Dogs are known for being one of the most beloved family pets as they are loyal and provide companionship. However, when dogs are not trained properly, or its owner does not properly handle the dog, it can cause them to become violent and unpredictable, which can lead to dog attacks.

A dog bite can have serious long-term effects such as a loss of earnings, increased anxiety around animals, and even losing the ability to look after others.

If you have been injured through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to claim compensation for a dog bite attack. Below is a summary of dog bite claims and the information required to make them.

 

When dog bite injuries occur

 

Improper Ownership – When an owner of a dog is neglectful towards the dog, it can result in the dog becoming violent and attacking. An example of this is when the owner is aware that the dog should be on a leash in public places but fails to do so. Another reason for this is that some owners, unfortunately, train dogs to become more aggressive.

 

Accident at work – You could also be bitten by a dog whilst at work, for example, if you are a dog walker, vet or groomer as you come into contact with dogs every day. You may also be at risk if your job involves visiting the dog owners houses, such as a delivery driver or a postman.

 

Private land – Dogs can often get into private land and get into your garden or even your house and attack you, causing severe injuries. This can include stray dogs as well as domesticated dogs.

 

The owner of the dog is usually the one held as the responsible party and who the claim will be made against as they have a duty of care towards the dog and must ensure that they do everything they can to make sure that the dog does not pose a threat to anyone.

However, dog owners often do not have pet insurance; therefore, initial enquiries must be made in order to establish whether the owner has insurance before a claim is made.

 

Common injuries associated with dog bite claims

 

Depending on the breed of dog, dog bites can cause severe and long-lasting injuries; these include:

 

· Skin damage

· Damage to the nerves

· Permanent scarring

· Damage to the muscles

· Broken bones in some serious cases

· Mild to strong bruising

· Serious dog bites can cause infection, which if left untreated, can lead to amputation

 

Alongside physical injuries, psychological injuries can also be sustained as accidents can be traumatic. Depression due to injuries as well an increase in anxiety around dogs are common following a dog bite attack.

If you have been bitten by a dog and suffered injuries as a result, you may be eligible to make a dog bite compensation claim.

 

Following a dog attack, what should I do?

 

Following the initial accident, you should seek medical attention immediately to assess the extent of your injuries and to determine whether any further medical treatment is required. You should receive a detailed assessment of your injuries which could be used as evidence to prove your injuries in your claim.

You should also take photographs of your injuries and, if possible, photographs of the dog involved. These photographs may also be used as evidence to strengthen your claim. Also, you should exchange contact details with anyone that was involved or witnessed the accident happening as they may need to provide statements further into your case.

Then, contact Wildwood Legal to discuss the circumstances of your case with one of our experienced personal injury solicitors and begin the claims process in order to get the compensation that you deserve.

After a traumatic event such as a dog bite, the strain on family relationships can be immense; professional advice on divorce and family law might be necessary.

 

How will my compensation be calculated?

 

The compensation award you receive will depend on a variety of facts, from the breed of dog to the severity of your injuries. The amount of compensation you receive will be split into general damages for your injuries and special damages for any additional losses.

 

General Damages – This is the amount you will receive for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. To calculate this amount, we look at previous cases which are similar to yours, together with guidelines that are issued to Judges who decide the outcome of such claims if they go to Court. Your case will be valued on the basis of your injuries as described by suitably qualified medical professionals.

 

Special Damages – These are any direct financial losses that you may have suffered as a result of your injuries. Typically, these may include loss of earnings up to the settlement, loss of earnings in the future or the costs of care provided to you as well as medical treatment costs and travel costs.

 

For more information on how your compensation will be calculated, contact Wildwood Legal today to get in touch with a personal injury solicitor to find out more. Compensation calculators may also be used.

 

Time limits for making dog bite claims

 

The general rule on time limits for making a dog bite claim is that you have three years from the date of the injury to have either settled your claim or started court proceedings once the accident occurred.

The three-year deadline begins on the date that the accident happened or from the date on which you realised that your injuries were associated with the animal attack.

 

How much will it cost to make my claim?

 

We will always be 100% transparent about what our charges are, and if we take on your case, we will almost always do so on a Conditional Fee Agreement (also known as a no-win, no-fee basis).

This means that if you do not win your case, you do not pay us any fees at all. If we win the case, we take a small percentage of your financial compensation, which we will agree with you beforehand, to cover our costs.

We will never ask you to sign anything until you are completely happy with what it is that we are proposing. For more information on this, contact us today to get in touch with a member of our team.

 

How can Wildwood Legal assist?

 

At Wildwood Legal, our core strength is in personal injury claims. Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in assisting claimants with animal injury claims. Contact us if you have been involved in an accident and are looking to claim for a dog bite attack.

We aim to give you not only quality legal advice but flexibility and clarity as we know that these qualities are just as important.

Our aim is to obtain the compensation you deserve for your case, we value the opinion of our clients, and we will always listen to you and take on board what you say. Most importantly, we are on your side.

Our law firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; therefore, we provide everything that is needed to meet their high standards, meaning that we are a trusted law firm. We offer services to individuals located in England and Wales. We will always keep your personal data private. To make an enquiry, get in contact with us either email us info@winstonsolicitors.co.ukor call us 0113 320 5000.