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Injury

Under UK dog bite law a claim will not succeed if the animal has not previously shown any aggressive tendencies. If the dog has previously bitten or displayed other aggressive tendencies in a previous incident, then the owner, keeper or handler may be liable to pay compensation for personal injury as a result of a subsequent attack. For the claim to be successful there should be evidence that the owner, keeper, or handler knew or should have known that the animal was dangerous and was likely to bite if it was not sufficiently controlled or restrained.

Due to their lack of experience children are more liable to be attacked and this unfortunate fact is borne about by the statistics. Over two-thirds of fatal attacks and over half of the wounds that require medical attention involve children making dog bites a leading cause of emergency admission of children to hospitals. Children’s playful tendencies and their small stature and the proximity of their faces to the dog increases the likelihood that facial injuries will occur.

Dog bite law has been considerably strengthened by The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Certain breeds are required to be muzzled when in public, registered on the Index of Exempted Breeds and micro-chipped, tattooed and insured. If dogs of such breeds are unregistered the Act states that they may be seized and destroyed. An attack by an exempted breed that causes injury can enable a successful claim for compensation to be made even if the dog has not shown previous signs of aggression.

The status of guard dogs should also be noted. Guard dogs are only legally active when they are accompanied on guarded premises by a competent dog handler or if the animal is secured and unable to move freely around the premises. Dog bite law indicates that the use of a guard dog is only legal if a visible warning notice is displayed clearly at the entrance to the premises.

Our specialist solicitors may be able to help you with a claim for compensation. Our solicitors in England and Wales are all members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts. Membership requires that solicitors and their firms display a high level of experience, knowledge and capability. We operate ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangements, and we assure you that any compensation you win will be paid in full without deductions. You are not required to fund your claim in any respect: you will not have to take out loans or insurance policies, nor pay medical report charges. Your claim will be risk-free and win or lose there is no charge.

Do not be subdued by an apology if you’ve been attacked by a dog; you may be owed more than this. You have a legal right to compensation and we can help you exercise it. We provide a service that is responsive, professional and centred on you, the client. Our lawyers representation is vigorous and committed, and undertaken to ensure that you receive the maximum damages available for your injury and any associated losses. We provide free consultations to give you clear and unequivocal advice on the whether you have a good case, how much compensation you stand to gain, and information on the process of claiming. We will also offer full information on our ‘no win no fee’ arrangements. Should you decide not to take matters further following your discussions with us, then you are free not to do so: you will be under no obligation, and you will not be charged any costs.

To arrange a discussion with an expert solicitor about risk-free compensation claims, simply complete and send the contact form or use the helpline. A specialist who deals exclusively in personal injury compensation claims will call to provide you with free advice and information with no obligation.