If you’re looking for information on making a claim for personal injury compensation after a dog bite, this guide can help. Dog bite claims can be made against those responsible for the animal. They could be liable to compensate you for the physical, emotional and financial harm caused.
Key Takeaways In Dog Bite Claims
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) states that dog bites have increased by 154% from 1999 to 2019 even though the ownership and breeding of certain animals is prohibited.
- Owners and companies who are responsible for dogs kept as pets or guard animals could be liable to compensate you for injuries caused if you’re bitten.
- Evidence can help strengthen a claim for compensation after a dog bite. This guide details what you can submit.
- You could qualify to launch a claim on behalf of your child.
- Our solicitors can provide outstanding legal support via a type of No Win No Fee contract which frees you from worrying about the immediate legal costs of starting dog bite claims.
Please continue reading to learn more. Or, you can:
- Call us on 0800 073 8801 to discuss your dog bite compensation claim.
- Filling in our online contact form
- Messaging us through our 24/7 chat facility at the bottom of this screen.
Select A Section
- Can I Make A Dog Bite Claim?
- Myths About Dog Bite Claims
- What To Do If You’ve Been Bitten By A Dog
- Dog Bite Injuries
- My Child Was Bitten By A Dog, Can I Claim For Them?
- Compensation In Dog Bite Claims
- Pursue Dog Bite Compensation With Accident Claims
- More Information
Can I Make A Dog Bite Claim?
Being eligible to launch dog bite claims for compensation rests upon proving the following:
- The owner or organisation responsible for the dog owed you a duty of care.
- This duty was breached and the dog bit you.
- You can prove this caused you physical and/or psychological injuries.
A duty of care is a responsibility placed on others to protect you from encountering harm. In public places, the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 requires that reasonable actions need to be carried out by those in charge of an area. They must implement the necessary steps to protect the general public from being harmed while lawfully on their premises.
You may not be aware of whose dog bit you, in which case it could be possible to make a compensation claim via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). One of our solicitors could help you with this. If you’d like assistance in understanding whether your claim after a dog bite is eligible, simply call, email or ask live chat a question below.
Banned Dog Breeds
Currently, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the ownership and breeding of the following dogs is prohibited:
- Pit Bull Terriers
- XL Bullies
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
- Japanese Tosa
The RSPCA provides information on the current status of dog breeds such as these. Potentially, you could have a claim for compensation if you were bitten by these animals under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Call for further impartial guidance.
Myths About Dog Bite Claims
It can be a frequent misconception that a personal injury claim for a dog bite must involve a dangerous or banned dog. You could still have a claim if injured by a domestic pet, even if the injury is minor. Also, minor or moderate psychological distress after a dog bite can be valid grounds to claim, alongside physical injury or in its own right.
The owner of any dog is responsible for ensuring the animal maintains an even temperament in public. Therefore, if you feel that you can show how any dog attacked you unprovoked and caused injury, you could have a viable claim. Speak to us first to be sure.
What To Do If You’ve Been Bitten By A Dog
Dog bites vary on the size and strength of the animal involved. Many dogs give a ‘playful nip’ when excited or nervous, but other breeds are capable of causing a severe mauling. It’s important to note that the attitude of the owner can play a large part in their dog’s behaviour. The following are actions you can take after a dog bite:
- Seek medical attention for your injuries.
- Consult a professional about the need for a tetanus shot or other emergency procedure.
- Be alert to potential evidence of who was to blame for the dog attack, (understandably, in the turmoil of a dog attack this may not be your immediate focus).
- Seek legal representation.
Evidence to help dog bite compensation claims can include the following:
- Photos of your visible injuries and damaged clothing.
- Photos or footage of the dog, where it was kept or how it escaped.
- Copies of your medical records about the injury.
- Prescription receipts for medications, such as tetanus shots or any painkillers.
- The contact details of any eyewitnesses. Witnesses can be contacted at a later date for a supporting statement.
- CCTV camera footage that filmed the dog attack.
- A copy of the microchipping device details from the dog owner.
- Any park warden reports if the dog bite took place in a park.
In the hands of a skilled personal injury solicitor, evidence like this could maximise the potential compensation you are awarded. Contact our advisors with any questions about gathering evidence and they will be happy to help.
Dog Bite Injuries
The following injuries can be commonly associated with dog attacks:
- Puncture wounds to the skin.
- Scar damage and soft tissue injury.
- Hands, arms, face and eye injuries.
- Leg and foot soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage.
- Deeper lacerations and degloving of flesh.
- Psychological injury (such as post-traumatic stress disorder).
- A combination of these injuries occurs.
It may also be possible to suffer injury trying to escape from the dog. For example, if one has bitten and chased a person who then runs in front of a car, they could be involved in a road traffic accident. Whatever the severity of your dog bite injuries, speak to us if you need to start a claim.
My Child Was Bitten By A Dog, Can I Claim For Them?
Minors are unable to claim personal injury compensation themselves. Often, the courts will allow for a parent or guardian to claim for them. This role is known as a litigation friend and it allows a responsible adult to submit an immediate case for compensation on the child’s behalf.
This is particularly useful when funds are required urgently for medical treatment and aftercare. Minors are also exempt from the standard three-year time limit to launch a claim laid out in the Limitation Act 1980. However, if a litigation friend doesn’t act on their behalf, the personal injury claims three-year time limit will start on the injured party’s 18th birthday. We can offer guidance in person about claiming on behalf of someone else if you get in touch.
Compensation In Dog Bite Claims
The amount of compensation you can claim is typically guided by the following:
- The extent and severity of your physical and psychological injuries.
- The associated financial losses.
- What permanent or long-term repercussions were caused.
Successful dog bite compensation claims are frequently comprised of two categories of loss called general and special damages. General damages apply compensation for the physical pain the person suffered, as well as any psychological harm from the incident. It may also apply a figure for the loss of life quality and any permanent disability inflicted upon the person.
Those responsible for calculating general damages often look at medical evidence to determine the severity of the injuries suffered along with the prognosis. In addition to this, they might consult publications such as the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
This lists an index of award guideline amounts as they relate to various injuries from previous successful claims in England and Wales. It lists them in order of severity as our excerpt below illustrates. Please note that the figure provided in the first entry is not from this publication.
Compensation Guidelines
| INJURY | SEVERITY? | AWARD GUIDELINES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple forms of serious injury and special damages. | Serious | Up to £250,000 plus. | An award this sizeable incorporates several types of serious injury in addition to lost income and medical expenses under special damages. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | (a) Severe | £73,050 up to £122,850 | Permanent types of trauma impact that radically damage the person's quality of life and prevent normal coping. |
| (b) Moderately Severe | £28,250 up to £73,050 | This category is different from the bracket above because professional counselling has helped with the more severe effects. | |
| Facial Disfigurement | (a) Very Severe Scarring | £36,340 up to £118,790 | Injuries normally affecting younger people (under 30) who experience a severe psychological reaction. |
| (b) Less Severe Scarring | £21,920 up to £59,090 | Substantial levels of disfigurement and where a significant psychological reaction occurs. | |
| (c) Significant Scarring | £11,120 up to £36,720 | Claims where plastic surgery performed has helped mitigate the worst effects and any initially acute psychological reaction has faded. | |
| Hand | (d) Amputation of Index and Middle Fingers and/or Ring Fingers. | £75,550 up to £110,750 | Instances of loss to the three main fingers which then renders the hand little or no use with a weakened grip. |
| (b) Serious Damage to Both Hands | £68,070 up to £103,200 | Injuries which create permanent lost function as well as cosmetic damage. | |
| Foot | (e) Serious | £30,500 up to £47,840 | Injuries that create continuing pain and can increase the risk of future arthritis. |
| Scarring To Other Areas of the Body | Noticeable | £9,560 up to £27,740 | Noticeable scarring lacerations to one or both the limbs and the torso or one significant scar. |
Importantly, the bracket amounts shown above are strictly guidelines as they might relate to dog bite injuries. Each personal injury claim will have factors that make it unique. Bearing this in mind, it’s a good idea to consult with one of our team members to obtain a more precise, personalised estimate.
What About The Financial Impacts?
A serious dog bite can cause far-reaching financial problems as well. For example, if the bite severed tendons in your hand, you may be unable to work and earn a living as you did before. Under special damages, associated financial impacts can be reimbursed. You will always need to present evidence of these out-of-pocket expenses and losses, and the following may apply:
- Evidence of medical treatment costs for any private care needed (such as scar treatment or psychotherapy for the trauma).
- Receipts and invoices for any sums paid to others for domestic help (like cooking and cleaning while you recover).
- Tickets and receipts for essential travel.
- Payslips that prove your income was negatively impacted.
- Proof of additional costs to care for any dependants.
The knock-on effects of dog attack injuries can cause permanent disability. With this in mind, our solicitors can calculate an amount of compensation that will reflect any financial losses in the future. Why not see if they could help you with dog bite claims today and ensure you put forward the most thorough claim?
Pursue Dog Bite Compensation With Accident Claims
Our accident claims solicitors frequently help people start a personal injury claim without adding to their financial burden. They do this by providing their services under a type of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This offers a wide range of advantages to the person who is seeking damages. For example, there are:
- No solicitors fees to pay upfront.
- No solicitors fees as work on the dog bite claim develops.
- Fees for completed solicitors services don’t apply if the claim outcome is unsuccessful.
- If the claim succeeds, your solicitors deduct a nominal percentage from the compensation as their success fee.
- Importantly, there is a legal limit on this which can be agreed in advance. The person claiming will always benefit first and foremost from the successful settlement.
Making an agreement like this with one of our dog bit solicitors allows you to take advantage of excellent legal support at no cost to you until the outcome of the claim is known. You can concentrate on your recovery, safe in the knowledge that your dog bite injury claim is being handled by experts. Why not call our advisors to see if they could take advantage of:
- A thorough and complete calculation of the compensation owed to you.
- Expert guidance with collecting evidence.
- Regular updates on the status of your dog bite injury claim.
- A professional and streamlined claims process from start to finish.
Contact Us
Find out more right now about dog bite claims:
- Call us on 0800 073 8801 to discuss your dog bite compensation claim.
- Fill in our online contact form
- Message us through our 24/7 chat facility at the bottom of this screen.
More Information
In addition to guidance on dog bite claims, these other links offer further helpful information:
- This guide looks at public liability claims after injury in public places.
- Here we look at typical compensation for injuries like an amputation of the toe which may be a feature of dog bites.
- Also, read our guide to the Pre-action Protocol, which are steps required when seeking personal injury compensation.
External help after dog bites
- Read details on certain dog breeds and controlling the dog in public.
- NHS advice after a dog bite.
- In addition to this, Ask the Police for dangerous dog advice.
In conclusion, thank you for your interest in our guide about how much compensation may apply in dog bite claims. Our advisory team is ready to assist with any other questions or queries you have about the dog bite claims process.
