No Win No Fee Personal Injury Claims
No-win, No-fee claims
If you’ve been injured in an accident that occurred because someone who had a duty of care towards you breached this duty, you may be able to claim compensation for your suffering.
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Dog Bite Compensation Claims
100% No Win No Fee
If you are bitten by a dog then you may be entitled to make a compensation claim against the dog owner. The Dangerous Dogs Act states it is against the law to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control and injure or threaten to injure another person or animal. It is a legal requirement to keep your dog under control in private and public places and in the owner's home.
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You don’t need to own a dog to get bitten by a dog. Dog bite incidents happen to friends or family of a dog’s owner, but also to strangers or bystanders bitten by someone else’s dog. Thousands of people are bitten by a dog every year in the UK and if you are one of them, then you may be able to claim compensation.
In this guide, you can learn all about dog bites, what to do after a dog attack and how to make a dog bite compensation claim.
If you’d like to find out whether you can make a dog bite compensation claim, then call us for free on the number at the top of this page or send us a message now via our live chat. Access the legal support you need to make a claim for physical and psychological injuries. Our advice is free of charge and without obligation.
How Common are Dog Attacks?
It is estimated that there are just under 11 million dogs in the UK and 28% of adults have a dog but despite this, dog attacks and dog bites are still relatively rare.
National media has reported that there were nearly 22,000 cases of dogs that were out of control and caused injury rising from a number of 16,000 in 2018.
However, according to the BBC who issued a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request to all 43 police forces, the police have been focusing more on dangerous dogs using specialist officers so the number of reports has increased.
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience being bitten by a dog, then you’ll know that statistics don’t really matter when it comes to a dog bite injury.
What is a Dog Bite Compensation Claim?
If you’ve been bitten by a dog then you may be able to start a dog bite claim. This is a form of personal injury claim and you may be entitled to compensation as a result. The Dangerous Dogs Act makes it clear that dog owners have a legal responsibility to protect other people and animals from their dog so that they don’t suffer injuries.
A personal injury claim for a dog bite or dog bites is a civil claim in English law. Dog bite compensation claims can be brought against an individual, usually the dog owner, or an organisation.
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What Should I Do First?
Being bitten by a dog is shocking and traumatic but you should, if you can, immediately remove yourself from any further danger especially if the dog is still running loose and out of control.
Once safe, you should try and find the person responsible and get the dog owner’s details plus see if they have any insurance cover. Then, if there were any other people around, see if you can take their details and ask if they are prepared to act as witnesses to the incident.
Next, you should seek medical attention as a matter of urgency. Even if the wound seems trivial, dog bites can carry a high risk of infection due to the bacteria in a dog’s mouth so it’s essential to seek medical treatment without delay.
Contact the police and report the incident – they will give you a crime reference number. It’s always worth doing this even if you can’t find the dog or its owner. Other people may have had similar issues with that dog and reported them which could help your case.
Keep a written record of what happened and do this as soon as you can after the event whilst it’s still fresh in your mind. This is all essential evidence that your solicitor will need for a dog bite claim.
How do I Start a Personal Injury Claim for a Dog Bite?
Your solicitor will begin the dog bite claims process by gathering evidence about how the dog attack took place and what happened. It will help if you can identify the dog owner and provide tangible evidence about the incident as you will need to show that the dog owner or handler was negligent and that the dog was out of control.
If you were able to identify people who saw the dog attack then they may be prepared to give witness statements. The more information you have the better your chance of being able to make a successful dog bite claim and claim compensation.
Some people are able to find passing car drivers who may have recorded the incident on their dashcam if it was adjacent to a road. If the dog attack took place in a residential area, then there could be footage from doorbell or security cameras.
One of the reasons it’s important to seek medical attention without delay (apart from the risk of infection from a dog bite injury), is that a doctor can examine the dog bites and verify from their nature that they were not caused by anything else. Photos of the wounds can also be helpful to use in evidence both pre and post medical treatment.
What are the Main Types of Injuries from a Dog Bite?
Dog bite injuries are surprisingly varied. Whilst your focus may initially be on the damage caused by the dog’s teeth, there could be other injuries that occurred during the incident which can form part of your compensation claim. Here are some of the most common dog bite injuries seen by lawyers in dog bite claims.
- Jagged tear wounds and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones if you fell during a sustained attack or incurred in self-defence
- Facial injuries if the dog carried on attacking whilst you were on the ground
- Nerve damage caused by deep bite wounds
- Dogs don’t just cause physical injuries, there may be the option to claim for emotional and psychological trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The seriousness of the injuries will usually dictate how much money is awarded when you claim compensation. There may be later medical expenses if you require plastic surgery due to permanent scarring from the dog bites. This will all be reflected in the compensation awarded.
Dog bite injuries are surprisingly varied. Whilst your focus may initially be on the damage caused by the dog’s teeth, there could be other injuries that occurred during the incident which can form part of your compensation claim. Here are some of the most common dog bite injuries seen by lawyers in dog bite claims.
- Jagged tear wounds and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones if you fell during a sustained attack or incurred in self-defence
- Facial injuries if the dog carried on attacking whilst you were on the ground
- Nerve damage caused by deep bite wounds
- Dogs don’t just cause physical injuries, there may be the option to claim for emotional and psychological trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The seriousness of the injuries will usually dictate how much money is awarded when you claim compensation. There may be later medical expenses if you require plastic surgery due to permanent scarring from the dog bites. This will all be reflected in the compensation awarded.
Can I Claim Compensation if I Cannot Identify the Dog Owner?
Sometimes, dog bite claimants can be left high and dry either because the dog owner doesn’t have any insurance or they don’t know which dog bit them or who owns it.
In these cases, your solicitor can help you claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The CICA is an agency that pays out compensation to victims of violent crime including people bitten by a dog.
How No Win No Fee Solicitors Co Can Help You Make a Claim for Compensation
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Claiming compensation for a dog bite or more extensive physical injuries is complicated so it’s essential to work with an expert no win no fee solicitor who has experience of dog bite claims. Here at No Win No Fee Solicitors Co, our team are experts in dog bite injury claims and have represented numerous clients, with outstanding results every time.
As our name suggests, we operate on a No Win No, Fee basis. This means you pay nothing to start the process to claim dog bite compensation, and if it doesn’t lead to a financial award, you won’t pay any fees – so there is absolutely no personal financial risk when you make a claim.
You’ll only pay a fee if you get a payout. The fee is a small percentage of the compensation and will depend on how much compensation you receive so you can enjoy quality legal representation without any risk to you of incurring expensive legal costs. This system means our expert services can help more people who might not have the money to make a claim and pay expensive legal fees up front.
If you’re considering starting the claims process for compensation for a dog bite then call us at the number above, write to us here, or message us now via our live chat box. We’re always happy to help.
How Much Compensation can I Claim in a Dog Bite Claim?
Every dog bite claim is different and unique in its circumstances, and the injuries suffered by the claimant and how it impacts their life differ too.
The monetary value of dog bite claims depends on the type of injuries sustained and how long-lasting their effects are. When assessing any type of personal injury claim, the courts and the legal profession refer to something called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
The Guidelines provide detailed parameters for different physical injuries and psychological trauma. How much compensation you receive will depend on the severity of the injuries and whether they cause any long-lasting impact. Here are a few examples of the different monetary awards you could receive in a dog bite claim.
- If you sustained a minor head injury because you fell whilst being bitten by a dog then you can expect to receive between £2,690 and £15,580
- An injury to the arm which is classified by the JCG as less severe – the arm is often used in self-defence – can receive between £23,430 and £47,810
- Serious damage to both hands, a common injury in dog bite claims, can receive an award of between £68,070 and £103,200
- Total or partial loss of an index finger will lead to an award between £14,850 and £22,870
- If you suffer moderate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder then you can receive compensation of between £9,980 and £28,250
Will the Claim for Injury Cover Lost Earnings?
Personal injury claims don’t just provide compensation for physical injuries and mental damage. Personal injury compensation can also cover something called Special Damages.
Special Damages allow a victim to claim compensation for financial losses. These include: –
- The cost of private medical treatment
- Expenses associated with travelling to appointments if you are unable to drive – you will need to provide receipts for taxis, bus fares or train travel to support your claim
- Serious dog attacks may mean time off work and if your employer doesn’t have an employee sick pay scheme then you may be forced to rely on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) which could leave your usual income much reduced whilst you are away from work
- If injuries sustained are life-changing then, in some very serious dog bite cases, a victim may be unable to work again or could need permanent support for their lifestyle or adaptations to their home – fortunately, these cases are very rare
Dog Bite Claim FAQs
Here are the answers to some common questions about dog bite compensation claims.
Can a claim for dog bite compensation include injuries to my own dog?
Some dog owners have experienced situations with another aggressive or out of control dog that has caused dog injuries to their pet as well as injuries to themselves. It could be that you weren’t even the subject of the dog attack but that you were injured trying to protect your dog. A dog bite injury claim is a personal injury claim that really only covers injuries to people. However, you have the right in the UK to recover the cost of any veterinary treatment from the owner of the dog who attacked your dog. If you can identify the owner and their dog is insured then the usual process is to make a dog injury claim against their third party liability or pet insurance policy. It is possible that your solicitor may help you try to recover any veterinary costs alongside your claim for compensation.
Can I claim compensation if I was bitten by a dog at work?
Some workplaces may have a guard dog to protect the premises and so it will be the responsibility of your employer to make sure that the dog is kept under control and that employees are safe. If you are bitten by a guard dog at work and decide to claim compensation, then the claim would be brought against your employer’s liability insurer. All employers must have employer’s liability insurance by law.
Which dogs is it illegal to own under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?
In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain dog breeds including Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argention, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully dogs.
What is the time limit to make a dog bite compensation claim?
Personal injury claims are subject to a three year time limit from the date of the incident under the Limitation Act 1980. If your child was also bitten by the dog, then they have three years from the date they turn eighteen to make a claim; for minors (under eighteens), their three year period doesn’t start to run until they turn eighteen but you can still bring a dog bite claim on their behalf if they are under eighteen. You will need to become their ‘litigation friend’, effectively their legal representative and your personal injury solicitor can help you with this claim as well as your own. Any money awarded to the child will be held in a trust fund until they reach their eighteenth birthday.
I work with dogs, can I make a dog bite claim if I get bitten by a dog?
If you work with dogs as part of your job, like a police dog handler, then a dog bite may be an occupational hazard – it depends on the circumstances. There are cases where your employer may have failed to implement adequate and appropriate handling and training systems and they could be at fault. If you work with dog owners, for example, as a dog groomer then a dog bite claim could be more complicated as you would need to prove that the dog was out of control or dangerous and that the bite was not caused by something you have done.
How long does a dog bite claim take?
Each case is unique and it will depend upon the severity of the injuries, whether the dog’s owner admits liability or even whether you can identify the dog and its owner. Simple cases can be settled in a matter of weeks but some cases take longer and may end up in court. If the injuries are very severe and life-changing then it may be possible to receive interim payments to help with financial losses and hardship. These smaller amounts are part of the overall compensation for a dog bite claim and allow claimants to receive some money whilst negotiations continue.
