Dog Bite Attorneys Seeking Real Justice for Clients in Miami & Throughout the Tri-Counties of South Florida
Dog attacks are terrifying events that can leave victims shaken, seriously injured, and traumatized for years or even decades to come. Anyone can be bitten by a dog, though children, seniors, and people in certain occupations are most at risk. It is vital to speak with a Miami dog bite lawyer as soon as possible if a dog bites you or someone you love.
Recent changes to Florida law will hopefully reduce the number of serious and fatal dog attacks in the state. Unfortunately, dog bites are not 100% preventable. Our Miami dog bite injury attorneys are committed to holding owners accountable and pursuing maximum compensation for serious trauma or, worse, the tragic death of a family member.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we believe in Keeping It Real. This means thoroughly exploring your legal options and providing you with an honest evaluation of your case. Our attorneys have achieved Real Results for clients, obtaining more than $1 billion in settlements and at trial.
Don’t wait to seek qualified legal advice from a Miami dog bite lawyer. Contact us online or call 305-617-1111 today for a FREE consultation. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers serves dog bite victims throughout Miami-Dade County, including Coral Gables, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Beach, and other areas of South Florida.
"*" indicates required fields
Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
What To Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog in Miami-Dade
Taking action immediately after a dog bite is essential for your health and for preserving your legal rights. Delays can have serious repercussions for your well-being and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries.
Here is what you should do if you have been bitten by a dog in or around Miami:
- Get to Safety: Move away from the dog so you can avoid additional injury.
- Seek Medical Attention: Clean the wound by washing it with soap and hot water. Then, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Call 911 for serious injuries.
- Identify the Owner: If you know the owner or were attacked on the owner’s property, get their name and contact information. You should also ask for the dog’s vaccination history.
- Document the Attack: Take photos of your injuries, ripped clothing, and any other signs of the attack. You should also make note of the address or street where the attack took place.
- Speak to Witnesses: Testimony from witnesses can help support your claim. Witnesses may also be able to help you identify the owner if they are not present on the scene.
- Notify the Authorities: In Miami-Dade, dog bites must be reported to the Animal Services Department. This will create an official record of the attack. It may also help keep other people and animals in the community safe.
- Follow Up with Medical Care: Dog bites carry a high risk of infection. Follow all protocols for post-exposure rabies treatment, tetanus shots, etc.
- Preserve Medical & Financial Records: Bills, receipts, and other records can help establish the severity of your injuries and the costs.
- Don’t Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone: The owner’s insurance company may try to contact you, but it’s important to avoid speaking with them until you have an attorney.
- Contact a Miami Dog Bite Attorney: You have a limited time to make a claim, and crucial evidence may be lost if you wait. Our attorneys will take action right away so we can prepare a strong case on your behalf.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers provides Real Advocacy for people who have been bitten by dogs. We also provide supportive counsel and aggressive representation in wrongful death claims when dog attacks prove fatal. Don’t wait to find out if you and your family are entitled to compensation.
How Our Miami Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help
Recovering from a dog bite can be difficult. The pain can be excruciating and is often exacerbated by physical limitations and psychological trauma. Legal action is probably the last thing on your mind. By hiring a Miami dog bite attorney, you can focus on your health and your family and leave the legal matters to professionals with Real Experience.
Here’s how Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can help with your dog bite claim:
- Investigating the attack and collecting evidence
- Determining who owns the dog and any additional defendants
- Calculating the damages you are due
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company
- Preparing your case for trial and, if necessary, representing you in court
Our firm starts trial preparation on day one. Even if the case doesn’t go to trial, this ensures that we build the strongest possible claim on your behalf and advocate for you effectively.
We can also connect you with services to aid in your recovery. This can provide you with peace of mind and enable you to focus on healing while our team works on your case.
Are Owners Liable for Dog Bites in Miami?
Yes, dog owners are generally liable for dog bites. Florida follows a strict liability standard in dog bite claims. Owners may be held liable if their dog bites someone in a public place, or if the victim is lawfully on private property when the attack occurs.
Unlike many states, Florida does not have a “one-bite rule.” Owners may be held liable for dog bite injuries regardless of whether they knew of the dog’s prior viciousness. This means you do not need to prove negligence on the part of the owner to recover compensation.
Are There Any Exceptions to Strict Liability in Florida?
While owners are strictly liable for dog bites, Florida law does include several exceptions. These include:
- Comparative Negligence by the Victim: If the victim contributes to the attack by provoking the dog or ignoring warning signs (e.g., barking, raised hackles, etc.), the victim may be considered partly at fault.
- Trespassing: Strict liability applies when the victim is lawfully on private property. Trespassers do not meet this standard, so the owner may not face liability for a dog bite.
- “Bad Dog” Sign: Owners may be able to avoid strict liability if they prominently place a warning sign on their property reading, in part, “Bad Dog.” This defense does not apply if the victim is under the age of 6 or if the owner’s negligence contributes to the attack.
- Police Dogs: Florida law provides immunity for law enforcement agencies if a canine officer bites someone in the course of their duties.
Experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Miami will have a detailed understanding of these exceptions. They will be able to determine what damages you may be able to recover, as well as dispute accusations of fault in an effort to maximize compensation.
What Is the Pam Rock Act?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Pam Rock Act into law in May 2025. It is named after a postal worker who was savagely attacked and killed by a pack of dogs. The Pam Rock Act increases public protections from dangerous dogs, as well as lays the groundwork for victims to have access to compensation if they are bitten by a dangerous dog.
Key provisions of the law include:
Behavior-Based Classification
A “dangerous dog” is defined as any dog that has engaged in one or more of the following:
- Aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered a human being, or inflicted severe injury, while on public or private property;
- More than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off their owner’s property;
- When unprovoked, chased or approached a person on the streets, sidewalks, or other public grounds in a menacing way or with an apparent attitude of attack.
Owner Obligations for Dangerous Dogs
If a dog has been declared dangerous, the owner has the following legal duties:
- Registering the dog with local animal control and renewing the certificate annually
- Maintaining a current rabies vaccination
- Confining the dog within a proper enclosure and posting warning signs on the premises
- Restraining and muzzling the dog when outside the enclosure
- Microchipping the dog
- Having the dog spayed or neutered
Liability Insurance Requirements
Owners with a dangerous dog must also carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance. This is to pay for damages if the dog subsequently bites someone else.
In the Event of a Death or Severe Bite
Animal control can confiscate a dog that kills a person or whose bite is assessed at Level 5 or higher on the Dunbar Bite Scale. The animal must be impounded and/or quarantined pending an investigation. In extreme cases, the dog may be humanely euthanized.
No one should have to deal with the aftermath of a severe or fatal dog attack on their own. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers is here to advise and support victims. We closely follow legislative developments so we can capably represent clients in Miami-Dade and beyond.
Read More: What Florida’s Pam Rock Act Means for Dog Owners & Dog Bite Victims
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?
A serious dog bite injury can have significant ramifications. The cost of treating a dog bite can total tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. You may be unable to work while you recover, and your ability to work may be compromised. In addition to the financial burdens, you may experience anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues that can make it difficult to live the way you did before the attack.
The Miami dog bite attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can pursue Real Justice on your behalf. We fight for the full compensation you are entitled to, including:
- Past, current & future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Additional costs for surgery, rehabilitation & therapy
- Home & vehicle modifications
- Pain & suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring & disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the worst happens and your loved one does not survive their dog bite injuries, we can bring a claim for wrongful death damages on your behalf. You and your family may be entitled to recovery of funeral and burial expenses, loss of income and financial support, and more.
What If I’m Partially At Fault?
Claims where the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault are barred. If you are 50% or less at fault, you may still be able to recover some damages for a dog bite.
Any compensation you are due is reduced in proportion to your degree of negligence. Say, for example, that your losses from a dog bite total $100,000. You are found to be 10% at fault, while 90% of the liability is assigned to the owner. Under Florida’s comparative negligence rule, you could still obtain $90,000 for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
The time limit for dog bite claims is the same as the general statute of limitations for personal injury. You have up to 2 years to make a claim, starting on the date you were bitten.
Wrongful death claims are also subject to a 2-year statute of limitations in Florida. The clock starts on the date of your loved one’s death.
Two years is not much time to gather evidence, prepare a case, and file a lawsuit (if needed). Our team of personal injury lawyers can take on all aspects of your dog bite claim and meet all legal deadlines.
Why Dogs Bite
Understanding the potential causes of a dog bite can help reduce the risks of being bitten. It is particularly important for parents with young children to teach their little ones not to approach strange dogs, as well as the behaviors that might indicate when they are more likely to bite.
Some of the most common reasons why dogs bite include:
- Fear or anxiety, especially if the dog is cornered or startled
- Protective instincts, if the dog believes its territory or family is threatened
- Changes in behavior due to sickness or pain
- Provocation; children, especially, may be bitten if they unwittingly hurt or disturb a dog
- Lack of training or socialization
Even well-behaved dogs can bite unexpectedly, sometimes with seemingly no provocation. It is critical to keep clear of dogs you don’t know, and exercise caution when around someone else’s dog.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Miami?
From 2022 to 2023, Miami-Dade County Animal Services recorded a 6.6% increase in the number of animal bites on humans. Dog bites make up the majority of these incidents.
Nationwide, millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. Approximately 12,000 of these injuries require hospitalization.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs can do a lot of damage with their mouths. The average dog’s bite is approximately 3 times stronger than that of a human. While the majority of dog bites amount to little more than scrapes or barely break the skin, some bites are much more serious. These include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Fractures & broken bones
- Soft tissue injury
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Head & facial trauma
Psychological trauma is extremely common following any animal attack. You may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or social anxiety in situations where dogs are in the vicinity. For animal lovers, a fear of dogs can be devastating.
Serious Infections From Dog Bites
The threat posed by a dog bite is not limited to the pain and trauma of the initial injury. Infections can be serious and even life-threatening if they are not treated quickly.
Early evaluation and treatment can prevent infections from dangerous bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. If you haven’t been vaccinated for tetanus in the last 10 years, doctors will likely recommend a tetanus shot. Finally, if you don’t know whether the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis may be necessary.
– you are in good hands!
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers: Real Experience. Real Advocacy. Real Justice
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, permanent scars, and lingering emotional distress. Even minor bites can be painful and lead to infection risks, potentially requiring significant (and expensive) medical intervention.
A Miami dog bite injury attorney can help you protect your rights and pursue all of the compensation you deserve. We pride ourselves on supporting you through your recovery journey and advocating for you in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial.
Contact Our Dedicated Miami Dog Bite Attorneys Today for a FREE Case Review
People in Miami-Dade love their dogs. Unfortunately, dogs can bite and seriously injure people despite the precautions an owner takes. The good news is that you may be able to claim compensation for damages such as medical expenses, loss of income, pain, emotional upheaval, and more.
For a FREE consultation with a Miami dog bite lawyer, call 305-617-1111 or fill out our online contact form. There is no upfront cost, and you only pay legal fees if we win you compensation. Take the first step toward the Real Justice you deserve today. We’re ready to help.