Animal Attacks

In the U.S., 4.5 million people suffer dog bites yearly, and 885,000 of those victims need medical treatment for their wounds. Figures are most readily available for dog bite injuries, but many other kinds of animals can bite or attack humans, killing people or leaving them seriously hurt. Domestic animals – such as cats, ferrets, or birds – and wild animals or those in zoos, theme parks or other attractions may attack children and adults. There can be significant variation in the law depending on the specific circumstances of an animal attack. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in an animal attack, you need legal advice you can rely on.

Fort Myers, Naples, and Cape Coral personal injury attorneys at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, have a full team of experts to call on when complex cases pose challenges. Our firm has access to legal, medical, insurance, and investigative experts. If we need additional researchers, veterinarians or other animal experts to participate in the investigation or litigation of an animal attack case, our firm has the resources to make that happen. Fort Myers and Naples animal attack lawyers at our firm have the experience in dog bite and other personal injury cases that enables us to effectively represent victims of all types of animal attacks.

In Florida, one of the most high-profile animal attacks in the state occurred at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010 when a trainer lost her life after being attacked by a killer whale. The previous year, a 200-pound chimpanzee attacked a woman in Connecticut and left her with severe and disfiguring injuries. In another Florida incident that year, a 12-foot pet python killed a toddler. Our Fort Myers personal injury and wrongful death attorneys know that such attacks don’t happen with great frequency. But when they do, families are left devastated.

In cases where the victims of animal attacks are left with serious scars or lasting physical damage, the Naples and Cape Coral animal attack attorneys at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner are prepared to take action to see that your child’s rights are protected. We know that some people are keepers of such wild animals as lions, bears, tigers and snakes. Special circumstances may apply if the owners of such creatures don’t have the proper permits or fail to keep the animals safely contained. Those who feed alligators may be subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability in the event of an attack. Our firm can analyze the attack that harmed you or your child and explain your options.

As long as humans and animals live alongside each other, the potential for animal attacks will exist. Injuries caused by large and powerful creatures can be serious, even fatal. When you’ve been hurt by an animal, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the owner. The Fort Myers and Naples personal injury attorneys at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, are here to help Southwest Florida residents who need accomplished attorneys able to take on complicated cases and produce positive results.

Our firm offers you a free evaluation of your case. If you aren’t able to come to our offices in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, or Sebring, we’ll meet with you at your home or in your hospital room. If an animal owner’s negligence or carelessness led to your injury or took a loved one’s life, we’re here to help. You pay us no fees unless we win for you.

800-646-1210 – Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner – Focused on Justice

Preventing Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers common-sense advice for preventing dog bites. Tips may apply to other animals as well:

• Don’t approach a dog that is unfamiliar.
• Don’t run away from a dog. Remain motionless.
• Don’t scream.
• If the animal knocks you down, roll into a ball. Remain motionless.
• Don’t disturb an animal that is eating or sleeping.
• Don’t interfere with an animal that is caring for its offspring.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention