Florida Big Cat Attacks: Who Is Liable?

Liability for big cat attacks depends on several factors. In some cases, it is very easy to determine, while in others it is far more difficult. In some cases, there are no liable parties at all. The main factors in determining liability have to do with big cat ownership, property ownership, and negligence.

When the Big Cat Belongs to Someone

When the big cat in question belongs to an individual or an organization, liability is easy to determine as the owner is responsible. While an owner is not always liable for a dog attack depending on the circumstances, owners are always liable for big cat attacks. That is because the danger of a big cat attack is well known.

While an owner of a dog might not think their dog would be aggressive, the odds of an attack with a big cat are always well known.

If the big cat belongs to an organization (like a zoo or wildlife refuge), rather than an individual, the liability falls on the organization for a wild animal attack. However, there are exceptions to this liability. Workers and volunteers have to sign waivers when working with these animals that protect the organization from lawsuits.

Organizations are not completely freed from liability by merely having staff sign a waiver. They are still required to provide reasonable measures to ensure safety. If someone who has signed a waiver is hurt by a big cat, they can still sue if proper safety precautions were not taken.

An organization is also liable for an attack of any guest to the facility. If a guest is attacked by a big cat that has escaped its habitat, the organization can, and will, face legal charges. They will most likely face both a civil suit from the attacked individual and a criminal lawsuit for reckless endangerment.

However, there is an exception if the visitor entered an area of the facility clearly marked as being closed to the public. In this case, they typically forfeit their legal rights to bring charges.

A Wild Cat on Private Property

When the big cat in question is a wild cat, liability becomes a bit more muddled. In most cases, when attacked by a big cat on someone else’s private property, the owner of the property is not liable. Exceptions would be when the owner of the property has an expected higher knowledge of the possible presence of a big cat than the person attacked.

An example of this would be a case where a big cat has repeatedly been spotted on the premises. If the property owner failed to inform the injured party of the possible threat of the big cat, that could be ruled as negligence. In this situation, they could face a legal challenge.

A Wild Cat on Public Property

The law is largely the same considering an attack from a wild cat on public property as it is on private property. The government is typically not liable when you are attacked by a big cat on either city, state, or federal property.

However, like with private property, if there was prior knowledge of the risk that was not properly communicated to the public and proper signage was not displayed in the area, the government could be vulnerable to a lawsuit from the injured party.

When Injured by a Big Cat

When you are injured by a big cat attack, the injury is unlikely to be minor. Big cats can do massive damage with a single swipe of one paw. Medical bills are likely to be incredibly costly, and the financial burden they may bring down upon you will be difficult to get out from under without financial compensation.

If you are attacked by a big cat in Florida, seek assistance from a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer. A qualified attorney will be able to help you determine if there were any liable parties and advise you on your options moving forward.

Should you decide to pursue a lawsuit against a liable party, your lawyer will take charge of your case while you focus on your health. It is important to choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable representing you. That way, you can have peace of mind that your financial and legal situation is being taken care of while you are on the mend.