Florida Injury Law Explained

Knocked Down or Chased by a Dog? You May Have a Case in Florida — Even Without a Bite

By Damian Ramos, Attorney at Shiner Law Group • August 2026

Injured by a Dog That Never Bit You? Florida Law Is on Your Side - Shiner Law Group

Key Takeaways

Florida Statute § 767.01 makes dog owners liable for any damage their dog causes to a person — a bite is not required.
The Florida Supreme Court has held that this statute virtually makes the owner “the insurer of the dog’s conduct.”
Knockdowns, chase-and-fall injuries, and crashes caused by a dog running into the road can all support a claim.
You generally do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Florida’s statute of limitations generally gives injury victims only two years to file suit — acting early protects your claim.

Does a Dog Have to Bite Me to Have a Case in Florida?

No — and this surprises almost everyone. Most people assume that “dog law” means “dog bite law.” But Florida actually has two separate statutes, and one of them covers injuries caused by a dog’s behavior even when the dog’s teeth never touch you.

Under Florida Statute § 767.01, a dog owner is liable for any damage the dog does to a person. Not just bites — any damage. If a large dog jumps on you and knocks you to the pavement, if a dog chases you and you fall, or if a dog darts into the road and causes your car or bicycle crash, the owner can be held responsible for your injuries.

What the Florida Supreme Court says. In Jones v. Utica Mutual Insurance Co., the Court applied strict liability to a dog owner for injuries caused by a dog that never bit the victim, explaining that section 767.01 “has consistently been construed to virtually make an owner the insurer of the dog’s conduct.” In plain English: if the dog caused it, the owner is generally on the hook.

Florida’s Two Dog Injury Laws, Side by Side

	§ 767.01 — Any Damage	§ 767.04 — Dog Bites
What it covers	Any damage a dog does to a person — knockdowns, chase injuries, crashes	Injuries from a dog bite
Do you need a bite?	No	Yes
Must the owner have known the dog was dangerous?	No — strict liability	No — liability applies “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog”
What can reduce recovery?	The injured person’s own share of fault, under Florida’s comparative fault principles	The bitten person’s own negligence reduces recovery by their percentage of fault

Common Dog Injuries That Don’t Involve a Bite

Knockdown injuries. A jumping or charging dog knocks a person off their feet. For older adults especially, these falls can mean hip fractures, wrist fractures, and head injuries.
Chase-and-fall injuries. A dog chases a walker, runner, or child, who falls or runs into an obstacle trying to get away.
Bicycle and scooter crashes. A dog runs at or alongside a cyclist, causing a loss of control.
Car and motorcycle crashes. An unrestrained dog runs into the street and a driver crashes swerving to avoid it — or hits the dog and loses control.
Leash and entanglement injuries. A dog wraps its leash around a person’s legs or pulls them down.

The “Bad Dog” sign defense is narrower than owners think. Florida law gives owners a defense if they prominently displayed an easily readable sign including the words “Bad Dog” — but it does not protect the owner from claims by children under six, or where the owner’s own negligent act or omission caused the injury.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

A successful dog injury claim can recover the same categories of damages as other Florida injury cases: medical bills (past and future), lost wages and lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Because many dog owners are covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, compensation often comes from an insurance policy rather than the owner’s pocket — which matters when the owner is a neighbor, friend, or family member.

What Should I Do After a Dog-Related Injury?

Get medical care right away. Falls and knockdowns can cause fractures and head injuries that worsen without treatment — and prompt care documents the connection between the incident and your injuries.
Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and photograph the dog, the scene, and your injuries.
Get witness information. Bystander accounts of the dog’s behavior are powerful evidence.
Report the incident to local animal control — the report creates an official record.
Talk to an attorney before giving any recorded statement to an insurance company. Florida’s statute of limitations generally allows only two years to file suit, and evidence fades quickly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue if a dog knocked me down but didn't bite me?

Yes. Florida Statute § 767.01 makes a dog owner liable for any damage the dog does to a person, and the Florida Supreme Court has applied strict liability to injuries caused by dogs that never bit the victim. A bite is not required.

Who is liable if a dog caused my car accident?

If an unrestrained dog ran into the road and caused your crash, the dog’s owner may be strictly liable for your injuries under § 767.01. These cases turn on identifying the dog and owner quickly, which is why early investigation matters.

Do I have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous?

Generally no. Both of Florida’s dog injury statutes impose liability without requiring proof that the owner knew of the dog’s vicious tendencies. That is what makes them strict liability laws.

What if I was partly at fault?

Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault under Florida’s comparative fault principles, and under current Florida law a person found more than 50% at fault for their own injury generally cannot recover in a negligence action. An attorney can evaluate how these rules apply to your specific facts.

How long do I have to file a dog injury claim in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations generally gives injury victims two years to file a lawsuit. Because deadlines can vary with the facts and legal theory, speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. The law discussed here may change, and its application depends on the specific facts of your situation. Attorneys at Shiner Law Group are Members of The Florida Bar. Shiner Law Group — Accident & Injury Lawyers. This is attorney advertising.