Dog Bite Liability in Florida
Whether a dog owner in Florida is automatically liable for a bite, and the deadline to file a claim.
Short answer: Strict liability with reductions. A dog owner is liable for damages to anyone bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property (including the owner's), regardless of whether the dog was known to be vicious. Fla. Stat. § 767.04
| Dog bites | Strict liability with reductions. A dog owner is liable for damages to anyone bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property (including the owner's), regardless of whether the dog was known to be vicious. The owner's liability is reduced by the bitten person's percentage of negligence. If the owner displayed an easily readable "Bad Dog" sign in a prominent place, the owner is not liable unless the victim was under 6 or the owner was negligent. Source: Fla. Stat. § 767.04 |
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| Deadline to sue for an injury | A lawsuit founded on negligence (such as most car-accident and slip-and-fall injury claims) must be filed within 2 years. Claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment and other intentional torts have 4 years, as do product-related injury claims. The 2-year negligence period was shortened from 4 years by 2023 legislation; claims that accrued earlier may be governed by the prior law. |
More Florida personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Florida
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Florida
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Florida
- Car Accident Claims in Florida
- Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries in Florida
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Florida
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Florida
- Bicycle Accident Claims in Florida
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Florida
- Truck Accident Claims in Florida
- Construction Site Injuries in Florida
- All Florida personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
Is a dog owner liable for a dog bite in Florida?
Strict liability with reductions. A dog owner is liable for damages to anyone bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property (including the owner's), regardless of whether the dog was known to be vicious. The owner's liability is reduced by the bitten person's percentage of negligence. If the owner displayed an easily readable "Bad Dog" sign in a prominent place, the owner is not liable unless the victim was under 6 or the owner was negligent.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Florida?
A lawsuit founded on negligence (such as most car-accident and slip-and-fall injury claims) must be filed within 2 years. Claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment and other intentional torts have 4 years, as do product-related injury claims.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.