Florida Ranked Second for Dog Bite Claims in 2025: What That Means for Victims

Why Florida’s Dog Bite Claim Numbers Matter to Injured Victims

Key Takeaways: Florida’s reported second-place national ranking for dog bite claims in 2025 suggests insurers handle these cases often and may have established strategies for reducing payouts. Victims may benefit from Florida’s strict liability statute, § 767.04, which generally makes owners liable whether or not the dog had ever bitten anyone or the owner knew it was dangerous, as long as the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property. That protection has limits. The "Bad Dog" sign exception does not apply to children under 6 or when the owner’s own negligent act or omission caused the injury. Comparative fault rules can also reduce a recovery if the victim’s own negligence, such as provoking the dog, contributed to the bite. Homeowners or renters insurance is often the main source of compensation, subject to policy limits and exclusions. Many claims face a two-year filing deadline under § 95.11, so preserving evidence early matters. Speaking with an experienced dog bite lawyer promptly may help victims protect their rights.

Florida’s place near the top of national dog bite claim rankings shows how often South Floridians get hurt by dogs and how much money is at stake. Florida has been reported as ranking second in the country for dog bite claims in 2025. That may reflect a large dog population, dense neighborhoods, and the year-round outdoor living common in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County. For victims, the ranking means insurers handle these claims frequently and often have established strategies for reducing payouts.

If you or your child has been bitten, you do not have to sort through this process by yourself. HL Law Group, P.A. helps dog bite victims throughout Fort Lauderdale and South Florida understand their rights and pursue the compensation the law may allow. Call (954) 713-1212 or schedule your free consultation today.

What Florida’s Ranking Says About Florida Dog Bite Claims 2025

A high claim ranking reflects both the number of incidents and the cost of resolving them. National insurance data tracks how many dog-related liability claims are filed each year, their average cost, and which states produce the most. Florida regularly lands near the top, alongside other populous states.

The cost of these claims has climbed steadily over the past decade. The Insurance Information Institute’s annual dog bite liability data reports that insurers pay out hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Average claim costs have risen considerably, driven partly by higher medical expenses and larger settlements and jury awards.

Why Insurers Pay Close Attention to Florida

Insurers that handle thousands of claims in Florida generally have refined methods for evaluating and contesting them. An adjuster may contact you soon after the attack, ask for a recorded statement, or suggest you provoked the dog. You generally are not required to give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurer. Knowing Florida law can help you avoid statements that could later reduce your recovery.

How Florida Dog Bite Strict Liability Protects Victims

Florida is a strict liability state for dog bites, which can be one of the most important advantages a victim has. Under Florida Statutes § 767.04, the owner of any dog that bites a person in a public place, or lawfully in a private place (including the owner’s own property), is liable for the resulting damages "regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness." You can read the full text in Florida’s dog bite statute.

This rule sets Florida apart from states that follow a "one-bite rule." In those states, a victim may need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. In Florida, the defense that "the dog never bit anyone before" generally does not defeat a claim under § 767.04. The statute covers bites. Injuries a dog causes without biting, such as knocking someone down, may fall under § 767.01 or general negligence principles. For more detail, see our guide to Florida dog bite strict liability in Fort Lauderdale.

Who Counts as "Lawfully" on Private Property

The statute defines when a person is lawfully on an owner’s property. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.04, a person is lawfully on private property when performing a duty imposed by Florida or federal law and postal regulations, or when present by the owner’s express or implied invitation. That may cover:

• Mail carriers and others carrying out legal duties
• Delivery workers and service technicians invited to the property
• Guests, neighbors, and friends visiting with permission

Trespassers usually cannot rely on § 767.04’s strict liability. Whether a person was lawfully present can depend heavily on the facts, so document the circumstances of your visit carefully.

Limits and Exceptions Every Victim Should Understand

Strict liability is powerful, but it has limits. Florida law contains specific exceptions that insurers often raise.

The "Bad Dog" Sign Exception

Florida Statutes § 767.04 says an owner is not liable, except as to a person under 6 years of age, if the owner displayed an easily readable sign with the words "Bad Dog" in a prominent place on the premises at the time of the injury. This exception does not apply when the victim is under 6, or when the injuries were proximately caused by the owner’s own negligent act or omission. A faded, hidden, or poorly placed sign may not meet the statute’s requirements.

Comparative Fault and Provocation

Under § 767.04, any negligence by the person bitten that proximately caused the bite reduces the owner’s liability by that person’s percentage of fault. For example, if a jury found a victim 20 percent responsible for provoking a dog, the recovery could be reduced by 20 percent. Separately, Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6), adopted in 2023, generally bars a party found more than 50 percent at fault from recovering in the negligence actions that section covers. Whether that bar applies to a strict liability claim under § 767.04 is not fully settled.

Evidence showing that the victim did not provoke the dog can make a significant difference. Witness statements, doorbell or security camera video, and prompt photographs of the scene may help rebut claims that the victim teased, struck, or startled the animal.

💡 Pro Tip: Ask neighbors right away whether their doorbell or security cameras recorded the attack. Many systems overwrite footage within days.

Criminal Penalties and How They May Affect Your Civil Claim

Florida law can also impose criminal penalties when a dog causes severe injury or death. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.136, an owner may be found guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor if all of these are true:

• The dog had not been declared dangerous.
• It attacked and caused severe injury to, or the death of, a person.
• The owner knew of the dog’s dangerous propensities yet showed reckless disregard for them.

Harsher penalties may apply under § 767.13 when a dog already declared dangerous attacks.

A criminal matter is separate from your civil claim for compensation. Even so, records produced during those processes, such as prior complaints or investigation reports, may help establish the owner’s knowledge and negligence in a civil case.

Where Compensation Comes From and What It May Cover

In many cases, homeowners or renters insurance is the main source of compensation for a dog bite victim. These policies often cover dog bite liability, subject to limits and exclusions. Some exclude certain breeds, dogs with a bite history, or all dog-related claims, so identifying the owner’s coverage early is important.

Documenting both physical and psychological harm may strengthen a claim considerably. Keep every medical record, photograph your injuries as they heal, and write down how the attack has affected your daily life and sleep.

Identifying the Dog Owner

A claim generally starts with identifying who owns the dog. Animal control records, licensing information, witnesses, and property records can help confirm ownership.

Deadlines That Can Affect Your Rights

Florida’s civil statute of limitations limits how long you have to file a lawsuit. For negligence claims that accrue after March 24, 2023, Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a) generally provides two years. Older claims may be subject to the prior four-year period. The correct deadline can depend on the facts, the legal theory, and the date of injury, so waiting can be risky.

In limited circumstances, Fla. Stat. § 95.051 may toll, or pause, the limitations period. Courts generally interpret these exceptions narrowly. Claims involving government entities may also require presuit notice under § 768.28, with its own deadlines.

💡 Pro Tip: Report the bite to Broward County Animal Care and get a copy of the report. An official record can help confirm the date, the dog’s identity, and the owner’s information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to prove the dog had bitten someone before?

Generally, no. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.04, owners are liable regardless of the dog’s prior viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of it, when the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property, subject to the statute’s exceptions.

2. Does a "Bad Dog" sign mean I cannot recover?

Not necessarily. The sign exception does not apply to victims under age 6 or when the owner’s negligent act or omission caused the injury. The sign must also be prominently displayed and easy to read.

3. What if the insurer says I provoked the dog?

Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but the owner generally bears the burden of proving your comparative negligence. Video and witness accounts may help show that you did nothing to provoke the attack.

4. Will homeowners insurance pay for my injuries?

In many cases, it may, up to the policy limits. Exclusions and limits vary, so reviewing the specific coverage is important.

5. How long do I have to file a claim?

Many Florida negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, have a two-year deadline under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Narrow tolling exceptions may apply. Speaking with a lawyer promptly can help protect your rights.

Protecting Your Recovery After a South Florida Dog Attack

Florida’s high ranking for dog bite claims shows that these injuries are common, costly, and often contested. Strict liability may give victims an important advantage, but exceptions for signage and comparative fault, policy limits, and filing deadlines can all affect the result. Acting early to preserve evidence may make a meaningful difference.

If a dog attack has left you or your child with injuries, a trusted Fort Lauderdale dog bite lawyer can help you understand your options. Reach out to our Fort Lauderdale legal team, call (954) 713-1212, or request a free case evaluation to discuss your situation with HL Law Group, P.A.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is unique, and results may vary. Consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.