Boca Raton Dog Bite Lawyer

By Lorne Kaiser, Esq. (Fla. Bar No. 0568491) & Steven Romanello, Esq. (Fla. Bar No. 557277), Kaiser Romanello, P.A. | Serving Boca Raton and Palm Beach County

Florida Is a Strict Liability State for Dog Bites

In many states, a person bitten by a dog has to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Florida does not work that way. The statute makes the owner liable "regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners' knowledge of such viciousness" (§767.04). There is no "one free bite."

The protection covers you if you were:

• In a public place, such as a sidewalk, park, beach access or parking lot.
• On private property by invitation, spoken or implied, including a guest at the owner's own home.
• On the property doing a job the law requires, which the statute spells out for duties under Florida law or federal postal regulations, such as a mail carrier.

A separate statute makes owners liable for any damage their dog does to a person, which covers knock-downs and other injuries that are not bites (§767.01).

The "Bad Dog" Sign Rule, and When It Does Not Apply

Florida gives owners one defense that most states don't: a sign. If the owner displayed a sign "in a prominent place" that is "easily readable" and includes the words "Bad Dog," the owner is generally not liable for a bite on their premises. The statute carves out two situations where the sign does not protect the owner:

That is why we photograph the property, including any sign, where it was posted and how visible it was, as early as possible.

How Your Own Actions Affect the Claim

Strict liability does not mean the owner pays for everything automatically. The statute says any negligence by the person bitten that helped cause the bite reduces the owner's liability by that percentage (§767.04). Insurers often argue the victim provoked the dog, reached over a fence, or ignored a warning. Witness statements, video and the animal control report are how those arguments get answered.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite in Florida

Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, which usually includes personal liability coverage. Florida sees more of these claims than almost any state. In 2025, Florida had 2,347 dog-related injury claims, the second most in the country, with an average cost of $62,375 per claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. That figure is an industry average of insurance claims, not a prediction for any case.

Coverage questions come up early: some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a prior bite, some owners rent rather than own, and liability limits vary. Identifying the right policy in the first week matters.

Reporting a Dog Bite in Boca Raton

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control serves all 38 municipalities in the county, including Boca Raton, and unincorporated areas such as west Boca. Its Animal Bite Coordinator reviews about 2,500 animal bites a year, checks the dog's rabies vaccination status and arranges a rabies quarantine. Severe bites are reviewed for a "dangerous dog" classification under state law (§767.12).

• To report a bite: Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, (561) 233-1200.
• For an attack in progress or a serious injury: call 911. Boca Raton Police respond inside city limits, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office responds in unincorporated areas.

The bite report, the quarantine record and any earlier complaints about the same dog become key evidence. A dog already classified as dangerous, or with prior reported bites, changes how an insurer views the claim.

Your First Week on a Boca Raton Dog Bite Case

1. The same day. A team member reaches out right away, often the same day you call, to make sure you are getting medical care, including wound care and a rabies risk assessment. Your case is handled by Lorne Kaiser or Steven Romanello directly.
2. The bite report. We make sure the bite is reported to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and request the bite report and quarantine record.
3. The dog's history. We look for the dog's rabies vaccination record, prior bite reports and any dangerous dog classification.
4. The scene. We photograph the property, the fence or gate, and any warning sign, and look for doorbell, home security and business camera video.
5. Your injuries. We document your wounds as they heal, because scarring and nerve damage often show over weeks, and keep torn clothing as evidence.
6. The insurer. We identify the owner's homeowner's or renter's policy, put the insurer on notice, and handle every call with them.

How Long You Have to File

Florida sets two years for claims "founded on negligence" (§95.11(5)(a)) and four years for claims "founded on a statutory liability" (§95.11(3)(e)). A §767.04 claim is statutory, but because a dog bite case often includes negligence claims too, and courts have not clearly settled which period controls, treat two years from the bite as your deadline. For bites before March 24, 2023, the older four-year negligence period applies. Talk to a lawyer well before then.

Where a Boca Raton Dog Bite Case Is Filed

Most dog bite claims settle with the insurer. When a lawsuit is needed, a Boca Raton case is filed in Palm Beach County's 15th Judicial Circuit at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach (15th Circuit).

Boca Raton Dog Bite Questions

Talk to a Boca Raton Dog Bite Lawyer

Call (844) 877-8679 or start your free case review online. No fee unless we win. For other injuries in the city, see our Boca Raton personal injury page. We also handle dog bite cases in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Get Your Free Case Review →

This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Kaiser Romanello, P.A., 11555 Heron Bay Blvd., Suite 200, Parkland, FL 33076. (844) 877-8679.