# Pensacola Dog Bite Attorneys at Michles & Booth ## Pensacola Dog Bite Attorneys at Michles & Booth Get Your Help Here! - Michles & Booth - / - Pensacola Dog Bites Injury Lawyers about us ## What Our Clients Say [all testimonials](https://www.michlesbooth.com/testimonials) https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpfTsD3jAqU about us [Learn More About Our Firm](https://www.michlesbooth.com/about-our-firm) ## Bitten by a Dog in Pensacola? We Can Help. A dog attack can happen in seconds, but the injuries left behind can take months or years to resolve. Deep bites lead to infections, surgeries, and extended hospital stays. Permanent scarring changes lives. The financial and emotional toll on victims and their families is real. After a dog attack in Pensacola, your first call should be to one of our skilled Pensacola dog bite attorneys. At Michles & Booth, we have represented injury victims across Northwest Florida since 2001. We pursue compensation that accounts for ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, not just the initial treatment. ## Florida's Dog Bite Law: What Victims Need to Know [Florida Statute 767.04](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0767/Sections/0767.04.html) establishes strict liability for dog owners, meaning an owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the animal had ever shown aggression. There is no "one free bite" rule in Florida. If you were lawfully in a public place or on private property when the attack occurred, the owner is liable. Florida also requires dog owners to keep their animals under full control at all times. Dogs must be secured behind appropriate fencing or on a leash strong enough to restrain the animal. Violations of local leash ordinances can strengthen a victim's claim. One factor that can affect your recovery is Florida's comparative fault rule. Under [Florida Statute 768.81](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html), a dog owner's insurer may argue that your own actions contributed to the attack. If a court assigns partial fault to you, your compensation is reduced by that percentage. A dog bite attorney in Pensacola can assess the facts of your case and counter these arguments before they affect your recovery. ## Types of Dog Bite Injuries We Handle The severity of a dog bite injury depends on the size of the animal, the location of the bite, and how quickly the victim received medical care. Even wounds that appear minor at first can develop into serious medical situations requiring surgery or hospitalization. The experienced team at Michles & Booth handles the full range of dog bite injuries that Pensacola victims face. ### Lacerations and Puncture Wounds These are the most common types of dog bite injuries. A dog’s teeth can penetrate the skin deeply, and wounds that appear minor at first may require stitches, wound debridement, or follow-up procedures. A dog bite claim can cover the full cost of your medical treatment, including plastic surgery for scarring. ### Infections Bacteria and other pathogens can enter a wound, leading to a serious infection that can spread throughout the body. Dog bite infections may require hospitalization, powerful antibiotic regimens, and even surgery. ### Nerve Damage Severe dog bites can damage nerves, causing numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of function in the affected area. Nerve damage can have long-term consequences that extend well beyond the initial recovery period. We pursue compensation that accounts for ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, not just the initial treatment. ### Scarring and Disfigurement Dog bites can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement that require plastic surgery or other corrective procedures. Facial scarring carries a particular emotional weight, affecting a victim's confidence and daily life long after the wound has healed. Sometimes, with child dog attack victims, they have to wait for years in order to receive plastic surgery because they are still growing. We pursue compensation for both the cost of corrective treatment and the lasting impact disfigurement has on your quality of life. ### Emotional Distress A dog attack can lead to anxiety, phobias, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological conditions. These psychological injuries can be present long after your physical wounds have healed. We can help you seek compensation for the emotional trauma you have endured. ### Broken Bones The force of a dog attack can knock a victim down or cause trauma to the hands and arms as the victim tries to defend themselves. Broken bones are a common result, particularly when large or aggressive dogs are involved. Treatment may include casting, surgical repair, and physical therapy. ### Eye and Facial Injuries Dog attacks directed at the face can affect the eyes, ears, and soft tissue around the nose and mouth. Eye injuries from a dog attack may cause partial or complete vision loss and often require specialist care beyond a standard emergency room visit. ## Proof We Can Handle Your Case: Our Case Results A jury awarded a Mossy Head man damages after finding a medical center negligent in their duties. We hold all property owners accountable, even hospitals. - $160,000 - $160,000 An Okaloosa County man was injured due to negligence. When the insurance company denied the claim, we took them to court and secured a verdict of over $300k. - $320,219 - $320,219 One of the largest personal injury awards in Bay County history was decided for an elderly man who said an unlicensed, underaged car wash employee backed into his bicycle. - $460,000 - $460,000 - section ## Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Attorneys Today! [get a Free Consultation](https://www.michlesbooth.com/contact-us) (850) 438-4848 Available 24/7 why us ## What Makes Michles & Booth Different? Dog bite victims in Pensacola have choices. Here is what separates Michles & Booth from other firms ### Two Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists Michles & Booth has two Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists on staff, a credential held by fewer than 2% of Florida attorneys. Board certification requires demonstrated trial experience, peer evaluation, and passage of a rigorous written examination. When your case goes to court, you want attorneys with that level of verified courtroom standing. ### A Licensed Medical Doctor and Full-Time Investigators on Staff At Michles & Booth, our licensed medical doctor directly evaluates the severity and prognosis of dog bite injuries. Our full-time investigators document the scene, gather evidence, and build the factual record your case needs. ### We Have Never Represented an Insurance Company For over two decades, Michles & Booth has represented only injury victims. We have never taken the other side. Our Pensacola dog bite attorneys pursue medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and compensation for permanent scarring without settling for less than the full picture of your losses. ### No Fee Unless We Recover Compensation for You You pay nothing out of pocket to start your case. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and serve clients from our Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville offices. https://www.youtube.com/embed/jK_B4jbqmVM see how we can help ## Our Trusted Pensacola Dog Bite Attorneys faq ## Frequently Asked Questions Most dog bite victims have two years from the date of the attack under [Florida Statute 95.11](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html). If your attack occurred before March 24, 2023, a four-year period may apply instead. - How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Florida? In most cases, yes. Homeowner's liability policies typically carry between $100,000 and $300,000 in coverage per incident, though breed exclusions can complicate claims depending on the dog involved. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and Michles & Booth handles all insurer communication directly so you are not left negotiating against a professional claims team. - Will the dog owner's homeowner's insurance cover my injuries? The most common are trespassing (claiming you had no lawful right to be where the attack occurred), provocation (arguing your conduct toward the dog contributed to the bite), and warning sign arguments (citing a posted "Beware of Dog" sign to suggest you assumed some risk). Our full-time investigators document the facts of the attack early to address each of these before they affect your settlement. - What defenses will the dog owner's insurer raise against my claim? Seek medical attention the same day. A dated medical record is among the most valuable pieces of evidence in any dog bite claim. Before leaving the scene, photograph the wound, the dog, and any failed fencing or leash, and collect the owner's name, address, and homeowner's insurance information. Report the attack to local animal control to create an official record, and do not give a recorded statement to the insurer before speaking with an attorney. - What should I do right after a dog attack in Pensacola? A successful claim may include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and how far the case needs to go to resolve. - What compensation can I recover after a dog bite in Pensacola? contact us ## Don't Be a Victim Twice™ — Contact Our Pensacola Dog Bite Lawyers Today If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog in Pensacola, do not wait to get legal advice. The dog owner's insurer may already be building their case. The exceptional Pensacola dog bite attorneys at Michles & Booth have taken on insurance companies for over two decades and have never charged a fee unless we recovered compensation for our clients. Call us at (850) 438-4848 or complete the form below to schedule your free consultation today. [501 Brent Ln Pensacola, FL 32503](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9416319889989520902) (850) 438-4848 [map & directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Michles+%26+Booth,+P.A.+Pensacola+Personal+Injury+Law+Firm,+501+Brent+Ln,+Pensacola,+FL+32503/@30.4731864,-87.224678,17z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8890bf8b1005338b:0x82ad7d0cd6454e06!2m2!1d-87.224678!2d30.4731864?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) - pensacola - Pensacola Don't Be a Victim Twice™ — Contact Our Pensacola Dog Bite Lawyers Today --- Michles & Booth — [https://www.michlesbooth.com/pensacola-dog-bites-lawyers](https://www.michlesbooth.com/pensacola-dog-bites-lawyers)