Dog Bite Victim Dies, Family Files Wrongful Death Claim

Even though dogs are seen as friendly creatures, that’s not always the case. Dog attacks happen all the time and can range in severity from scratches to major wounds to scarring to death.

A man who was attacked by a pit bull mix on February 4 has died. The Panama City Beach man was attacked by a dog at his home on Laird Street. The man had broken up a fight between his dog and a neighbor’s pit bull when the pit bull took the man to the ground while biting his neck and violently shaking his head. The man suffered serious injuries to his upper torso, neck and chest.

The neighbor, Brendan Murphy, was initially charged with resisting arrest from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office without violence. He was also charged with obstruction for blocking animal control officers from entering his home.

The man spent five days in Ascension Sacred Heart Bay’s intensive care unit before he died from his injuries on February 9. His mother has retained a lawyer and has filed a wrongful death claim.

The lawyer says seeking monetary damages is the only form of justice for a dog bite case like this. A wrongful death claim in Florida involves various aspects such as putting a price on the emotional damage family members experience. There are also medical expenses to consider.

The lawyer in this case has handled about a dozen dog bite cases in his career, but this one will be the first time that it has resulted in someone’s death. Time is of the essence in these cases; the lawyer in this case was retained a few days after the attack.

The lawyer is in the early stages of building his case. An investigation into the dog, a mixed-breed pit bull, is still underway. It is still unknown if the dog has been involved in any prior attacks. The lawyer is requesting that information from the animal control authorities.

In any case, Florida law is on their side. The statute is clear that the victim’s family has the legal right to bring a claim for civil damages for this attack. Florida operates under strict liability, so there are no free bites and there does not have to be any evidence of prior attacks.

While there is liability, loss of life, and damages in this case, the fact remains that some homeowner insurance policies in Florida stopped covering for dog bites. This makes it harder to collect compensation for damages. However, the lawyer still has confidence that he will be able to get justice for the victim’s family.

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Dogs are not always man’s best friend. In an instant, a person can be alive and well. A dog attack can cause them to be hospitalized and even threaten their life.

Florida has laws regarding dog bites and liability. Florida is much stricter than other states and operates on strict liability. This enables victims to get much-needed compensation. Get the help you need from a Bradenton dog bite lawyer from Cahall Law Firm. Schedule a consultation today by calling (941) 281-2019 or filling out the online form.

Source:

mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/bay-county/victim-of-dog-attack-has-died-his-family-now-looking-to-build-a-civil-case/