Dog Bite Claims & Compensation

We often take on claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay a penny. It also means you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront, which can ease financial stress.

We’ll always be clear and open about financial costs throughout, so there will never be any surprise costs.

Usually, you have 3 years from the date you got bitten/attacked to start your claim. However, if you have any complications or a condition that develops later as a result of the injury, the 3-year time limit will start when you’re diagnosed with this.

You can also make a claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to do so – there are no time limits on this.

Sadly, some dog attacks can be fatal – if you would like to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has passed away, we are here to help. Generally, the time limit on this is 3 years from the date they pass away.

We’d always advise you to get in touch as soon as possible to see what your legal rights are. It’s better to contact us early to give yourself the best chance at securing compensation, as we may ask you to hold onto evidence and do a couple of things on your side to help us strengthen your claim when it comes to it.

Under the Animals Act 1971, anyone who keeps animals can be found lawfully responsible for any harm or injury the animal causes to someone else.

This means that if a dog or other animal injures you, you may be able to make a claim for compensation against the owner. The law around this can be complex, but our experienced Personal Injury lawyers are experts in this field so we can advise you. Contact us for free legal advice on 0800 260 5010.

Some pet insurance policies include ‘Third Party Liability’, which can cover dog owners for claims like these.

In some circumstances, the dog owner may have household insurance which covers them for ‘public liability’ if they have caused an accident resulting in an injury to the member of the public (including dog bites/attacks)

If our investigations show that the owner is not insured, then it is more difficult to pursue a claim. You can make a claim against an individual, but we’d only recommend this if you know the person would have the financial means to pay anything the court might order them to.

In some limited circumstances, if you have your own home insurance, you may be covered by what is known as a ‘reverse indemnity clause’, so that if you claim against an individual who does not have the financial means to pay, you can claim via your own household insurers and your insurance would pay the damages.

If the dog attack is reported to and investigated by the police, and is deemed to be an intentional crime of violence, then you can make a claim via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

If a banned breed of dog has bitten you, you may have a strong chance of claiming for compensation. Not only is the owner breaking the law by owning the dog in question, but they’ve also been negligent by letting the dog cause harm to another person.

The Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in 1991 and involved banning the ownership, breeding, exchange and sale or four breeds of dogs in the UK:

• Pitbull Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro

It enforced all dog owners to register, insure, neuter, tattoo, and microchip their dogs.

Even if the dog was not a banned breed, you could still be eligible for compensation because dog owners have a legal responsibility to keep their dog under control. They must ensure their dog does not create public nuisance, and they’re responsible if their dog attacks another person.

Claiming compensation for a stray dog bite or attack can be more complicated. You could try and find the owner, but if you’ve been unable to, you may have grounds to claim against the council or anyone responsible for the public place where you were bit, e.g. in a park. You can also report a stray dog.

Call us on 0800 260 5010 and we’ll listen to your situation and use our expertise to tell you the best way forward.

Yes, in certain circumstances it’s possible to make a claim on behalf of a child or someone who does not have the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Sadly, children are particularly vulnerable to attacks by dogs, because of their height, natural inquisitiveness and perhaps not being as alert to the potential dangers of dogs. Babies and young infants can be particularly vulnerable, and the following accidents can happen:

• Dogs attacking a baby in pram or pushchair;
• Dogs jumping on a child;
• Dogs chasing and attaching a running child;
• Dogs attacking a child on the park.

You can make a claim for compensation on behalf of your child at any point when they’re under 18. Once they turn 18 they can make a claim themselves, but then a three-year time limit will apply, so they will have until their 21^st birthday to start the claim.

We can even help you set up a Personal Injury trust as the Court hold the compensation until your child turns 18.

Get in touch for free initial advice if you would like to make a claim on behalf of your child.