Dog Bite Injury Lawyer: How We Can Help

While many households in the UK have beloved family pets, and dogs are generally not considered dangerous due to their domestication, there are exceptions. Unfortunately, aggressive dog attacks do occur, leading many victims to seek compensation through dog bite claims.

Dog bite incidents can lead to serious physical and psychological harm and financial losses. This is especially true if the injury requires extensive medical treatment or leads to long-term effects. In many cases, the dog’s owner may be held liable for the actions of their pet, depending on factors such as negligence and the circumstances of the attack.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you could be entitled to claim. A dog bite injury lawyer from our team can assist you in making a claim on a no win no fee basis. Please get in touch today to find out more.

What types of injuries can dog bites lead to?

Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. The severity of the injury depends on factors such as the size and breed of the dog, the location of the bite, and the victim’s age and overall health. Some of the injuries that can result from dog bites include:

• Punctures and lacerations: Dog teeth can cause puncture wounds that can become infected or lacerations that may require stitches.
• Infections: Bacteria from a dog’s mouth can cause serious infections such as tetanus and rabies.
• Broken bones: A dog bite can cause bones to fracture, especially in small children and the elderly.
• Nerve damage: A bite may damage nerves in the area, causing loss of sensation or movement.
• Scarring and disfigurement: A bite can leave permanent scars or disfigurement, especially on the face.
• Emotional trauma: A dog bite can be a traumatic event that can cause emotional distress, especially in children.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Dog owners are legally required to keep their pets under control at all times. The Dangerous Dogs Act makes it illegal for any dog to be out of control, and if you believe a dog in your area poses a risk, you can report the owner to your local council’s dog warden. The warden will assess the situation and determine if the dog could be dangerous.

Passed in 1991, the Dangerous Dogs Act also introduced a list of banned breeds, which were historically bred for fighting or aggression. The breeds currently banned in the UK include:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Fila Brasileiro
• Dogo Argentino

However, while these breeds are banned, any dog, regardless of its breed, can bite and cause harm. The key factor is the owner’s ability to train and control their pet.

Dog owner responsibility

Dog owners have both a legal and moral duty to control their pets and prevent them from causing harm to others. While specific laws and regulations may vary by area, typical responsibilities for dog owners generally include:

• Keeping the dog on a lead or within a securely fenced area in public spaces.
• Supervising the dog at all times, particularly around other people or animals.
• Training the dog to respond to basic commands like “sit” and “stay.”
• Taking precautions to prevent the dog from escaping or getting loose.
• Ensuring the dog is up to date on vaccinations and receives proper medical care.
• Accepting responsibility for any harm caused by the dog, including covering medical expenses or property damage.

If a dog owner neglects these duties and their dog causes harm, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages. It is essential for dog owners to take their responsibilities seriously, ensuring the safety of both their pets and the people around them.

Making a dog bite injury claim

During your initial consultation, a dog bite injury lawyer from our team will provide you with legal advice about dog bite injury claims and will inform you about the relevant limitation rules.

Our personal injury lawyers will then ask you for details about your accident and the initial injuries that were suffered as a result. This will help our dog bite injury lawyers to assess the likelihood of your claim being successful.

In the early stages of your dog bite injury compensation claim, it’s essential to gather evidence to support your case. This may include CCTV footage of the incident, medical records, accident reports, photographs of your injuries, and witness statements.

Your dog bite injury lawyer may also request that you undergo an independent medical examination to obtain a detailed report on the nature and extent of your injuries. These medical reports serve as crucial evidence for your claim. Even if you’ve already received medical treatment, a more comprehensive assessment may still be required to ensure the reports are accurate, thorough, and reliable.

If we think that your dog bite injury claim would be likely to succeed, we will offer a no win, no fee basis; if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay any legal fees.

How much compensation could I receive?

If you have been injured due to a dog bite, and you decide to make a claim, the compensation for your accident will be dependent on the type of injury and the level of pain and suffering you sustained.

It is difficult to value a claim from the outset without knowing all the details of the injury. As many injuries are complex, especially those which are ongoing, it may be necessary to obtain a medical evaluation of your injuries before we can make an estimation on the value of your injuries.

The valuation of your general damages will be based on recent case law, as well as guidelines set out by the Judicial College.

In addition to your claim for compensation for your injuries, you may also be able to make a claim for additional financial losses. Your additional losses can include the following:

• Loss of earnings if you required time off due to the accident.
• Travel costs – for travel to and from medical appointments
• Parking costs at medical appointments
• Costs of any care received
• Medical treatment costs

Make sure to keep all receipts and invoices for any additional expenses, as these will be necessary to verify your losses.

If your injuries are severe and require long-term treatment or result in extended time off work, your compensation is likely to be significantly higher than for a minor injury where recovery occurs within a few weeks.

Some firms provide compensation calculators to give you an estimate of your claim’s potential value. However, it’s important to note that these estimates may not always be accurate, particularly if you have not fully recovered or continue to incur expenses related to your injury.

What are the time limits for dog bite claims?

Before starting your claim for a dog bite injury, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. The injured party will have 3 years from the date of the dog bite to commence proceedings for claiming compensation.

It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule:

For instance, if the claimant was under 18 at the time of the incident, they have until their 21st birthday to file a compensation claim. If the claimant is still under 18, a litigation friend (such as a parent, guardian, or close family member) can pursue the claim on their behalf.

Another exception to the three-year time limit applies when the claimant lacks the mental capacity to start an accident claim. In such cases, the three-year limit does not apply. The claimant can initiate their claim at any point once they regain the mental capacity to proceed.

Why choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law are specialist personal injury solicitors with a wealth of experience in dealing with dog bite claims. We can provide you with specialist legal advice on making a claim and guide you through the process, whilst negotiating the best settlement for your accident and injuries.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors are highly experienced in dog bite compensation claims. We have recovered substantial damages for client’s injured on the road.

We offer our services on a no win, no fee basis, which means you only have to pay our fees if we win your case for you. To find out more about making a claim for a no-win, no fee basis, have a look at the funding section on our website.

For a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim with a member of our legal team, please call us today on 0330 1332 857 or complete our online contact details form and one of our experts will call you back.

Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.