If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog because the owner or handler failed to keep it under control, you may be eligible to make a dog bite claim for compensation. Dog attacks can cause serious physical injuries, scarring and psychological harm, and we are here to help if you decide to take action.
Initially, we’ll discuss your case with you during a no-obligation consultation. You can ask questions, explain how you got bitten and receive free advice about your options. If your claim appears to have a realistic chance of success, we could connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our team.
To find out if you could claim compensation for a dog bite, please call us today on 0800 6524 881. To learn more before contacting our team, please read on.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Dog Bite Claim?
- Common Causes Of Dog Bite Claims
- Common Injuries Caused By Dog Attacks
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Dog Bite?
- Evidence To Support A Dog Bite Injury Claim
- Time Limits For Claiming Dog Bite Compensation
- How Long Does A Dog Bite Claim Take?
- Do I Need A Personal Injury Solicitor To File A Dog Bite Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Dog Bite Claims Process
Am I Eligible To Make A Dog Bite Claim?
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, dog owners and people in charge of dogs must keep them under proper control. If they fail to do so and somebody is bitten or attacked, a compensation claim may be possible.
Generally, to be eligible to make a dog bite claim, you will need evidence to prove:
- You were bitten or attacked by somebody else’s dog;
- The dog’s owner or handler failed to keep it under proper control; and
- You suffered an injury as a result.
To check your eligibility to claim for a dog bite, contact us for a free consultation with an advisor.
Common Causes Of Dog Bite Claims
There are various common scenarios where an incident can lead to a dog bite claim, including:
- Being bitten by a dog that was not properly controlled in a park or public place.
- A dog escaping from a property and attacking somebody nearby.
- A delivery driver or post person being bitten while lawfully entering a property.
- A child being bitten by a dog that was off its lead or not being supervised properly.
- Being attacked by a guard dog at an event, business premises or private property.
Not every dog bite will lead to a compensation claim, so if you’re unsure where you stand, contact our team, and we’ll check your options for free.
Common Injuries Caused By Dog Attacks
Some common injuries from dog attacks include:
- Bite wounds.
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Puncture wounds.
- Nerve damage.
- Bruises and soft tissue damage.
- Facial scars.
- Finger injuries.
- Infections.
- Psychological injuries.
In some cases, a dog attack may also involve a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is more likely where the dog was deliberately used to attack somebody.
How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Dog Bite?
There isn’t a fixed amount of compensation for a dog bite claim. The amount you could receive will depend on the injuries you suffered and how they have affected your life. For example, a minor bite that heals quickly will usually be worth less than a serious dog attack that causes permanent facial scarring.
The factors that solicitors and insurers will use to calculate compensation payouts for a dog bite include:
- The level of pain and suffering caused by the dog attack.
- If you’ve been left with any permanent scarring, and, if so, where on the body.
- If your injuries will affect you in the long-term, e.g., if you’re left with reduced grip following nerve damage in the hand.
- Whether you’ve incurred financial losses because of your injuries.
- The cost of your treatment (if private healthcare is required).
- Prescription costs or the cost of over-the-counter medicine.
- Any lost earnings.
- Travel costs.
Please call today if you’d like us to review how much compensation you could claim for a dog bite.
Dog Bite Compensation Calculator
If your dog bite claim is successful, the amount awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity may be assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines. Therefore, we’ve used figures from the guidelines in our dog bite claim calculator below.
If you decide to sue for a dog bite, we can help you work out what your claim might be worth on a no-obligation basis. If you speak with one of our advisors, they’ll give free legal advice and let you know if one of our solicitors could represent you.
Evidence To Support A Dog Bite Injury Claim
If a dog has bitten you, you should seek medical advice and follow the NHS guidance on cleaning and treating the wound. Once you are safe, you can start gathering evidence to support a dog bite injury claim. For example:
- Keep copies of any medical records relating to the dog bite. These could show the extent of your injuries and any treatment needed, such as antibiotics, stitches or a tetanus injection.
- If it is safe to do so, ask for the dog owner’s name, address and contact details.
- Make a note of the dog’s breed, colour, size and any other identifying features.
- Report the incident to the police, especially if the dog was dangerously out of control or the owner refuses to provide their details.
- Take a photograph of the dog, but only if you can do so safely.
- Ask for the contact details of any witnesses who saw what happened.
- If you were bitten in a public place, such as a park, report the incident to the local council dog warden or the event organiser if it happened at a public event.
- Check whether the area is covered by CCTV and ask for a copy of any footage.
- Photograph your dog bite injuries as they heal, and keep any clothing damaged during the attack.
Once you have as much evidence as possible, call our team to see how we can help with making a dog bite injury claim. Our assessment of your case is free, and there is no obligation to claim. If your case is suitable, we could appoint a No Win No Fee solicitor to your case.
Time Limits For Claiming Dog Bite Compensation
The time limit for starting a dog bite compensation claim is usually 3 years from the date of the bite. However, this can sometimes vary, so it’s sensible to contact us and check. For example, where a child was bitten by a dog, the 3-year limit usually starts on their 18th birthday, although a litigation friend could claim on their behalf before then.
If the dog attack involved a criminal act, a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority may be possible instead. CICA claims usually have a 2-year time limit, and the incident must be reported to the police before you apply. You’ll usually be asked for details such as the police force and crime reference number, so it’s important to report the attack as soon as possible.
How Long Does A Dog Bite Claim Take?
Dog bite claims can be resolved fairly quickly if the dog owner or business admits liability straight away. Where that happens, claims can take a matter of months. However, if more evidence and an investigation are required, evidence is hard to come by, or the other party is not agreeing to a fair settlement, compensation claims can take well over a year.
Essentially, each claim is unique, so it’s not possible to predict exactly how long a dog bite claim will take to settle without all the relevant details. However, by speaking with an experienced personal injury solicitor on our team, they may be able to advise you on the likely timeline based on your specific circumstances.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Solicitor To File A Dog Bite Claim?
No, there’s no legal requirement to use a solicitor to make a dog bite claim. However, these claims can be difficult if the dog owner denies responsibility, there is limited evidence, or the injuries are more serious than they first appeared.
Whether you make a personal injury claim for a dog bite or a criminal injury claim after a deliberate attack, you’ll need evidence to show what happened, who was responsible and how you were affected. A solicitor can help gather medical records, witness statements, photographs, CCTV footage and any other evidence needed to support your case.
They can also deal with the other side or their insurer, value your dog bite claim properly and negotiate on your behalf. This can help reduce the risk of accepting a settlement that does not reflect the full impact of your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about dog bite claims.
Should I report a dog bite to the police?
It’s often sensible to report a dog bite to the police, especially if the dog was dangerously out of control, the owner won’t give you their details, or the attack was serious. If you later make a claim, a police reference number may help support your case.
Can I claim if a dog bit my child?
A parent, guardian or another suitable adult may be able to claim dog bite compensation on behalf of a child as a litigation friend. If no claim is made before the child turns 18, they will usually have 3 years from their 18th birthday to start their own claim.
Can I claim for scarring after a dog bite?
Yes, dog bite compensation can include scarring, especially when it is permanent or visible. The amount awarded will depend on factors such as where the scar is, how severe it is and how it affects your life.
What if the dog owner says the attack was my fault?
You may still be able to claim if the dog owner or handler was partly responsible for the dog attack. However, if you were to be found partly at fault, any compensation awarded could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
Can I claim if a dog attacked me but did not bite me?
A claim may still be possible if you were injured during a dog attack, even if there was no bite. For example, you might have been knocked over by the dog and suffered a concussion or fracture, or injured while trying to escape the dog.
Starting The Dog Bite Claims Process
To start a dog bite claim, call our team today on 0800 6524 881. We’ll talk through what happened, answer your questions and give you free advice about whether you may have grounds to claim.
If your case appears to have a realistic chance of success, we could connect you with a No Win No Fee personal injury solicitor from our team. They’ll review your dog bite claim in full before it is filed, so your injuries, financial losses and any long-term effects are properly considered.