DOG BITE COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Dog Bite Compensation – Infants & Children

Dog bite compensation is often substantial especially in the case of infants who unfailingly seem to suffer horrendous facial injuries due to being allowed to play with dogs at floor level which the dog often perceives as an aggressive invasion of territory particularly when the child comes face to face with a dog which effectively feels threatened by close head to head contact. The next most common injury relates to an unprovoked attack, often by a large dog particularly if the victim has their own dog on a leash at the time, in a public or less frequently, a private place. Fatalities resulting from dog attacks are uncommon however in terms of actual biting incidents children are among the highest number of victims with the second highest risk groups unsurprisingly being postal workers and dog walkers.

Dog Bite Claims – Previous Aggression?

It is an unfortunate fact that even in the case of serious injury the law does not automatically ensure that those who have been aggressively assaulted are entitled to dog bite compensation or retribution in any other form. The popularly held notion that a dog gets its first bite ‘free’ is not exactly correct. If the dog that made the attack has never shown any signs of aggression whatsoever prior to a violent incident, a claim against its owner for failing to safeguard the public is unlikely to be successful. On the other hand, if the animal has shown any previous signs of aggressive behaviour, which does not necessarily need to have been an actual biting attack, then you could stand a significant chance at being successful in making a dog bite claim for compensation against the dog owner. An instance of previous aggressive behaviour can be just one instance of serious snarling that is seen as a precursor to an attack or bite notwithstanding the fact that the dog is controlled by its owner thereby precluding a dangerous incident. The snarling gives an indication of the dogs nature and likelihood of attacking if uncontrolled and the owner thereafter should take steps to ensure protection of the public which may involve muzzling or ensuring that the dog is never out in public or if out in public is leashed and fully controlled. Failure to control an aggressive dog in these circumstances can result in a successful dog bite compensation claim if the evidence of previous aggressive behaviour is available.

No Win No Fee Dog Bite Compensation Claims

If you or your child have suffered a dog bite injury, it is important that you know or find out the dog owner’s name and address and it may also be advisable to report the incident to the police. If the dog owner is covered by pet insurance or home and contents insurance then it is likely this will cover the payment of dog bite compensation made by agreement between your solicitor and the dog owners insurers or in the absence of agreement, awarded by the courts. Many solicitors offer a no win no fee service which minimises the individual’s financial risk however the no win no fee scheme offered by this firm goes much further and can be summed up as 'win or lose no charge - compensation paid in full'. If you use our claims service there is no financial risk whatsoever and you are paid 100% of your compensation with no deductions.