Animal attacks are rare, but when they do occur, they can be deadly. From alligators to pit bulls, Florida has its fair share of dangerous animals. Some of these animals are smaller than your fingernail, while others are some of the largest and most dangerous animals in the ocean and on land. No matter where you live in Florida, it is important to know and respect the other animals that share our planet. It’s their earth too and humans are often the ones who encroach on their habitats. When this happens, deadly animal attacks can occur.
Florida is home to numerous land, air, and water creatures that can significantly injure people who threaten or occupy their territory. Some of the most dangerous animals in Florida include:
- Spiders – In Florida, the two most deadly spiders are the brown recluse and the southern black widow. Both of these spiders will bite if they feel threatened. The brown recluse spider has a venomous spider that is found most often in damp piles of leaves, wood, or clothing. Southern black widow spiders are also deadly, especially the females who have distinct red hourglass markings on their backs.
- Sharks – The waters off the coast of Florida are teeming with all sorts of creatures, including various species of shark. Bull sharks and great white sharks are often spotted along the coastline and can cause serious injury to surfers, swimmers, and boaters.
- American Alligators – The Everglades is not the only place in Florida that is full of American Alligators. These alligators can be found in Florida waterways, swampy marshlands, and even suburban backyards. One of the most recent fatal alligator attacks occurred outside a Disney World resort when an alligator grabbed a 2-year-old boy who was hanging out by the resort’s man-made lagoon.
- Wild Boars – These large and feral hogs can weigh more than 300 pounds and will attack even when not provoked. They’re aggressive and territorial and will eat just about anything they can find. They also carry numerous diseases that can infect and kill humans.
- Florida Brown Bears – These are the largest land animals in Florida and although rarely seen, an encounter with one can quickly turn deadly. While they are vegetarians, these bears will attack when they feel threatened, especially in suburban areas.
Who is Liable After an Animal Attack?
After an animal attack, it may seem like you have no legal recourse. Fortunately, this many not be entirely true. While an animal attack in the wild may cause you to turn to your own insurance company for compensation, an animal attack on someone else’s property may be different. In most cases, landowners are not liable for wild animal attacks. However, every case is different and property owners are responsible for keeping their properties safe. If the property owner has previous knowledge that dangerous wild animals exist on or near their property, they have a responsibility to warn guests and keep them safe.
For example, alligators are known to be native to Florida. As such, property owners are not legally responsible if an alligator should wander onto their property. However, if the landowner has a pond on their property and alligators are known to inhabit this pond, then the property owner may be held negligent if they failed to warn their guests and a guest is subsequently attacked.
Contact our West Palm Beach Animal Attack Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in an animal attack in West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Stuart, or anywhere in the Port St. Lucie or Palm Beach area, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries. Our experienced animal attack attorneys are here to help you during this traumatic time.
At Fetterman & Associates, we believe that everyone should be entitled to justice – not just those that can afford it. That’s why we offer all our services on a contingency basis. You don’t pay us unless we can collect money for you. Our North Palm Beach animal attack attorneys are here to help. Call us today at 561-845-2510 for a free initial consultation and review of your case.
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