New Port Richey Dog Bite Attorney

Legal Help After A Dog Bite Here

A sudden dog attack can leave you or your child with painful wounds, a risk of infection, and a lot of unanswered questions. You may be worried about scarring, medical bills, and whether you have any rights if the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or landlord. In this confusing moment, you need clear guidance and a team that will step in to deal with the legal and insurance issues for you.

At Kemp Law, we represent people who have been injured by dog bites and other serious incidents in this area. Our attorneys have handled more than 20,000 injury cases across Florida and Georgia, and we bring that experience to dog bite claims involving homeowners, renters, and commercial properties. When you reach out to us, you can talk with a lawyer about what happened, what options you have, and how we may be able to help, all in a free consultation.

Get in touch with our New Port Richey dog bite lawyer by calling (727) 788-6792 today!

Why Dog Bite Victims Turn To Our Team

Choosing the right legal team after a dog bite is about more than finding any lawyer. You are trusting someone to deal with insurance companies, evaluate medical and financial losses, and stand up for you if the dog owner or their insurer denies responsibility. We built Kemp Law to handle that responsibility with serious, action-oriented representation.

Our attorneys have resolved more than 20,000 cases, including many complex injury and negligent security claims. That volume means we have seen patterns in how insurers defend cases and how injuries develop over time. Members of our team previously worked on the defense side for insurance companies, so we understand how they evaluate dog bite claims, what information they look for, and what tactics they use to limit payouts. We use that knowledge to anticipate their strategies and to position our clients for stronger negotiations.

We prepare every case as if it could go to trial. This trial-ready posture signals to insurance carriers that we take dog bite injuries seriously and that we will not accept low offers that do not match the harm our clients have suffered. Our appellate partner has argued before the Florida Supreme Court and several District Courts of Appeal, which allows us to keep complex legal questions in-house when they arise in serious injury matters.

Understanding Florida Dog Bite Law & Liability

Many people are unsure whether they even have a dog bite case. Florida law is different from some other states, and it often provides strong protection for people who are bitten. You do not have to prove that the dog bit someone before or that the owner knew the animal was dangerous in order to bring a claim for a bite that happens here.

In general terms, Florida law holds dog owners responsible when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property. This can include bites in homes, apartments, and common areas at complexes, as well as in parks or businesses. There are exceptions and defenses that insurers may try to raise, such as alleging that the person who was bitten provoked the dog or ignored posted warnings.

These issues can become more complicated when the dog belongs to a tenant, a landlord, or a relative who does not live at the property where the bite occurred. Insurers may argue that coverage does not apply or that another party is at fault. Our attorneys are familiar with how these disputes tend to arise. We work to identify all possible sources of coverage, evaluate the facts, and push back when insurers try to shift blame unfairly.

What To Do After A Dog Bite To Protect Your Health & Claim

The hours and days after a dog bite can feel overwhelming. Taking a few practical steps can protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation later. Even if some time has already passed, there may still be important actions you can take now.

Prioritize Medical Care

Your first priority should be medical care. Dog bites can lead to infections, nerve damage, and lasting scarring, even when the wound looks small at first. See a doctor or visit an urgent care or emergency room as soon as you can, follow their instructions, and attend follow-up appointments. Keep copies of discharge papers, prescriptions, and any notes about your injuries.

Report & Document The Incident

When it is safe to do so, make sure the incident is reported. That may involve contacting local animal control, law enforcement, or building management, depending on where the attack occurred. A formal report can document the dog’s owner, vaccination status, and circumstances of the bite. It can also help prevent disputes later about whether the incident happened.

Key information to gather and preserve includes:

• Photos of your injuries over time, including any scarring or bruising.
• Pictures of the location where the bite occurred and any visible hazards.
• Images of damaged clothing or personal items that show the force of the attack.
• Names and contact details for the dog owner and any witnesses.
• Copies of medical records, bills, and reports from animal control or law enforcement.

Be Careful With Insurance Communications

Insurance companies may try to reach you quickly to get a statement or offer a small payment. Be cautious about signing paperwork or giving recorded statements before you understand your rights. What you say early on can affect how an insurer views your claim. If you contact a dog bite attorney New Port Richey from our firm, we can talk with you about how to handle calls from insurers and, if we represent you, we can take over those communications.

How Our Team Handles Dog Bite Claims

Understanding what it is like to work with a law firm can ease a lot of anxiety. At Kemp Law, we focus on making the process clear and manageable from the first conversation through resolution. Our goal is to carry as much of the legal and administrative burden as we can so you can focus on healing.

Simple, Accessible Onboarding

Getting started is straightforward. During your first contact, we will listen to what happened, answer initial questions, and gather the information we need to evaluate your situation. Our intake process is streamlined, and we use e-signatures so you can review and sign documents from home if we are a good fit for your needs. This helps you move forward without sitting in an office or dealing with stacks of paperwork while you are recovering.

Investigation & Case Building

Once we begin representing you, our attorneys investigate the bite and how it occurred. We work to identify all potentially responsible parties and any insurance policies that may provide coverage, such as homeowners, renters, or commercial general liability policies. We review medical records and speak with you about how the injuries are affecting your life, work, and family. This helps us understand the full scope of your losses, not just the bills that have already arrived.

Support With Treatment & Communication

Dog bite injuries sometimes require ongoing treatment, including wound care, physical therapy, or scar revision. Our team can help coordinate medical care and provide information about additional treatment options when something is not working. While medical decisions are always between you and your providers, we can help make sure bills and records are organized and properly documented for the claim.

Communication is a core part of how we work. We keep clients updated at each stage of the case so you always know where things stand. You can reach us by phone, text, or email, and we strive to respond quickly when you have questions or concerns. We also explain your choices in plain language when decisions arise, such as how to respond to a settlement offer.

Trial-Ready Preparation

Behind the scenes, we prepare your case as if it could go to trial. That means we gather evidence, consult with appropriate professionals when needed, and build a clear picture of what happened and how it changed your life. This trial-ready approach often helps when we negotiate with insurers because it shows that we are serious about pursuing fair compensation, whether that comes through a settlement or, when necessary, in the courtroom.

Compensation In Dog Bite Cases & What Affects Value

After a dog bite, many people want to know what their case might be worth. There is no single answer, because every situation is different, but there are common types of damages and factors that play a role in value. Understanding these can help you have more informed conversations about your options.

Compensation in a dog bite claim may include:

• Medical expenses such as emergency care, follow-up visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
• Future medical costs for additional procedures, including treatment for scarring or nerve damage.
• Lost income if you miss work during recovery or your earning ability is reduced.
• Pain and suffering related to physical pain, scarring, and lifestyle changes.
• Emotional distress including anxiety, fear of animals, and sleep problems, which are especially common in children.

Several factors influence how a case is evaluated. These can include the severity and location of the injuries, whether scarring is visible, the age of the person who was bitten, the strength of the liability evidence, and the amount and type of insurance coverage that is available. Insurers look closely at these issues when they decide how much to offer.

Our team has secured consistent multimillion-dollar results in a wide range of serious injury cases. While that does not mean any specific outcome in a dog bite matter, it does reflect our experience with valuing complex injuries and negotiating with insurers that resist paying what is fair. When we handle a dog bite claim, we work to account for both immediate and long-term consequences so that any settlement we pursue reflects the real impact on your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Really Need A Lawyer For A Dog Bite Case?

You are not required to hire a lawyer, but having one can make a significant difference in many dog bite cases. Insurance companies often move quickly to limit their exposure, and they may downplay injuries, question liability, or offer a settlement that does not reflect future medical needs or emotional harm. When we handle a dog bite claim, we evaluate the full picture, manage communications with insurers, and work to prevent common mistakes that can weaken a case.

Our team also understands how Florida law treats dog bites and how insurers in this area tend to respond. We can explain your rights in plain language and help you weigh your options. Even if you are unsure whether you want to move forward, a free consultation can give you clarity about whether pursuing a claim with legal help makes sense for you.

What Should I Do If My Child Was Bitten By A Dog?

If your child was bitten, medical attention should come first, even if the wound seems small. Children face particular risks of infection, scarring, and emotional trauma after a dog attack. Make sure the bite is evaluated by a healthcare provider, follow their instructions, and watch for signs of infection or behavioral changes such as fear, nightmares, or withdrawal.

Document the injuries with photos over time, keep copies of all medical records, and note any changes in your child’s daily life or activities. Reporting the bite to appropriate authorities can also be important for safety and for documentation. When you speak with us, we can explain how Florida law treats injuries to minors, how time limits work, and how we approach valuing both physical and emotional harm in a child’s dog bite case.

How Long Do Dog Bite Cases Usually Take?

The timeline for a dog bite case can vary, and it often depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, how long medical treatment lasts, the clarity of liability, and how cooperative the insurance company is. Some claims resolve in a matter of months when injuries stabilize quickly and liability is clear. Others take longer, especially when ongoing treatment is needed or when insurers contest fault or damages.

Our attorneys work to move cases forward efficiently while also making sure that important information about your recovery is available before major decisions are made. We keep you updated about where your case stands and what the next steps are. During your consultation, we can give you a more tailored sense of timing based on your specific situation.

Will I Have To Go To Court For A Dog Bite Claim?

Many dog bite cases resolve through settlement without a trial, but there is never a guarantee that court will not be involved. Whether a case goes to court often depends on how far apart the parties are on issues like fault and the value of the injuries. Our approach is to prepare every case carefully so that we are ready to go to court if that becomes necessary.

Being prepared for trial often improves our ability to negotiate because insurers know we are ready to present the evidence. If court proceedings do become part of your case, we will explain what to expect, help you get ready, and stand with you throughout the process. Our goal is to make each stage as understandable and manageable as possible.

Talk With Our Dog Bite Lawyers About Your Options

After a dog attack, you should not have to face medical bills, missed work, and insurance company pressure on your own. When you work with Kemp Law, you gain a team that understands serious injury claims, knows how insurers operate, and is committed to guiding you step by step. We focus on the legal and insurance issues so you can focus on your recovery and your family.

To talk with our team about your dog bite case and learn how a dog bite attorney New Port Richey can help, call (727) 788-6792 today.