at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you're 30% at fault, you recover 70% of your damages. The critical rule: you cannot recover if you're more than 50% at fault (the 51% bar).

This matters in dog bite cases because defendants often claim you provoked the dog, trespassed, or ignored warning signs. We fight these arguments with evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis to minimize your assigned fault and maximize your recovery.

What Compensation Is Available?

Florida law allows you to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses: emergency room, surgery, stitches, infection treatment, reconstructive surgery, therapy.

• Lost wages: income you lost while recovering or undergoing treatment.

• Pain and suffering: compensating you for the physical pain and trauma of the bite.

• Disfigurement and scarring: significant awards for permanent scars, especially on visible areas like the face.

• Emotional distress and PTSD: damages for psychological harm, including anxiety and phobia.

• Permanent disability: if the bite causes lasting loss of function or mobility.

• Future medical care: ongoing treatment, therapy, or reconstructive surgery.

• Punitive damages: in rare cases where the owner's conduct was reckless or intentional (like knowing the dog was dangerous).

One-Bite Rule vs. Strict Liability: What's the Difference?

Many states follow the 'one-bite rule,' which means a dog owner isn't liable for a bite unless they knew the dog was dangerous—typically proven by a prior bite or attack. Florida rejects this outdated standard.

Florida's strict liability law (§767.04) is much stronger for victims: the dog owner is automatically liable for any bite, regardless of prior behavior or knowledge. This means you don't have to dig up old incidents or prove the owner knew about a dangerous temperament. The bite itself establishes liability.

The only defenses available to the owner are: (1) you trespassed on their property or were there without lawful right, (2) you were more than 50% at fault (comparative negligence), or (3) you assumed the risk by knowingly interacting with the dog. We systematically counter these defenses.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite

If you or a loved one is bitten by a dog, take these steps:

• Seek immediate medical care. Go to the ER or urgent care, even for seemingly minor bites. Document everything medically.

• Report to animal control. This creates an official record of the incident and the dog's vaccination status.

• Get the owner's information. Name, address, phone, homeowner's insurance (if available).

• Photograph your injuries. Take photos of the bite wound, surrounding area, and progression of healing.

• Gather witness information. Get names and contact details from anyone who saw the bite.

• Keep all medical records. Bills, doctor's notes, prescriptions, receipts for treatment.

• Document lost wages. Proof of time off work and income lost.

• Contact an attorney immediately. Don't discuss the incident with the dog owner's insurance—let us handle it.

Orange Park and Clay County Dog Bite Claims

Orange Park residents and Clay County residents have the same strict liability rights under Florida law. Whether your bite happened at a public park, on private property, or in a neighbor's yard, the owner is liable. We serve Orange Park, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, and throughout Clay County.

1. Do I have to prove the dog owner knew it was dangerous?

No. Florida's strict liability law means the owner is automatically liable the moment their dog bites you, regardless of prior incidents or the owner's knowledge of dangerous behavior.

2. Can I recover if I was partially at fault?

Yes, under Florida's comparative negligence law (§768.81). You can recover as long as you're not more than 50% at fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.

3. How much is a dog bite case worth?

Value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, scarring, psychological impact, and jurisdiction. Minor bites settle for thousands; severe facial injuries or infections can reach hundreds of thousands or more.

4. What if I can't afford a lawyer?

You don't pay upfront. We work on contingency—no costs, no fees unless we win. We also charge no interest on case expenses.

5. How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Florida Statute §95.11 gives you 4 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, act quickly—evidence and witnesses fade fast. Don't wait.

6. What if the dog was on a leash or the owner said 'he's friendly'?

Irrelevant. The dog bit you. Strict liability applies regardless of the dog's apparent friendliness or whether the owner was negligent in handling the leash.

7. Can I sue for future medical care and PTSD?

Yes. We recover damages for future medical treatment, therapy, reconstructive surgery, and psychological injuries like PTSD and phobia.

CTA SECTION

Don't let a dog bite go unpunished. Phillips, Hunt & Walker will fight for your full recovery.

Call (904) 444-4444 for your free consultation. No upfront costs. No interest on expenses. Contingency fee—we only win if you win.

Located at 660 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204. We serve Orange Park, Clay County, and all of Northeast Florida.