Being bitten by a dog can be a terrifying experience, and can leave you not just physically injured, but anxious and fearful around dogs in the future.
Dog owners are legally obligated to make sure their dogs don’t hurt people, so if you or a family member have been attacked or bitten by a dog and have suffered as a result, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for your injuries.
What do I need to do after a dog bite accident?
We understand that being in an accident can be traumatising and making a claim for compensation might seem daunting. However, winning compensation for someone else’s negligence can play a key role in getting your life back on track, enabling you to access any medical treatment or rehabilitation you need, adjust your home and lifestyle, and offsetting any loss in income over the short or long term.
Certain breeds of dogs are banned in the UK, and being bitten by one of these breeds could increase the grounds of your claim. For example:
• Pit Bull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero
• XL Bully
We might ask for some information to help process your claim. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything at first – there might be other ways that we can get the details:
• The breed of the dog
• The name and address of the dog owner that was responsible for your accident and if possible, the name of their pet insurer
• Names and contact details of any witnesses to the accident
• If possible, photographs of where the accident happened as well as photographs of your injuries
• A description of the position and movements of the dog involved in the accident
We can help you secure the resources you need, whether that means medical treatment, financial
compensation, or both. We provide a comprehensive dog bite accident claims service, including operating on a no win, no fee basis. We have helped many victims and their families throughout the claims process and are ready to support you during this tough time.
Our experienced team are on hand to guide you every step of the way, and we will be sure to manage your circumstances with the utmost sensitivity.
FAQs
The compensation you can claim for will depend on the accident and how your injuries have affected you. We will make every effort to understand the effects of the accident to get you the compensation you deserve. There are several factors considered before an offer is made, for example:
• Your personal injury – the nature of your injuries and any physical pain and suffering because of the accident.
• If your injuries meant you were unable to work, you can claim for loss of earnings.
• If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you can claim for compensation to reflect the difficulties you may face at work. This includes a lack of promotions, pension entitlement, etc.
• If your family members helped care for you due to your injuries, this is factored into the compensation amount.
If you are successful in your claim, the settlement is covered by the dog owner’s pet insurance. If the dog belongs to an employer or company, for example a security company – the claim will be covered by the employer’s liability insurance.
If the dog owner doesn’t have insurance or its owner is untraceable, you could still file a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Our expert team at Gildeas Solicitors can help explain this process and get you the right support.
It’s not an automatic decision and will depend on the situation, particularly if the dog has a history of aggressive behaviour. However, this should not deter you from making a claim if you are bitten.
Why choose Gildeas Solicitors?
We understand the importance of keeping you up to date throughout all stages of the claims process. Our dedicated New Claims hotline is based in Glasgow, meaning we can respond to you more quickly.
By choosing Gildeas, you benefit from access to our In-House Counsel of topline legal professionals. We’re committed to providing you with only the highest standard of legal representation.
We’re experts in personal injury law. Our solicitors are accredited specialists in personal injury by the Law Society of Scotland, the regulatory body for lawyers.
As a modern firm, we understand how hectic life can be, especially after an accident. Our streamlined claims process means we can correspond in a way that suits you – whether it’s by phone or email, video link, or by visiting you at home or in hospital.
CONTACT USWhether you or someone you know was attacked by a dog, we’ll act quickly to make sure your compensation claim is as hassle-free as possible. If you’re interested in making a compensation claim for a dog bite accident, reach out to us today for a confidential discussion.
Gildeas Solicitors is a recognised law firm specialising in personal injury claims, supporting you throughout Scotland from our offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We’re passionate about what we do, whilst putting our clients’ interests first. That’s why we make personal injury personal. Considering our services? Call our dedicated New Claims team today on 0141 331 6070.
