Attacked by a dangerous dog?
Injured in a dog attack? We handle Central Florida dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis.
A serious dog bite can leave you dealing with medical treatment, infection risk, scarring, missed work, and questions about who is responsible. If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Central Florida, an experienced Orlando dog bite lawyer can help you understand your rights under Florida law and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Serving injured Floridians since 1997
Florida based Dog Bite Attorney
Why Choose Maaswinkel Law for Your Dog Bite Case?
When you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury in Orlando or Central Florida, you need a lawyer who understands how Florida’s strict liability dog bite statute works and how insurers evaluate these claims. Founding attorney Greg Maaswinkel began his career at the Florida Department of Insurance and spent years in insurance defense before representing injured clients. Our team serves clients in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Practicing Since 1997
Founding attorney Greg Maaswinkel has represented injured Floridians since 1997, beginning at the Florida Department of Insurance.
Contingency Fee Basis
We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. Fees and costs are explained in writing before you hire us.
Local & Responsive
Based in Orlando, we know the courts, the dog owners, and their insurers.
Personalized Service
You’ll always talk to your attorney, not a call center, about your injury claim.
Past results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances, and prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Common Dog Bite Injuries & Damages
Dog attacks can lead to severe and lasting physical and psychological trauma.
Dog attacks can lead to severe and lasting physical and psychological trauma. While often perceived as minor incidents, dog bites frequently result in serious harm, ranging from deep physical wounds that require extensive medical intervention to profound emotional distress. These injuries can impose significant financial burdens through ongoing medical bills, lost wages, and potentially lifelong therapy. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims recover maximum compensation for the full spectrum of damages they endure.
- Puncture wounds & deep lacerations
- Facial injuries & disfigurement
- Bone fractures (especially in children)
- Nerve damage & tissue loss requiring grafts
- Infections (e.g., cellulitis, rabies)
- Psychological trauma, PTSD, anxiety
The Maaswinkel Law Difference
What We Fight to Recover:
- Medical expenses (past & future)
- Lost wages & loss of earning capacity
- Pain & suffering, emotional distress
- Reconstructive surgeries & scar revision treatments
- Psychological counseling & therapy for trauma
- Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence or known dangerous dogs)
Not sure what you can claim? Contact us now — we’ll help you understand what your case is worth.
What You Should Do After a Dog Bite Accident
Your actions immediately following a dog attack are crucial for your health and your legal case.
Seek immediate medical attention for all wounds, no matter how minor. Document everything.
Identify the dog and owner: Get their contact information and, if possible, vaccination records.
Collect evidence: Take photos of your injuries, the location, and the dog (if safe).
Report the bite: Contact Animal Control in Orlando to file an official report.
Avoid discussing fault with the dog owner or their insurance company.
Do not sign any documents or accept any settlement offers without legal counsel.
Call Maaswinkel Law before making any statements to insurance adjusters.
Florida has strict liability dog bite laws, meaning the owner is generally responsible regardless of prior viciousness.
Florida Dog Bite Law
Florida law can hold dog owners responsible when their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. Liability issues can still depend on the facts, including where the bite happened, whether a warning sign was posted, and whether the injured person may be accused of contributing to the incident. A lawyer can help evaluate how these rules apply to your case. For further details, review our Florida Dog Bite Law Explained blog article to understand liabilities and implication.
Dog Bites Involving Children
Dog bite injuries involving children can be especially traumatic. In addition to emergency care, families may face concerns about infection, facial injuries, scarring, and emotional distress. If your child was bitten by a dog in the Orlando area, it is important to document the injury carefully and understand all available legal options.
Compensation in a Dog Bite Claim
- Emergency room and follow-up treatment
- Plastic surgery or scar revision
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
How Maaswinkel Law Handles Your Case
From day one, we take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing and finding the best medical care.
Case Evaluation & Investigation
We gather Animal Control reports, medical records, interview witnesses, and investigate the dog's history (if any).
Settlement Negotiation
We demand full compensation from the dog owner's homeowner's insurance or other applicable policies, leveraging Florida's strict liability laws.
Filing a Lawsuit
If insurers refuse a fair offer, we file a formal lawsuit to protect your rights in court.
Discovery & Mediation
We engage in depositions, gather expert testimony (e.g., medical experts, psychologists), and participate in formal settlement talks.
Dog Bite Trials
What our Orlando clients say
Florida Dog Bite Laws & Statistics
As experienced dog bite lawyers in Orlando, we know Florida’s specific legal landscape. Florida operates under a strict liability statute for dog bites, meaning an owner is liable for damages if their dog bites someone in a public place, or lawfully in a private place. This applies even if the dog has never shown aggression before. Exceptions can apply if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog. We handle cases involving all breeds and circumstances, from minor nips to severe maulings.
Common Dog Bite Questions
Florida handles dog bite claims differently from most states. These answers cover how Florida Statute § 767.04 works and what it means for your situation.
Is Florida a one-bite state?
No. Many states follow a “one bite” rule that gives an owner a pass the first time. Florida does not. Under Florida Statute § 767.04, a dog owner is liable when their dog bites someone lawfully on public or private property, whether or not the dog had ever shown aggression before and whether or not the owner knew of any prior incident.
What if the owner had a "Bad Dog" sign posted?
Possibly. Florida Statute § 767.04 gives an owner a defense if a sign reading “Bad Dog” is displayed in a prominent place on the premises. The defense has limits: it does not apply if the owner was negligent, and it does not apply at all when the person bitten is under six years old.
Who actually pays for a dog bite injury in Florida?
In most cases the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not the owner personally. Dog bite claims are typically paid under the liability portion of those policies. Depending on where the attack happened, a landlord, property manager, or HOA may also carry coverage that applies.
What if the person bitten was a child?
Florida treats it differently. Under § 767.04, the comparative negligence reduction and the “Bad Dog” sign defense do not apply to a person under six years old. Children are also more likely to suffer facial and head injuries, which can involve long-term scarring and reconstructive treatment.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation is one of the few defenses available under § 767.04, so insurers raise it often. It does not automatically end a claim. Any reduction is measured against how much the bitten person’s own conduct contributed, and it does not apply when the person bitten is under six.
Florida Dog Bite Guides
- Florida Dog Bite Law Explained: Who Is Liable After a Dog Attack? — how § 767.04 strict liability works, common defenses, and deadlines.
- What to Do After a Dog Bite in Orlando, Florida — a step-by-step checklist for the hours and days after an attack.
- 5 Dog Bite Claims Florida Victims Miss — HOA, landlord, and vacation rental liability beyond the dog’s owner.