Dogs are excellent companions. But an irresponsible dog owner should be held accountable if an aggressive dog has attacked you, a loved one, or a cherished family pet. Your St. Lucie County, FL dog bite lawyer can help you get the closure and compensation you deserve. At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we’re ready to provide you with our award-winning representation. Read on to see why you need a pet bite attorney, and contact us today to get started on your case.
Dog Bite Lawyer St. Lucie County, FL
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries – and those serious injuries may require serious medical care. Beyond stitches and a risk of infection, you may also need to deal with reconstructive surgeries, and even mental health services while you recover from the trauma. Unfortunately, all of this comes at a price.
Your continuing medical care also means continuing medical bills. And as you’ve learned by now, those bills are incredibly steep. You’ll need to pay for surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and more. And while you recover, you probably won’t be able to clock in for work as if nothing happened.
Between the doctor’s appointments and just trying to heal up, work has fallen by the wayside. We can’t blame you – your recovery should take priority. But this does mean you’re missing out on some much-needed paychecks. The sudden lack of income can make your financial situation even more stressful, especially if insurance isn’t paying you what you need.
You may have health insurance. The dog owner might have had pet insurance. But no matter the specifics, insurance companies are rarely easy to deal with. They may try to deny your claim completely, or just delay your payment for as long as possible. It’s a common strategy to get policyholders desperate enough to accept any payment – no matter how insultingly small.
Insurance isn’t helping. You’re missing work. And you still need medical treatment and psychological support. It’s time to get in touch with your St. Lucie County dog bite lawyer.
You can’t sue a dog, but you can take legal action against a negligent owner. Your animal attack lawyer can investigate what happened to determine what should have been done to prevent your injuries in the first place – and an experienced attorney can also fight against insurance companies to make sure you’re getting paid what you need, when you need it.
Why Experience Matters In Dog Bite Cases
At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we’re ready to use our experience to get you through your dog bite case:
- Our attorneys provide award-winning representation. We’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell, and we continue to provide the same level of dedicated service to all of our clients.
- We have over 40 years of combined legal experience. We know the best strategies for dog bite cases like yours, and we’ll use them to deliver real results.
- We’ve secured millions of dollars for our clients. A sizeable settlement can help you pay for your recovery, and move on after your dog attack.
Contact Us Today
At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us today, and see what a St. Lucie County dog bite lawyer from our office can do for you.
Types Of Dog Bite Cases We Handle
Dog bite cases show up in more ways than people think. Some involve a quick nip that needs a round of stitches. Others involve full-on attacks that leave scars, nerve damage, and trauma that sticks around long after the wounds close up. A St. Lucie County dog bite lawyer has to look closely at the facts to determine what happened, who dropped the ball, and what the injuries will ultimately cost the victim down the road. At Tuttle Larsen, P.A., we’ve handled a wide range of these claims across the Treasure Coast. Here’s what we tend to see.
Bites Causing Serious Puncture Wounds
Deep punctures from a dog’s teeth usually send people to the ER for stitches, a tetanus shot, and a course of antibiotics to head off infection. Even when the wound heals up, nerve damage and scarring can linger for years.
Attacks Resulting In Scarring Or Disfigurement
Facial bites are some of the worst cases we handle because the scarring is permanent and hard to hide. A lot of these folks end up going through reconstructive surgery, sometimes more than once, while also dealing with how it feels to see those scars in the mirror every morning.
Bites Involving Children
Kids get bitten more often than adults, and when they do, the injuries are usually worse. They’re smaller, their faces are closer to a dog’s mouth, and a bite that might leave a bruise on an adult can do real damage to a child. These cases take extra care to document both the physical injuries and the emotional fallout.
Attacks By Dogs With A History Of Aggression
When an owner knew their dog had snapped at someone before and didn’t take steps to stop it from happening again, that history is gold. Prior incidents show up in animal control reports, neighbor statements, and sometimes social media. Working with a St. Lucie County dog bite lawyer can help dig that history up and put it in front of the insurance company.
Bites Occurring On The Owner’s Property
Plenty of bites happen right at the owner’s house, often when someone is visiting as a guest. The owner is still on the hook in most of these cases, and homeowners’ insurance usually ends up paying the claim.
Bites In Public Places
Parks, sidewalks, beaches, and outdoor restaurants can become scenes of dog attacks. Local leash laws matter a lot here, and a clear violation makes the case a lot stronger.
Attacks On Other Pets
Not every dog attack is aimed at a person. Sometimes it’s another dog or a family cat on the receiving end. Owners can go after vet bills, the cost of replacing the pet, and the emotional weight of losing an animal they loved.
Bites By Dogs Running At Large
A dog running loose with no leash is usually a clear violation of local ordinances. These cases often come down to tracking down the owner and cutting through the excuses about how the dog “just got out that one time.”
Workplace Dog Bites
Delivery drivers, mail carriers, and home health workers face real risks on the job. These cases can pull in both personal injury law and workers’ comp, depending on the details of the event.
Attacks Involving Multiple Dogs
When more than one dog is in on the attack, the injuries get a lot worse. These cases tend to involve deep wounds, emergency surgery, and long recoveries.
Every dog bite claim deserves a lawyer who’s willing to dig into the dog’s history, the owner’s choices, and how the bite continues to affect the victim’s life. Insurance companies love to make a quick, lowball offer before the full picture is even clear.
Reach Out To A Firm That Will Stand Up For You
Tuttle Larsen, P.A. has more than 30 years of combined experience handling injury cases across the Treasure Coast. Our firm has earned recognition from Super Lawyers, and Doug Tuttle holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the top peer rating for professional excellence. Consultations are free, and we handle dog bite cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t owe us a dime unless we recover money for you. Reach out through our website today to sit down with a St. Lucie County dog bite lawyer who will actually listen and fight hard for what you’re owed.