close
Animals

Should I File a Compensation Claim for an Animal Attack?

In the UK, dog attacks are fairly common. In fact, between May 2010 and 2011, 6120 individuals were admitted to hospitals for dog attack-related injuries. While many dog attacks are preventable, most attacks are due to negligence on the part of the dog owner. If you have sustained injuries from a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation.

There are many reasons you should receive compensation. If you sustained an injury, you likely had medical bills, had to take time off work, and more. Even when a dog bite or injury is small, it’s important to visit a medical centre, because animals have many harmful bacteria that thrive in their mouths. If your loved one or child has sustained an attack, you’re not alone. One in six attacks involves a child under 10, which is concerning.

Dog bites are classified as a personal injury. While dogs like rottweiler and pit bulls are frequently the dog bite cases we hear about in the media, all breeds and sizes of dog can attack and cause serious physical injury. However, based on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo argentinos, and fila brazilieros are considered more dangerous than other breeds.

In order to receive compensation, you’ll need to prove that the owner of the dog that attacked you knew or should have known about how aggressive and dangerous their dog is, and how it was liable for the attack. Your case will be strengthened if you have knowledge about instances of past aggression exhibited by the dog in question.

If you are a victim of a dog attack and the owner cannot be found, you can still file for compensation. You’ll be able to file under Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), as the unknown owner should have kept the dog under proper control.

When you file with the right compensation solicitors, you won’t face any fees if you don’t win. So, moving ahead with a filing is a win-win situation for you. Below are a few of the reasons you should file for compensation. Dog-related attacks and injuries can be upsetting, painful, and costly, and you deserve compensation for what happened to you. It is also important to file in order to have the dog correctly assessed so it doesn’t harm other individuals in the future.

Medical Bills

Medical bills can be high, especially for emergency visits for situations and injuries, such as dog bites. You should receive compensation for any medical-related costs for dog bites from dogs that you do not own.

Time off Work

You may have had to miss or take time off work for your injury. The cost of your lost wages can also be offset with potential compensation.

Emotional Distress

Dog attacks can leave you with emotional scarring from the traumatic event, especially in the case of severe dog attacks. You can receive compensation for the emotional toll the attack may have caused you.

Responsibility

If you decide to file a case, the dog in question can be brought in to be assessed. If the dog is found to be aggressive, the correct measures can be put into place to ensure that the dog doesn’t attack any other individuals in your community.