FL · Strict liability
Florida dog bite law
Florida is a strict-liability state with a trap: a “Bad Dog” sign on the owner’s property can change the bite statute for adults. Comparative negligence also reduces recovery.
- Liability
- Strict liability
- Statute
- Fla. Stat. §§ 767.01, 767.04
- Deadline to file
- 2 years · Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)
- Bites only?
- Injuries more broadly
Florida cut the personal-injury deadline from 4 years to 2 for injuries on or after March 24, 2023.
Section 767.01 covers damage to people and animals; § 767.04 is the bite statute. Both still matter. The filing deadline is now two years for recent injuries — older articles that say four years are stale.
Tourism and HOA communities produce a lot of “not my dog / not my property” fights. Identify the owner, the landlord, and the association early.
Exceptions insurers will mention
Trespassing; comparative negligence. A prominent “Bad Dog” sign can limit bite liability on the owner’s property for victims over age 6.
The sign, and children
Florida’s sign defense does not apply the same way to young children. If a child was bitten on the owner’s property, do not assume a posted warning ends the claim.
Compare the national split in strict liability vs one-bite, and confirm your clock on statute of limitations.
Similar liability rules
This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a lawyer licensed in your state. Statutes change. Confirm the current rule and your deadline with counsel before you rely on a date.