Dog Bite Claims

Can I claim compensation for a dog bite?

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, all dog owners have a responsibility to control their dog and protect others from harm – whether they are in public or on private property. This means that if you’re injured by another person’s dog, you could be entitled to make a claim.

To claim compensation for a dog bite, you’ll generally need to be able to prove:

• You were bitten by someone else’s dog
• The bite resulted in a physical or psychological injury
• The owner of the dog was responsible for your injury – either because they failed to control their dog or failed to take the right actions to prevent the attack from happening

This is where a personal injury solicitor can help. They’ll gather evidence to support your case, giving it the best possible chance of success.

If you’re not sure whether you have grounds to make a dog bite claim, get in touch with our friendly advisors for a free initial chat. They’ll listen to what happened and let you know if you have a strong case for compensation.

What evidence will be used to support my dog bite claim?

When you’re bitten by a dog, your first priority should be to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think the bite is bad enough to be seen by a doctor, there’s always the risk of infection. So it’s best to be on the safe side.

If you do then decide to make a claim, your medical notes could be used to show the extent of the injuries you suffered and the treatment you had to undergo.

Your solicitor will also look to gather evidence including:

• Photo and video evidence
  This might include photos of your injuries or the place where you were attacked. Your solicitor will also look for any CCTV footage that may have been captured at the time of the incident.
• Police records
  Your solicitor will use the police report of your attack to gain a better picture of what happened. They may also look to find out whether the dog was already known to the police, or if it was a banned breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
• Witness accounts
  Wherever possible, your solicitor will speak to people who witnessed your attack. Their statements will be used to support your own recollection of what happened. This can be especially useful if you weren’t able to clearly see the dog or its owner yourself.
• Your own memory of what happened
  Your solicitor will also ask you what you remember of the attack. Don’t worry if you can’t remember every detail – this is very common after going through such a shock. Your solicitor will work with you to pick apart what happened, at your own pace.

How can First4Lawyers help?

We work with experienced dog bite injury lawyers who will help you access the support and compensation you deserve. They’ll work to gather the evidence needed to prove your claim, so you’ll have the best chance of succeeding.

At First4Lawyers, we understand how daunting it can be to make a claim – especially after going through something as traumatic as a dog attack. But our solicitors will guide you through the entire process, so you won’t be doing it alone.

For these types of claims, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there will be nothing to pay upfront and no legal fees to cover if your case is unsuccessful. Give us a call today to find out more.

Dog bite claim FAQs

Is there a time limit for making a dog bite claim?

You’ll usually have three years to make a dog bite claim. This will start from the date of the attack.

While three years might sound like a long time, it’s best to seek legal advice earlier rather than later. This is because it will be easier for your solicitor to access key evidence such as medical records and CCTV. It may also be easier for you to remember the details of the attack.

If you’re claiming on behalf of a child, you won’t face the same time limit. Instead, you’ll have until the child’s 18th birthday to submit a claim as a ‘litigation friend’. If a claim hasn’t been made by the time the child turns 18, they’ll have until their 21st birthday to take legal action themselves.

How long does it take to claim compensation for a dog bite?

This will largely depend on whether the owner of the dog that attacked you admits responsibility. If they do, your case could be resolved within a few months.

But if responsibility for your injuries is denied, your solicitor will need to go away and gather further evidence to support your claim.

In these cases, the claims process can take longer. But your solicitor will keep you updated at every stage. So you’ll never be left wondering how much longer you have to wait.

What is the average compensation payout for a dog bite claim?

The amount of compensation you receive for a dog bite will depend on a number of factors. But if your claim is successful, your compensation will usually be split into two categories – general damages and special damages:

• General damages* – these will cover the pain and suffering you’ve endured since the incident took place.
• Special damages – accounting for any financial losses related to the attack, such as lost earnings due to time taken off work or the cost of travel to and from hospital appointments.

*To find out how much you could be entitled to in general damages, try our free compensation calculator.

I think I have a dog bite claim – what should I do?

If you’ve suffered a dog bite, make sure to get your injuries checked by a medical professional. Your wellbeing comes first, so this should always be a priority.

After this, you might consider making a claim for compensation. Our knowledgeable legal advisors are here to answer any questions you may have about the claims process. So you’ll have all the information you need to decide on your next steps.

To find out more about how we could help you, get in touch with us today. You can call us on the number at the top of the screen, request a callback or fill in our quick and easy online claims form.

We’re here to help, whenever you’re ready.