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Dog Attack Claim: No Win, No Fee
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In recent years, incidents of dog attacks have increasingly become a matter of public concern, drawing attention to potential risks and consequences associated with canine aggression. These occurrences, raise complex legal and ethical questions surrounding pet ownership, responsibility, and victim compensation.
Dog attacks can have a significant physical, emotional and financial impact on those involved. If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a dog attack, you may be eligible to make a dog attack claim.
Beacon Law has a team of experienced solicitors who can assist you following a dog attack and help you get the compensation that you deserve.
What should I do following a dog attack?
Following a dog attack, it is crucial to take immediate steps to ensure your safety, well-being, and legal rights. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do:
- Seek Medical Attention: Priority should be given to your health and safety. Even if the wound seems minor, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. Dog bites can lead to infections and complications if not treated properly. You should also receive a medical record of your injuries which could be used as evidence.
- Report the Incident: Notify the appropriate authorities about the dog attack. Reporting the incident helps ensure proper documentation and investigation.
- Exchange Information: If possible, obtain the contact information of the dog’s owner or the person responsible for the dog at the time of the attack. This information will be crucial for legal purposes.
- Document the Scene: Take photographs of the location where the attack occurred, as well as your dog bite injuries. Visual evidence can be valuable in supporting your claim later on.
- Gather Witness Information: If there were witnesses to the attack, obtain their contact information. Witness testimonies can provide additional evidence to support your case.
- Preserve Evidence: Preserve any torn clothing or other items damaged during the attack as evidence. Also, keep records of any medical expenses incurred as a result of the dog bite.
- Report to Animal Control: If the dog’s behaviour poses a threat to public safety, report the incident to animal control. They may take appropriate measures to ensure the dog is properly restrained or removed from the community.
- Consult with a Legal Professional: Consider consulting with a personal injury solicitor who has experience in handling dog bite cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights, options for pursuing compensation, and represent your interests in negotiations or court proceedings.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 bans five types of dangerous dogs in the UK. Owners of these dog breeds are required to have their dogs assessed to ensure that they do not pose a risk to humans. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, which is banned under this act, your claim may be more likely to succeed.
The five dangerous breeds of dog are:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino
- The XL Bully is illegal to own without a certificate of exemption
To find out whether you can make a dog attack claim for compensation, contact us today to speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor.
Conditions for strict liability
Where damage is caused by an animal which does not belong to a dangerous species, three conditions must be satisfied:
- the damage is of a kind which the animal, unless restrained, was likely to cause or which, if caused by the animal, was likely to be severe; and
- the likelihood of the damage was due to the characteristics of the animal which are not typically found in animals of the same species or are not usually so found except at particular times or in specific circumstances; and
- those characteristics were known to that keeper or were at any time known to a person who at that time had charge of the animal as that keeper’s servant
In some cases, the owner will have pet insurance in place, which may cover the costs of your personal injury compensation.
How much compensation could I receive?
The amount of compensation you could claim for a dog bite injury will vary depending on a number of factors, including the pain and suffering caused by the attack. We will base the valuation of your general damages based on the average payout in the UK, as well as guidelines set out by the Judicial College.
You will also be able to make a claim for special damages, which include additional financial losses sustained as a result of your injuries. These can include:
- Loss of earnings if you required time off due to the attack or if you have been required to change or leave your employment as a result.
- Travel costs – for travel to and from medical appointments.
- Parking costs at medical appointments.
- Care and Assistance compensation for any paid or additional unpaid care required as a result of the attack; this can include care provided by a family member.
- Medical treatment costs.
- Costs of making any required adjustments to your home as the result of your injuries.
You should ensure that you keep all receipts and invoices for your additional losses, as these will be required to prove your losses.
Time limits for dog attack claims
Before starting your claim, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the attack that caused the injuries, the injured party will have 3 years in which to commence proceedings for claiming compensation.
It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule:
For example, if the claimant was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, they have until their 21st birthday to make their compensation claim. In the meantime, provided that the claimant is still under the age of 18, a litigation friend such as a parent, guardian, or close family member could claim compensation on their behalf.
Another exception to the 3 year time limit occurs when the claimant who has suffered an injury does not have the mental capacity to begin their dog bite compensation claim. In this case, a close family member or friend can claim on their behalf.
Why choose Beacon Law?
Beacon Law is a law firm of specialist personal injury solicitors. We have helped many of our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries sustained as a result of a dog attack.
We have years of experience in assisting those who have experienced all types of injuries. We deal with personal injury claims on a daily basis and have vast experience in injury-related cases.
You can request an initial consultation by completing the online help form, and an experienced solicitor will contact you to discuss your case. Alternatively, you can call us on 0330 1332 857, and we will be happy to assist you with your query.
Beacon Law are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee basis, have a look at the funding section on our website.
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