Florida Billionaires Sued By Former Housekeeper After Dog Attack Leaves Her Disfigured
A recent lawsuit filed by a former housekeeper is targeting Nelson and Claudia Peltz, whose dog allegedly attacked the housekeeper, causing serious personal injuries. The housekeeper is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, the housekeeper alleged that the “untrained” family dog Houdini attacked her multiple times in the family’s home. In one incident, according to the lawsuit documents, the housekeeper alleged that Houdini “ripped” her clothing in an attempt to attack her. In another incident, she alleged that she “fell to the ground attempting to escape” the dog after he lunged at and attempted to attack the plaintiff.
The housekeeper also described another encounter in her documents. She alleges that she attempted to defend herself from the dog with a vacuum cleaner. The housekeeper described the dog as having a “vicious nature” and “vicious disposition.” She also claimed that the dog had a “propensity to attack/or attempt attacks, which was known or should have been known by the defendants. She also added that the alleged attacks took place “without any provocation, suddenly and without warning.
In the lawsuit documents, the housekeeper alleges she was seriously injured as a result of the owners’ negligence. She is suing for “physical and mental pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement,” and “mental anguish,” as well as losing earnings and a “capacity for the enjoyment of life. Further, she incurred the cost of hospital bills and medical attention due to the dog attack.
What do the defendants say?
The defendants categorically deny that the plaintiff had any contact with the dog and that it’s “undisputed” that the plaintiff “did not suffer from a dog bite.” They, therefore, state that she is not entitled to receive compensation for her injury. The defendants further claim that the housekeeper “interacted” with, “routinely encountered,” and “cleaned up after” Houdini as a housekeeper on the estate. They claim she should have adjusted to the dog’s behavior.
Understanding Florida’s dog bite laws
Under Florida’s dog bite rules, owners are strictly liable for any injury caused by their dog. It doesn’t matter if the owner was negligent or not. In other words, the plaintiff does not need to prove negligence in order to win their case. They only have to establish that the dog caused their injury. In the case mentioned above, the plaintiff is alleging that the dog’s owners knew that the dog had a propensity toward viciousness and still exposed her to a threat. While you don’t have to prove negligence in a dog bite lawsuit, it often helps strengthen the case to allege negligence. The defendants, however, claim that the plaintiff was not bitten by the dog at all.
Talk to a Jacksonville, FL, Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Gillette Law represents the interests of Jacksonville residents who have been injured by a dangerous dog. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.
Source:
pagesix.com/2025/05/23/celebrity-news/nicola-peltzs-parents-sued-by-ex-housekeeper-over-alleged-pit-bull-attack/
