By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 13th September 2024. If you have suffered a dog bit injury, you may be wondering whether you could be eligible to receive compensation. Within this guide, we will set out the eligibility requirements that all dog bite claims must meet in order for them to be valid.
Additionally, we will provide a case study for a £28k compensation payout for a dog bit injury. This guide will also explain how compensation is calculated in such claims, and the different heads of loss you could be awarded.
Furthermore, we will share examples of evidence that could be used to support a dog bite claim, as well as explain the time limits that must be adhered to. Finally, this guide will end by looking at how one of our No Win No Fee solicitors could help you with making your claim.
If you have any specific questions you would like answered or to receive free advice on your particular case, you can contact one of our advisors by:
- Calling 0800 073 8801
- Using our live chat service.
- Contacting us online.
Select A Section
- Dog Bite Claims – Case Study
- What Are The Criteria For Dog Bite Claims?
- Evidence That Could Support A Dog Bite Claim
- How Long Do I Have To Claim Dog Bite Compensation?
- What Is The Average Payout For A Dog Bite?
- No Win No Fee Agreements And Dog Bite Claims
- Helpful Resources On Dog Bite Claims
Dog Bite Claims – Case Study
Before we provide information about how you could claim for an injury caused by a dog, let us give you an example of a successful dog bite claim.
In this case, a woman was attacked by a dog when she was out for a jog. The dog had attacked two other runners in the past two months, and the owner had already been warned about the dog’s behaviour and told to keep it on a lead. However, the owner ignored this and let his dog roam freely in a public park, which is where the attack happened.
In the attack, the woman’s left arm and elbow were punctured badly, and she required hospital treatment. She was left with permanent scarring and developed a phobia of dogs, which impacted her ability to go out and enjoy her usual runs.
The woman sought help from a solicitor experienced in dog bite claims. They successfully negotiated a settlement of £28,000 for the woman for her physical and psychological injuries as well as the costs she incurred as a result of her injuries.
To see whether you may be eligible to claim compensation for a dog bite injury, you can contact one of our friendly team members.
What Are The Criteria For Dog Bite Claims?
Anyone responsible for a dog, whether as a dog owner, a dog sitter, or a dog walker, owes a legal duty of care to others. This duty of care means that they must ensure that the dog is not dangerously out of control.
Section 3 of The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 states that if the person responsible for a dog fails to control the animal, and this results in another person being injured, then this is a breach of duty of care.
As such, here is the eligibility criteria to make a dog bite claim:
- You were owed a duty of care by someone who was responsible for a dog.
- The person responsible didn’t control their dog and breached their duty of care.
- You were injured as a result.
To find out whether you can make a dog bite claim, and to learn what the average payout for a dog bite in the UK is, have a chat with us today.
Is There Another Way To Claim Compensation For A Dog Bite?
Dog bite claims are usually made through the dog owner’s insurance. However, if the dog was used as a weapon against you in a violent attack, then a claim could be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is a UK agency that creates an avenue for compensation to those injured in a violent crime.
To learn more about this, please contact us.
Evidence That Could Support A Dog Bite Claim
If you are considering starting your own dog bite compensation claim, you will need to gather evidence to help support your case. If a solicitor agrees to assist you with your claim, then they can help with evidence gathering.
Potential evidence that could be used when claiming compensation for a dog bite may include:
- Medical records stating your injuries, the severity of them, and the treatment you required.
- Photographs of the injuries caused by the dog bites, such as any visible scarring.
- Any video evidence that may be available showing the dog attack, such as CCTV footage.
- Contact details of any witnesses. They could then provide a statement at a later date.
You can contact our team of advisors for more information on gathering evidence for a dog bite claim. Additionally, they may connect you with one of our solicitors who could assist you with gathering evidence.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Dog Bite Compensation?
According to the Limitation Act 1980, the time limit to begin a personal injury claim for a dog bite is 3 years. This commences from the date you suffered your injury.
However, the time limit may be paused in some circumstances. These circumstances apply if the person that was injured:
- Is under 18 years of age.
- Lacks the mental capacity required to manage a compensation claim.
While the time limit is paused, a litigation friend may be appointed to begin the claim on the injured person’s behalf. However, when the injured person either turns 18 or regains their mental capacity, and a litigation friend has not started a claim by this point, then the usual time limit will commence.
To learn more about the average payout for a dog bite in the UK, and to ensure that your potential claim is filed on time, please contact us.
What Is The Average Payout For A Dog Bite?
Payout amounts for successful dog bite claims can vary. If your claim results in compensation, this could come under two heads of loss; general damages and special damages.
General damages is the head of claim that compensates you for the suffering and pain you have endured because of your injuries. Those calculating general damages payouts for claims involving dog bites could look to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) for reference. This is a publication that provides guideline payout amounts for a range of injuries at different severities.
The table below contains some figures from the JCG as rough guidance. However, the first figure in the table is not from the JCG.
| Type of injury | Guideline compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with special damages. | Up to £250,000+ | Multiple serious injuries which can include both physical and mental injuries, plus special damages, such as loss of earnings, for example. |
| Severe psychiatric damage (a) | £66,920 to £141,240 | There will be a poor future prognosis. Various factors will play into how this is calculated. |
| Moderately severe psychiatric damage (b) | £23,270 to £66,920 | The anticipated future prognosis will be much better than the above category. |
| Moderate psychiatric damage (c) | £7,150 to £23,270 | The anticipated future prognosis will be much better than the above category. There will be a good degree of recovery over the long term. |
| Very severe facial scarring (a) | £36,340 to £118,790 | Applicable to younger claimants where there is severe disfigurement and psychological reaction. |
| Less severe facial scarring (b) | £21,920 to £59,090 | Substantial disfigurement and a serious psychological reaction. |
| Significant facial scarring (c) | £11,120 to £36,720 | The worst impact could be reduced with plastic surgery. |
| Less significant facial scarring (d) | £4,820 to £16,770 | Multiple small scars or a singular one that doesn't cause a severe reaction. |
| Scarring on the body | £9,560 to £27,740 | Lots of scars or a single disfiguring scar on the body. |
Special Damages
As well as general damages, you could receive compensation under special damages.
Special damages compensate for costs and financial losses caused by your injuries, which could include:
- Medical expenses – if you have incurred prescription costs or have had to pay for mobility aids, for example.
- Travel expenses – if you have incurred travel costs from getting to medical appointments or to meet your solicitor.
- Care costs – if you have had to pay for care at home because you couldn’t look after yourself because of your injuries.
- Lots of income – if you have lost out on earnings due to being unable to work because of your injuries.
You will have to evidence these costs and losses to include them within your claim. This could include payslips, invoices and bank statements.
To learn more about compensation payouts for such claims, or to get a personalised estimate, please contact an advisor
No Win No Fee Agreements And Dog Bite Claims
If you are eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation for a dog bite, you may be looking to get help from a solicitor. Solicitors can be useful in helping with dog bite claims, as they can assist with gathering evidence to support your case, as well as negotiating a compensation settlement on your behalf.
One of our No Win No Fee solicitors may offer to take on your claim under an arrangement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). If so, you would not typically have to pay them for their work upfront or while the claim is progressing. You also wouldn’t be expected to pay them for their services if the claim is unsuccessful.
Under the terms of the CFA, your solicitor would deduct a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation if your claim is a success. This percentage is known as a success fee.
To find out whether you could be eligible to make a claim with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors, you can contact our advisors. They can also help answer any questions you may have about the personal injury claims process. To connect with them today, you can:
- Call 0800 074 8801
- Contact us online to receive a callback.
- Use the live chat to speak with one of our advisors.
Helpful Resources On Dog Bite Claims
- Dog bite Compensation – Your Guide to Claiming – A definitive guide to claiming.
- NHS – What to do about bites – See here for more advice on treatment etc.
Thank you for reading this case study on personal injury claims payouts for a dog bite. Hopefully, we’ve explained what the average payout for a dog bite in the UK is. We could assess your case to see if you could claim. Or, if you’d like our help getting a dog bite payout, we’d be glad to help you.
