Personal Injury Law

Animal Attacks

Personal Injury Law

Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

In the event of a dog bite or animal attack, you should know that you are legally entitled to seek compensation for damages from the animal’s owner. Canadian law generally favours the victim in such cases. Dog bites have become too common in Canada these days, with the majority of victims being children below the age of 10. Children often act or behave unpredictably around dogs, including pulling their ear or tail, leading to dog bites. However, the law is more concerned about the injury of the victim rather than finding out whose fault or negligence caused the attack in the first place. In such cases, our Dog Bite Injury lawyers can help you with getting compensation from the owner that you are entitled to.

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Things to do immediately after a dog bite

Get medical assistance.

As with any other injury, you need to get medical assistance immediately. You can do some basic first aid, like cleaning the wound with an antiseptic or soap and water and applying a bandage on the wound. Even in the case of a minor bite or scratch on the skin, it is better to consult medical professionals to make sure that it will not lead to an infection. It is important to get tested for rabies or any other infections. If the doctor advises you to take a vaccine or antibiotics, make sure that you take the full course of the prescribed medication. For example, if you are supposed to take the second shot of the anti-rabies vaccine after a couple of weeks, then make sure to take it without fail.

Get details of the dog and the owner.

You need to find out who the dog belongs to. Make sure to obtain the name, contact information, and address of the dog owner. Contact the owner and get the medical records of the dog, like the vaccination records, history of any infections or diseases, and, most importantly, the anti-rabies vaccination details. Try not to get into any arguments or blame games with the owner. These things are best handled legally through your lawyer. Just remember to document your conversations with the owner. If they have an insurance policy covering dog bites, they might provide you with the details. Also, try to find out under whose care the dog was at the time of the attack. If the dog was being looked after by a friend of the owner or a dog sitter, then that person also becomes a defendant in the case. If the dog is owned by a minor child, then the parent is held liable under the law.

Document everything related to the incident.

It is important to document everything from the start. Take pictures of the wound, the site where the attack happened, and the dog. Make a note of the date and time of the incident and any other details of importance, like whether the dog was on a leash at all or if it broke itself from the leash before the attack. These details are important in holding the owner accountable for the poor supervision of their pet. Remember to collect the names and contact details of the witnesses who were at the site and saw the whole thing.

Report the matter to the appropriate authorities.

You must report the matter immediately to the local authorities, like the animal control agency and the public health department. Please note that these agencies are responsible for keeping track of dangerous animals in your neighbourhood, and it is important that they are informed about such incidents as and when they occur. For example, as per their records, if the dog has bitten multiple people in the past, the authorities might be forced to take strict action against the owner, including fines or putting the dog down to prevent possible attacks on others in the future.

How can our Dog Bite Injury lawyer help you?

Checking the legal validity of your claim.

Let’s say you were not bitten by the dog but got injured because you fell when the dog charged at you. You can still proceed to file your claim against the dog owner for the damages. At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the dog owner to properly supervise their pets to ensure that others are not harmed by the animal. The law clearly holds the owner accountable for any harm caused by the pet. This is why you need to consult with a Personal Injury lawyer right away. An experienced Dog Bite Injury lawyer will explain your rights and advise you on the best way to proceed with your legal action.

Fighting for a good compensation package for you

A serious dog bite injury might cost you many days or weeks away from your work until you make a full recovery. You will have to pay for your medical expenses and take a full course of antibiotics or vaccines to prevent infections. All your financial costs, like medical expenses, lost earnings, and any other expenses you incurred because of the injury, might be reimbursed in the event of a successful litigation. You will also be compensated for the pain and suffering, mental trauma, scarring, or disability caused by the incident. Your lawyer will make sure that your claim covers your future medical care needs as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue the pet owner for the dog bite?

Yes. Canadian law holds the owner of the pet liable for the injuries caused by the pet. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you got attacked when trespassing on your neighbour’s property without any criminal intentions, you can still sue the pet owner for damages. But the liability of the pet owner will be significantly reduced. On the other hand, if the victim was trespassing on the pet owner’s property with the intention of vandalism or theft, or if he ignored the warning sign about the dog on the premises, such dog bite injury claims are likely to be rejected. At Nanda and Associate Lawyers, our Personal Injury Lawyers can help you assess the validity of your claim and fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available under law.

I was chased by my neighbour’s dog. I fell and got injured. Can I sue the pet owner for the damages?

Yes. An animal attack does not necessarily have to be a direct bite from the animal. If you fell and got injured when the dog was charging at you or chasing you, that is also considered an animal attack legally. You have a valid personal injury claim for damages against the pet owner in such a case. Under the law, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to restrain or supervise the pet properly to prevent such incidents. Connect with our personal injury lawyers to proceed with your claim against the pet owner for damages.

What are the different levels of dog bite injuries?

This is a reference to the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale, which classifies dog bite injuries into six levels based on the seriousness of the victim’s injuries. These are as follows:

Level 1: The dog growls, charges, or chases the person, but there is no actual contact with the victim.

Level 2: The dog attacks the victim, and there is actual contact resulting in minor bruises or scratches, but there are no puncture wounds.

Level 3: The attack results in minor injuries and bruises that puncture the skin. But the injuries are of a less severe nature, requiring only minor medical treatment.

Level 4: The attack results in deep wounds requiring medical intervention.

Level 5: The attack results in multiple bites, resulting in deep wounds and serious tissue damage.

Level 6: This refers to a fatal injury caused by a dog bite. This happens only in rare cases. While the Dunbar scale is widely used to assess the injuries in dog bite cases, it is worth noting that it is not part of the legal framework.

How much compensation can I claim for my dog bite injury?

This depends entirely on the particular circumstances of the case, and it is not possible to generalize the amount of compensation. The final compensation amount will depend on the nature of the victim’s injuries and their impact on their life. For example, there have been cases where dog bite injuries have resulted in disfigurement or disability of the victim. In such cases, the court will also take into consideration the victim’s loss of earning potential before deciding on the final compensation amount. Our personal injury lawyers at Nanda and Associate Lawyers will help you assess the appropriate compensation amount for your claim.

Can I get rabies from the bite of a vaccinated dog?

If the dog was already vaccinated, there is less chance of rabies transmission from the bite. But the possibility of transmission cannot be completely ruled out. Vaccination, while providing significant protection, is not 100% effective. Also, an outdated vaccination of the dog might not offer any protection after all. It is best to seek immediate medical attention and ensure that you receive the necessary anti-rabies medication without fail to prevent the transmission of rabies.

What will happen to my pet if it is declared dangerous in the dog bite case?

Depending on the severity of the injury and frequency of the reported cases, the court will require the pet owner to take measures to prevent such attacks in the future. You will have to ensure that the dog is always restrained and kept on a leash when it is outside the premises. In serious cases, the dog will be temporarily quarantined and retrained before it is released back to the owner. In extreme cases, if the dog is found to be posing a serious danger to others, it may be ordered to be euthanized.

Do I need a personal injury lawyer for my dog bite claim?

Yes. It is highly recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your dog bite injury case from the beginning. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you assess the validity of your claim and the appropriate compensation amount, depending on the circumstances of your case. He can also build a strong case by gathering the necessary evidence, such as CCTV footage, statements from witnesses, and testimonies from experts, such as the medical professionals who treated you. At Nanda and Associate Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers can provide you with the legal guidance and assistance required in your case.