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Dog Bite Solicitors: No Win, No Fee
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Dogs are often cherished members of the family, and most are friendly and well-behaved. However, not all encounters are harmless. Unfortunately, dog attacks can and do happen, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. When these incidents occur, victims may be entitled to seek compensation through dog bite solicitors.
Dog bites can cause significant physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens, especially if extensive medical treatment or ongoing care is needed. In many cases, dog owners can be held legally responsible if the attack resulted from their negligence or other contributing factors.
If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Our experienced dog bite solicitors are here to help, offering no win, no fee support. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
Common types of injuries related to dog bites
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:
- Puncture Wounds: Dog teeth are sharp and can create deep puncture wounds that may appear small on the surface but penetrate deep into muscles or tissues. These wounds can be deceptive, often carrying a high risk of infection due to the bacteria introduced from the dog’s mouth.
- Lacerations: When a dog bites and shakes, it can result in jagged, tearing injuries to the skin and underlying tissues. These injuries often require stitches or, in severe cases, reconstructive surgery.
- Rabies: Although rare in the UK, rabies is a life-threatening viral infection transmitted through saliva. Immediate medical attention and vaccination are critical if rabies exposure is suspected.
- Tetanus: A bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes muscle stiffness. Victims should receive a tetanus shot if they are not up to date on vaccinations.
- Nerve damage: If a bite occurs near nerves, such as in the hands or face, it can cause nerve damage. This may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of function in the affected area. In some cases, nerve repair surgery is necessary.
- Fractures: Bites to bony areas like fingers, hands, or forearms can cause fractures. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller, more fragile bones.
- Crush Injuries: Dogs with powerful jaws, such as certain breeds, can exert significant pressure, crushing tissues, muscles, and even bones. Crush injuries may require surgical intervention.
- Permanent Scarring: Dog bites often leave lasting scars, especially when injuries occur on the face or hands. The emotional impact of visible scarring can be significant.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can result in loss of strength or flexibility. This is especially problematic when bites occur near joints, limiting mobility and function.
- Amputations: Severe attacks may result in the loss of fingers, toes, or other extremities, particularly if the blood supply is compromised or tissues are too damaged to repair.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Victims, especially children, may develop PTSD, experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety. Professional counselling or therapy may be necessary.
- Blood Loss and Haemorrhaging: Severe bites can damage major blood vessels, leading to significant blood loss. Immediate first aid and medical attention are essential to control bleeding and prevent shock.
- Facial Injuries: Facial bites are particularly common in children, who are often at eye level with dogs. Injuries to the nose, lips, cheeks, or eyes may require reconstructive surgery or skin grafts.
- Eye Injuries: Bites near the eyes can lead to vision loss or damage, requiring specialist care from ophthalmologists.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is a UK law aimed at reducing dog attacks and ensuring public safety. It prohibits ownership of specific breeds deemed dangerous, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Owning, breeding, or selling these breeds is illegal without special court exemptions.
The Act also holds dog owners accountable for their pets’ behaviour. It applies to all dogs that are dangerously out of control, regardless of breed, whether in public or private spaces. If a dog injures someone, the owner may face criminal charges, including fines, imprisonment, or a destruction order for the dog. In some cases, even non-injury incidents can lead to legal consequences if the dog poses a risk.
The Animals Act of 1971 is another relevant law. It imposes strict liability on “keepers” of animals for damage caused, regardless of negligence. This means a dog owner is responsible for their pet’s actions, even if they weren’t directly involved in the incident.
It is important to note that 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 a significant responsibility to ensure the safety of both their pets and the public. The key aspects of dog owner responsibility include:
Control of the Dog
- Owners must ensure their dog is under control at all times, whether in public or private spaces. This includes keeping dogs on a lead in public areas and ensuring they are well-behaved around people and other animals. If a dog is deemed out of control, the owner may be held legally liable, regardless of whether the dog has previously shown aggressive behaviour.
Preventing Attacks
- Dog owners must take reasonable steps to prevent their dog from attacking others. This includes proper training, socialisation, and supervision, especially in situations where the dog might be provoked or scared. Dogs that display aggressive behaviour should be kept away from vulnerable individuals, such as children or elderly people.
Legal Compliance
- Under laws such as the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, owners must adhere to regulations regarding breed-specific restrictions. They must ensure their dog is not a banned breed, or if it is, they must seek a court exemption. If a dog is deemed dangerous, owners may face legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.
Health and Welfare
- Dog owners are responsible for their pet’s overall health and well-being. This includes providing adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care. Neglecting these duties can result in legal action under animal welfare laws.
Insurance
- Many owners are advised or required to have pet insurance to cover potential damages caused by their dog. This can help protect against the financial consequences of an attack or injury caused by the dog.
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.
Time limits to making a claim
Before pursuing a dog bite injury claim, it’s crucial to be aware of the strict time limits for personal injury claims. In general, the injured party has 3 years from the date of the dog bite to begin legal proceedings and seek compensation.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:
- Minors: 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 initiate the claim on their behalf until they turn 18.
- Mental Capacity: If the claimant lacks the mental capacity to pursue a claim, the 3-year limit does not apply. In these cases, the claimant can begin the process at any time once they regain the mental capacity to do so.
- Criminal Injuries Compensation: If the dog bite was the result of a criminal act, the victim may be eligible to apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The time limit for claims under this scheme is generally 2 years from the date of the incident, though there are exceptions for cases where the claimant was a minor or has good reasons for not filing within the usual timeframe.
These exceptions ensure that individuals who may be unable to act within the typical time frame still have access to justice and are entitled to claim for a dog bite injury.
How can Beacon Law assist?
Beacon Law are specialist personal injury solicitors with a wealth of experience in dealing with no win, no fee claims. If you have been bitten by a dog, 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 dog bite solicitors are highly experienced in dog bite compensation claims.
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.
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Last Updated on December 4, 2024 by Stacey