Blog

Contact Us

Dog Bites2025-10-29T11:11:48-04:00
Compassionate, Results-Driven Representation

Orlando & Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer

When a dog attack disrupts your life, the medical expenses and insurance challenges that follow can be overwhelming. At De Armas Law, our experienced dog bite lawyer handles everything from filing claims to courtroom representation with zero upfront fees. With direct attorney access, honest answers, and 24/7 support, expert help is always within reach.

What To Do After a Dog Bite – We’re Here to Guide You

We know you’re probably shaken up, in pain, and your mind is racing with questions about what happens next. Take a deep breath and follow these steps:

  • 1
    Get to Safety First: Distance yourself from the dog or find something to put between you and the animal.
  • 2
    Check For Injuries: Look for puncture wounds, bleeding, or other serious injuries like broken bones.
  • 3
    Gather Information: Try to get the dog owner’s contact details, proof of rabies vaccination, and information about the dog, but only if it’s safe to do so.
  • 4
    Document Everything: Take photos of where it happened, the dog (if safe), your injuries, and get contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
  • 5
    Get Medical Care: Go to Tampa General, Orlando Health, or your nearest urgent care, even if your injuries seem minor.
  • 6
    Report It: Contact Hillsborough County (Tampa) or Orange County (Orlando) animal control, and call police if your injuries are severe.

We know the last thing you want to think about right now is legal deadlines, but reaching out to our dog bite attorney quickly can make all the difference in protecting your rights and getting you the help you need now.

Know Your Rights – How Florida’s Pam Rock Act Protects Dog Bite Victims

Effective July 1, 2025, a significant new law known as the Pam Rock Act (HB 593) has increased the responsibilities for owners of dogs with known dangerous tendencies in Florida. This law creates stricter rules even before a dog is officially classified as “dangerous” and introduces new, serious consequences after a severe bite.

Orlando and Tampa dog bite lawyer fighting for Central Florida dog owners' rights

Key Pam Rock Act Changes

  • Proactive Confinement: An owner with knowledge of their dog’s dangerous propensity must securely confine the animal, even without an official “dangerous dog” classification.
  • Stricter Requirements: Dogs officially classified as dangerous must be microchipped and spayed/neutered.
  • Mandatory Insurance: Owners of dangerous dogs must now carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance.
  • Serious Consequences: A dog must be humanely euthanized if it inflicts a bite on a human that scores a 5 or higher on the Dunbar bite scale.

Using the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale to Evaluate Your Injuries

Medical professionals use the Dunbar Bite Scale to categorize dog bite injuries, which helps determine the right course of treatment and legal action:

  • Level 1: Aggressive but no skin contact.

  • Level 2: Teeth make contact, but do not break the skin.

  • Level 3: A single bite with shallow wounds.

  • Level 4: A single bite with deep wounds.

  • Level 5: Multiple bites with deep wounds.

  • Level 6: Death of the victim and/or flesh consumed.

Understanding how this new statute affects your rights as a victim or your responsibilities as a dog owner is crucial. Learn more about the Pam Rock Act’s impact on dog bite claims and your rights by reading our detailed blog post.

Damages Recoverable by Our Dog Bite Lawyer

We know dog bite injuries affect so much more than the wounds you can see. The fear, sleepless nights, and financial stress all add up. Here’s how our dog bite lawyer can help you get back what this attack has taken from you:

De Armas Law for Personal Injury in Orlando and Tampa
  • Medical Costs: From that first scary trip to the emergency room, to any surgeries, ongoing care, reconstructive procedures, or infection treatment you need, we’ll work to get every dollar covered.
  • Financial Compensation: You shouldn’t have to worry about lost paychecks, reduced earning power, rehabilitation costs, or how your family will manage financially while you focus on getting better.
  • Emotional Damages: From the nightmares and new fear of dogs to the counseling you or your children need, the emotional healing comes at a cost, and you deserve compensation for the support that helps you feel safe again.

We handle all the insurance battles and work with trusted local medical specialists, so you can focus on what matters most: getting better.

Who Else Might Be Responsible for What Happened to You?

Sometimes the dog owner isn’t the only one who should be held accountable. Depending on your situation, other people may also bear responsibility for your injuries:

  • Property owners who knew about an aggressive dog but didn’t take steps to keep you safe.

  • Landlords who ignored tenant complaints about dangerous animals.

  • Business owners who allowed aggressive dogs on their property where you were hurt.

  • Event hosts who permitted dangerous animals at gatherings where you should have been protected.

Trusted Tampa Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Hillsborough County

Living in Tampa means you’re outside year-round, walking the neighborhoods, enjoying the parks, and letting your kids play in areas like Hyde Park, Westchase, and Carrollwood. Unfortunately, this also means dog bite incidents can happen in the places your family loves the most.

Why Our Tampa Experience Matters

  • We know how Hillsborough County animal control works and what to expect.

  • We understand Tampa General Hospital’s procedures for documenting injuries properly.

  • We’re familiar with liability rules across Tampa’s parks and recreational areas where families spend time.

  • We know local property management laws and how they protect tenants.

Our Advantage: We’ve seen what happens along Bayshore Boulevard’s busy trails, in Davis Islands’ family neighborhoods, and throughout areas like Seminole Heights, where communities are growing and changing. This local knowledge helps us build stronger cases because we understand how property owners might try to defend themselves, and we know who else might be responsible for what happened to you.

Orlando Dog Bite Lawyer Fighting For Central Florida Clients

Orlando’s mix of residents and visitors can create complicated dog bite cases across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties. Whether you’re visiting or call Central Florida home, our Orlando dog bite lawyer understands the unique challenges of vacation rental incidents, theme park area attacks, and tourist-related cases.

Dog bite lawyer for Central Florida's dog attacks

Why Our Orlando Expertise Matters

  • We work closely with Orange County animal control and understand their dangerous dog procedures.

  • We know how Orlando Regional Medical Center documents injuries and what records you’ll need.

  • We understand the unique liability issues when vacation rentals, tourists, or temporary visitors are involved.

  • We handle the paperwork across multiple counties and know what each court requires.

Our Advantage: We know where dog bite incidents create the biggest liability issues throughout Orlando—from International Drive’s hotel areas to family neighborhoods in Winter Park and Dr. Phillips. This local knowledge helps us find additional insurance coverage, hold property owners accountable, and use visitor protection laws that other firms miss in your case.

Why Choose De Armas Law?

Personalized Experience That Wins Cases

  • Industry Knowledge: Attorney De Armas previously represented major insurance companies in defending against dog bite cases and now uses this experience to win your case and maximize your settlement.

  • Personalized Service: You’re not just another case file to us. Our clients have our personal cell phone numbers, so you can always reach us when you have questions or concerns. We believe that when you truly take care of the client, everything else takes care of itself.

  • Client-First Commitment: Our philosophy is simple: your happiness and well-being come first. We put you at the center of everything we do, building trust through transparency, integrity, and genuine personal service that always puts your best interests first.

  • Risk-Free Representation: We offer free consultations, thorough case evaluations, and contingency fee arrangements. You pay nothing unless we win a settlement or verdict for you.

Other Practice Areas

Request Your Free Case Review

Injured in Orlando or Tampa? Contact De Armas Law for a free consultation — you don’t pay unless we win.

Give Us A Call

REAL STORIES FROM REAL CLIENTS

What our Satisfied Clients Are Saying

Site-Logo
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Answers From Our Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

We know you probably have a lot of questions right now. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns families ask our dog bite lawyer:

How do I know if my case is worth pursuing?2025-10-17T05:02:01-04:00

Most dog bite cases have real value, even when they might not seem “serious enough.” Our free consultation gives you an honest, straightforward assessment of what your case could be worth, so you can make the best decision for your family.

 

Can I win compensation if I was partly at fault?2025-10-17T05:01:28-04:00

Yes, you can still recover compensation. Florida recognizes that even if you played a small part in what happened, the dog owner still has responsibility. Your compensation might be reduced based on the circumstances, but don’t let it stop you from getting the help you deserve

Can I file a claim if the dog owner doesn’t have insurance?2025-10-17T05:00:56-04:00

Absolutely. While insurance makes things easier, if the owner lacks coverage, our Tampa and Orlando dog bite lawyer can help you explore other options, like finding other responsible parties or pursuing recovery through the courts.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit with an Orlando dog bite lawyer?2025-10-17T05:00:16-04:00

You generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. We’ll make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines.

LEGAL INSIGHTS

Recent Articles on Personal Injury Law & Client Resources

Explore our latest articles covering personal injury law, safety updates, and insights from real cases. We share practical guidance, legal updates, and the De Armas Law approach to helping clients recover — both in and outside the courtroom.

REQUEST YOUR FREE CASE REVIEW

When Dog Bites Happen, Central Florida Families Choose De Armas Law

We know how quickly everything changed for you. One moment you were going about your day, and the next, you’re dealing with injuries, fear, and so many unknowns. But here’s what we want you to know: you don’t have to figure this out alone. Let our trusted dog bite attorney near you handle the insurance fights, medical paperwork, and legal stress while you focus on healing. Contact Central Florida’s most dedicated dog bite lawyer for the support you need, with zero risk to you.

Quick Links

Connect With Us

DE ARMAS LAW

PERSONAL INJURY

Tampa Office

  • 5401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 100
    Tampa, FL 33609
  • 813-680-7777 *By Appointment Only

Orlando Office

© 2025 De Armas Law. All Rights Reserved | Website by Digital Space Marketing

Privacy Policy  |  Terms & Conditions

Request a Free Case Review

    By checking this box, I agree and consent to receive marketing emails and SMS messages from De Armas Law. By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms & acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Message and data rates may apply.

    This website uses cookies and third party services. OK
    Go to Top