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NFL Player Tackled for $150,000 by Palm Beach County Jury in Connection with Dog Bite to Victim in Boca Raton

A current NFL football player, and former UF Gator college football star, was recently hit by a Palm Beach jury for $150,000 for injuries related to a dog bite suffered by a visitor to his home in Boca Raton in 2014, according to a report from the Palm Beach Post. The NFL player, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley, played college football for the University of Florida from 2010-2013. The incident occurred in 2014, when Easley was still enrolled at UF. At the time Easley was renting a townhouse in Boca Raton but was out of town interviewing with teams ahead of the upcoming NFL draft. (Easley was drafted by Boston’s New England Patriots in the first round.) Chucky, Easley’s 2½-year-old pit bull, remained at home in Boca Raton while Easley was on the road. One of Easley’s neighbors agreed to feed and walk Chucky while Easley was out of town. One day the neighbor and two friends came to Easley’s house to feed and walk the dog. While the plaintiff in the lawsuit, Wiley Brown, remained in the car on his cell phone, the other two (both female) went inside Easley’s townhouse to let Chucky out. The dog became aggressive when let out of his kennel, forcing one of the two females to hide in a bathroom while the other ran out the front door. Brown ran in from the car and was able to leash the dog before Chucky turned on him, biting him on the ankles and arm multiple times. Brown ran out the front door chased by the dog, who managed to get his head stuck in the garage door attempting to continue biting Brown before finally giving up his pursuit. Easley’s neighbor immediately rushed Brown to the hospital, where he was treated for lacerations to his arm and ankle.

Although Easley claimed he had no idea who Brown was and that he had never invited Clark into his home, the jury nevertheless awarded Brown nearly $150,000 for the dog bites he received from Chucky. The award included $59,000 for Brown’s injuries and $90,000 for his pain and suffering. Chucky, who had a history of biting other individuals in the past including animal control staff members, was eventually euthanized.

As demonstrated by this case in Florida, dog bites often can result in serious personal injuries. In many cases, the dog owner may be liable for your injuries suffered due to a dog bite.

Florida Law Regarding Dog Bites

The scenario of a dog biting someone is so common that the Florida Legislature, like most states, has specifically enacted legislation relating to dog bites. This legislation, which appears in Section 767.04, Florida Statutes, sets forth a dog owner’s liability in the event his or her dog bites someone in Florida. Under that statute, the owner of a dog that bites someone who is in a public place, or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by dog bite victim.

Damages Awardable in a Case Relating to a Florida Dog Bite

If you have been injured by a dog bite in Florida, you are entitled to recover damages for any losses and injuries you suffered. This includes any medical bills from the dog bite, any lost income you suffered as a result of the dog bite and any other damages you suffered. This could include damage to any personal property the dog bite may have caused, such as if the dog destroyed your clothes or something you were carrying. (Bear in mind a victim’s ability to recover damages are subject to the defenses available to the dog owner, such as if the victim deliberately provoked the dog.)

Contact Schwed Adams if You Have Been the Victim of a Dog Bite Incident or Other Animal Attack in Florida

If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite in Florida, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Schwed, Adams, Sobel and McGinley today. Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined legal experience, including extensive experience representing those who have been injured by dog bites. We have extensive experience representing the victims of dog bite incidents or other animal attacks. We fight hard to help you recover every measure of damages you are entitled to recover under Florida law. We look forward to the opportunity to secure the best possible verdict or settlement for you. Contact us today at 877-694-6079 or contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation regarding your situation today.