Child Dog-Bite Injuries in Miami: Special Legal Considerations

By the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato · Published July 7, 2026

Quick answer: Children are bitten more severely and more often on the face and head, and Florida’s strict-liability law applies with special force to young children. A minor’s claim is brought by a parent or guardian, and a settlement often requires court approval.

A dog bite is frightening for anyone, but for a child, it can be life-altering. Children are bitten more often and more severely than adults, frequently on the face and head, and the physical and emotional effects can last for years. Florida law offers strong protection to child victims, and their cases carry special rules that parents in Miami should understand. A Miami dog bite lawyer handles both the injury and the added considerations of a minor’s claim.

Why are children especially vulnerable to dog bites

Children face a heightened risk for reasons of both biology and behavior. They are smaller and closer to a dog’s level, so bites more often reach the face, head, and neck, where the damage can be severe. Young children may not recognize the warning signs of an agitated dog or know how to respond, and their instinct to approach animals can put them in harm’s way. When a bite does occur, a child’s developing body and the visibility of facial injuries make the consequences, medical and emotional, especially serious.

Florida’s strict-liability rule and young children

Florida’s dog-bite law is generally favorable to victims, and it is especially protective of the youngest.

Strict liability without proving prior aggression

Under the dog-bite statute, a dog owner is strictly liable when the dog bites a person in a public place or lawfully in a private place, even if the dog has never shown aggression before. A family does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This strict standard means a child bitten while lawfully somewhere, such as visiting a home or walking in the neighborhood, has a strong path to recovery from the owner.

The special protection for children under six

The statute includes a narrow exception that can limit an owner’s liability where a prominently displayed ‘Bad Dog’ sign is posted, but that exception does not apply to a child under the age of six. In other words, the law refuses to let a warning sign shift blame onto a very young child who cannot read or appreciate it. This carve-out reflects a recognition that young children cannot be expected to protect themselves, and it strengthens their claims.

How a minor’s injury claim works

A child cannot bring a lawsuit on their own, so a minor’s case follows procedures designed to protect the child’s interests.

A parent or guardian brings the claim

A parent or legal guardian pursues the claim on the child’s behalf, making the decisions a minor cannot make for themselves. The guardian works with counsel to investigate the bite, document the injuries, and pursue compensation, always with the child’s best interests as the guide. This representative role is a standard feature of any claim involving an injured minor.

Court approval of a child’s settlement

To protect the child, a settlement of a minor’s claim above a certain amount generally requires court approval, and the funds are often placed in a protected account or structured arrangement for the child’s benefit. This oversight ensures the settlement is fair and that the money is preserved for the child rather than spent prematurely. It is one of the key procedural differences between a child’s case and an adult’s.

Injuries and damages in a child dog-bite case

Because children are so often bitten on the face, scarring and disfigurement are common and can require reconstructive surgery, sometimes in stages as the child grows. Beyond the physical wounds, children frequently develop lasting fear of dogs, anxiety, and other emotional effects. A claim should account for the full course of medical and psychological care, the permanent impact of any scarring, and the pain and emotional harm the child endured. Because a child’s future needs can evolve, valuing the claim carefully rather than settling quickly is especially important. A closer look at Florida’s strict-liability dog-bite law explains the framework.

Preserving a claim on a child’s behalf

Acting on a child’s behalf includes preserving the evidence that supports the claim. Photographs of the injuries over time, medical and, where appropriate, counseling records, the dog’s history and any prior incidents, and the identities of witnesses all matter. Reporting the bite to animal control creates an official record. While deadlines for a minor’s claim can differ from an adult’s, waiting can still cost valuable evidence, so early action serves the child’s interests. Families can reach our Miami injury team for a compassionate review.

Supporting a child’s recovery

A child dog-bite case is about more than compensation; it is about making sure the child has what they need to heal, physically and emotionally, over the years ahead.

Medical and emotional care over time

A child’s treatment may unfold in stages, especially where scarring calls for reconstructive procedures revisited as the child grows. Emotional care matters just as much, since many children develop a lasting fear of dogs or anxiety after a bite. A claim built around the full course of medical and psychological care, rather than a quick resolution, ensures the resources are there as the child’s needs become clear.

Protecting the settlement funds

When a minor’s case is resolved, the funds are typically safeguarded under court oversight and often placed in a protected account or structured arrangement for the child’s benefit. This protects the money from being spent prematurely and ensures it is available for the child’s future needs, including any care that arises as they grow. It is a reassuring feature of how the law handles a child’s recovery.

Taken together, these protections reflect how seriously the law treats a child’s claim. From the strict-liability rule that favors young victims, to the guardian who acts on the child’s behalf, to the court oversight of any settlement, the framework is built to secure and preserve what an injured child will need. Understanding that framework helps a family pursue the claim with confidence that the child’s interests, both now and in the years ahead, are at the center of every step.

Was a child bitten by a dog in Miami?

A child’s dog-bite injuries deserve full value and careful handling through the special rules that protect minors. The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato pursue these claims with compassion and care. Call 954-522-5800 for a free consultation.

Sources: Fla. Stat. §767.04

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. Why are children more at risk from dog bites?

Children are smaller and closer to a dog’s level, so bites more often reach the face, head, and neck. They may not recognize a dog’s warning signs or know how to respond, and their instinct to approach animals can put them in danger. The resulting injuries tend to be severe.

Q2. Does Florida’s strict-liability law apply to child dog bites?

Yes. An owner is strictly liable when a dog bites a person lawfully in a public or private place, even with no history of aggression, and a family need not prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This applies fully to children.

Q3. Does the ‘Bad Dog’ sign exception apply to young children?

No. Florida’s statute provides that the narrow ‘Bad Dog’ sign exception does not apply to a child under the age of six. The law will not let a warning sign shift blame onto a young child who cannot read or appreciate it.

Q4. Who brings a dog-bite claim for an injured child?

A parent or legal guardian pursues the claim on the child’s behalf and makes the decisions the minor cannot. The guardian works with counsel to investigate, document the injuries, and pursue compensation in the child’s best interests.

Q5. Does a child’s dog-bite settlement need court approval?

Generally, a settlement of a minor’s claim above a certain amount requires court approval, and the funds are often placed in a protected account or structured arrangement. This oversight ensures the settlement is fair and preserved for the child.

Q6. What damages can a child recover?

A claim can include medical and psychological care, the cost of reconstructive surgery for scarring, the permanent impact of disfigurement, and the pain and emotional harm the child endured. Because a child’s needs can evolve, careful valuation is especially important.

Q7. Should we act quickly even though the child has time to file?

Yes. While deadlines for a minor’s claim can differ from an adult’s, waiting can still cost valuable evidence such as the dog’s history, photographs, and witness memories. Early action preserves proof and serves the child’s interests.

Q8. Does my child have more time to file than an adult would?

Deadlines for a minor’s claim can differ from an adult’s, but that does not mean waiting is wise. Evidence such as the dog’s history, photographs, and witness memories can be lost over time, so acting early still protects the child’s interests.

About the Firm

Published by the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato

For nearly three decades, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato have represented injured Floridians and their families across South and Southwest Florida, exclusively on the plaintiff’s side. The firm is led by managing partner Richard P. Pravato, a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney (Florida Bar No. 86150). To reach the lawyer who handles cases in your area, visit our attorneys page, explore our practice areas, or learn more about our firm.

Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. Laws change and every case is different, so you should not act or rely on any information here without consulting a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation. For advice regarding your circumstances, please contact our office for a free consultation.