Florida Dog Bite Lawyers

Florida ranks among the top two states in the nation for fatal dog attacks and major physical injuries.

If you have suffered a dog attack, our team of dog bite attorneys in Florida is here to help you stand up for your rights and hold the responsible party accountable. When someone’s dog bites you, knocks you over, or otherwise causes injury or harm, as a Tampa Bay resident, you have the right to pursue compensation for these injuries and hold the dog’s owner responsible for the animal’s behavior.

Over 14 years, dog attacks killed 471 Americans, and 800,000 people sought medical care for dog bites. Children and older adults make up the most common victims, with 42% of fatalities involving young children under age six. Florida Statute 767.04 establishes that when a dog owner fails to restrain their dog or take reasonable precautions to protect adults and children, the owner can be held legally liable for damages.

Florida law follows a "strict liability" standard for dog bites. This means dog owners can be held liable even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and regardless of the animal’s prior behavior. When walking through busy areas like downtown Tampa, Ybor City, or public parks, residents and visitors rely on these protections every day. By holding owners accountable regardless of intent, Florida law offers stronger safety for everyone in the region.

Unfortunately, only about 6% of dog bites lead to meaningful criminal charges, down from a previous average of about 21%. That’s why holding dog owners accountable through the civil legal system is so important. Our firm can help you seek justice.

In Tampa Bay, you can trust Kemp Law as your legal partner after a dog attack. We will help you understand your legal options and secure the resources you need to recover from your injuries. Our dog bite lawyers in Florida handle every case personally, providing each client with the respect and attention they deserve.

Contact our Florida dog bite attorneys by calling (727) 788-6792 today!

Key Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Florida

Taking the right actions after a dog bite can make a major difference in your health and in the strength of your legal claim. Medical professionals in the Tampa Bay area recommend seeking prompt medical attention, even for minor injuries, to prevent infection and get an official record of your wounds. Report the incident to your local animal control agency—such as Hillsborough County Animal Services or Pinellas County Animal Control—as soon as possible. Authorities may investigate and determine whether the dog poses a risk to others.

Once you address immediate health needs and report the attack, gather detailed information. Collect the dog owner's contact details, insurance information, and any available vaccination records for the animal. Speak to any witnesses, and try to obtain their names and phone numbers. Take clear photographs of your injuries, the location, and the dog if possible. These steps document your accident and help confirm key facts when building your case. By following these actions, you give your legal team a stronger starting point for pursuing compensation.

Keep a written record of how your injuries affect your day-to-day activities, work, or sleep. Recording pain levels, doctor visits, and related expenses can help your legal team accurately calculate damages and explain the impact of the incident to claims adjusters or in court. Throughout the process, communication with your attorney can support your claim and minimize delays. The actions you take just after a dog bite can shape both your recovery and the outcome of any claim you decide to pursue.

Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims

Dog bite victims in Florida often face unexpected financial and personal challenges. State law allows injured individuals to seek compensation for damages directly related to the attack. These damages typically include medical expenses, lost wages if you had to miss work, and rehabilitation costs. If scarring, disfigurement, or lasting mobility issues develop, the law also allows for claims addressing future medical treatments and loss of earning capacity.

Beyond physical harm, many victims experience emotional trauma that requires professional counseling or support. Pain and suffering—both physical pain and emotional distress—counts as a compensable loss in Florida. For severe attacks, courts may award additional compensation to reflect the lasting impact on quality of life. If the dog owner acted especially recklessly, punitive damages may also be available, though these are less common and require clear supporting facts under Florida statutes.

Gather and keep all documentation related to your treatment, prescription costs, lost income, and psychological treatment. These records form the foundation of a strong claim. Your legal team can help clarify what damages are available, ensuring you request all losses allowed by Florida law. Documenting your experience increases the chances of a fair outcome and helps illustrate the real effect the attack has had on your everyday life.

You Deserve a Great Team

Several top lawyer directory services in the United States have recognized Tampa Bay’s very own Kemp Law firm for excellent client satisfaction, based solely on the testimonials of previous clients, like these:

You Deserve Answers

After a dog bite injury, you may wonder what to do next, who to call, whether to seek medical attention, how to involve insurance companies, and how to report the bite to Florida authorities. If you need emergency medical care, get it right away. Your next call should be to Kemp Law.

We’ll help you take the proper steps to launch an investigation into the incident and to hold the dog’s owner accountable for what happened. This may involve the police, animal control, and other authorities. There will be paperwork involved and perhaps even an interview about the attack.

Keep Kemp Law close by your side during this process. There may be multiple aspects of Florida laws involved, including Florida dog bite legal statutes, premises liability law, negligent security law, and more. We’ll support you every step of the way and ensure you are fully informed about your rights.

You Deserve Results

We secure high-dollar results for our dog bite clients. As members of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, several Kemp Law personal injury attorneys have served as principal counsel in cases that resulted in a final judgement, award or settlement in favor of the client in the amount of $1 million, $2 million or more – they’re among the one percent of all attorneys in the country, and they’re right here practicing in the Tampa Bay region, ready to help you. We have the legal knowledge to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.

You Deserve Kemp Law

While the physical injuries from a dog bite can be extremely serious, it’s also common to have mental anguish as a result of the incident or even a lifelong fear of dogs. Your recovery may involve ongoing medical treatment, mental health counseling, and financial damage.

Please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to the Tampa Bay dog bite attorneys at Kemp Law to stand up for your rights and fight back against irresponsible dog owners. We can help you secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the impact of your pain and suffering.

We serve the people of Tampa Bay and the surrounding area, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs. As our client, you will benefit from our personal dedication to helping people injured as a result of a dog bite.

You are more than just a legal case to us. You are a person who has suffered an animal attack, and you deserve only the best legal representation. We’re here for you. Call us, text us, and reach out to us today to discuss your options.

Call (727) 788-6792 anytime – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Free Consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I have to file a dog bite claim in Florida?

Florida law gives you four years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury claim. Acting as soon as possible helps preserve important evidence and gives your attorney time to build a stronger case. Waiting too long may affect your ability to recover compensation.

Can the dog owner avoid liability if I was bitten while on their property?

Florida law generally holds dog owners liable when you are lawfully on their property. If you had consent to be there or were carrying out your job, you likely still have a claim. However, if you were trespassing, your compensation could be reduced or denied depending on the circumstances.

What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?

Florida’s strict liability standard means the dog's previous behavior does not affect your ability to bring a claim. Even if this was the dog’s first incident, the owner can still be held legally responsible for injuries resulting from a bite.