dog bites

Homeowner Liability in Florida Dog Bite Cases

September 15, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The recent deadly dog attack on a Florida mail carrier highlights the responsibility of pet owners, regardless of whether an attack occurs on a pet owner’s property.

According to news reports, the mail carrier was on her delivery route when her vehicle broke down in Putnam County. She was attacked by five dogs. Witnesses rushed to her aid, tried to pull the dogs off, and even fired a rifle in an attempt to scare the dogs away. She was taken to the hospital, but died the next day. Neighbors said the dogs were known to be mean and frequently escaped from a fenced area of their owner’s property, once killing another small dog. They said the 61-year-old mail carrier was known for leaving apples with the mail.

Dogs chasing the mailman is a cliche that is sadly rooted in fact. The United States Postal Service reports mail carriers are frequent victims. Last year, more than 5,400 mail carriers were attacked, with more than 200 of those attacks occurring in Florida.

COVID Christmas and “Man’s Best Friend”

December 6, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

So it’s COVID and it’s Christmas and you’ve decided to get a dog. While man’s best friend can bring years of love and enjoyment for single older adults and families alike, dogs are highly individualistic, and have certain breed characteristics that make them more or less suitable to a particular home.

Kids and dogs are as Americana as Norman Rockwell. But, unfortunately, they are also victimized by dog bites at an alarming rate. Some 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1 in 70 people are bitten by a dog seriously enough each year to require medical attention.

Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know dog bite injuries involving children can be particularly serious. Toddlers are most often victimized. Scarring and emotional issues often impact self-confidence and child development. Frequently, a family dog or close friend or family member’s pet is responsible. While these are always emotional cases, it’s important to understand that a homeowner’s insurance policy is typically liable for damages, usually with a limit of $100,000 to $300,000.

COVID-19 Increases Pet Adoptions in Southwest Florida

March 24, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a significant increase in the number of fostered and adopted pets in Southwest Florida.

The New York Times reports animal shelters across the country are seeing increased interest in pet fostering and adoption. From a practical standpoint, spending weeks working from home can be a perfect time to introduce a new pet into the home and get past the worst of the house and obedience training. However, our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral urge you to do your homework before bringing a new pet into your home. Particularly if you have small children, choosing a pet can have a significant impact on risk of injury.

While the pandemic has most of us familiar with the workings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta as it relates to combating the flu and other viruses, the agency conducts research on a broad range of health topics, including pet ownership.