If you are bitten by a dog, or your child is attacked by a dog the implications can be devastating. Dog bites can be physically scarred, psychologically damaging and in very serious cases can even result in fatalities. Many dog bites are actually inflicted by a dog which an individual knows; perhaps it has been scared and has acted out of character.
When May I Claim?
If you have been attacked by your own dog you will not be able to make a claim. This is because in the eyes of the law the owner of a dog is held responsible for the actions of the animal when it is under their control. Unpredictable or aggressive behaviour by a dog may be the fault of its owner. You can enter a claim against either the owner of the dog or the person who was in control of the dog at the time the attack occurred. There are a number of factors which you need to cover to make your claim more successful:-
- Identify the dog’s owner
- Record your injuries and any scarring you have received as a result of the attack.
- Contact the police and report the attack.
- If anyone witnesses the attack ensure you take down all their details. You will do well to have witnesses to strengthen your account of the incident.
- Enquire as to whether the dog has attacked before.
- If the dog is a banned type, this is serious. It is illegal to be in possession of any of the following dangerous dog types: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero. It is not breeds of dog which are banned, but types. This is important as a dog which has the characteristics of any of these types is also considered a dangerous dog. This is because a dog containing any of these characteristics is significantly more likely to attack than one which does not. Not only are these types of dogs a danger to the public, possession also can carry a fine of up to £5,000 and a prison sentence of up to 6 months.
What Will My Compensation Cover?
Your compensation amount should be assessed on the extent of your injuries, physical and psychological and any lasting damage the attack has caused and will also be assessed on financial losses. Financial losses include loss of earnings, medical costs such as surgery and prescriptions, travel costs to appointments and so on.
Contact a lawyer who specialises in dog bite claims today. Call Freeman Harris on 020 7231 7150 or fill in an online enquiry to receive a completely free of charge initial consultation with one of our team.
