Dog Bite Claims: What to Do After a Dog Bite

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For hundreds of years, dogs have been known as a person’s best friend. Unfortunately, the relationship between humans and dogs isn’t always peaceful and there are instances when dogs can get aggressive. The truth is that these situations occur far more often than many people realize. There are about 500,000 dog bite incidents in Canada each year. That being said, suffering a dog bite can be a terrible experience that can have lasting effects on a person’s mental and physical health. Fortunately, victims of dog bites may have legal recourse. If you want to learn more about what you should do after being bitten by a dog, this article is for you. By acting early, you can help create the most positive outcome and alleviate some of the stress of the situation.

Seek Medical Attention

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If you (or someone you know) have been bitten by a dog, the first thing you should do is contact a medical professional. Dog bites often cause serious injuries that can result in long-term complications. The sooner you seek medical attention, the better chance you give yourself of making a full recovery. Even if the bite doesn’t seem that serious, it’s best to get the opinion of a trusted medical professional. Not only can this help give you peace of mind, but it can also be beneficial should the situation turn into a legal matter because a doctor will be able to properly document your injuries.

Get the Dog Owner’s Information

After a dog bite occurs, things can get hectic amidst the commotion. However, it’s essential that you try to remain as calm as possible so that you can properly document the incident and protect your legal interests. That being said, it’s very important that the dog owner’s information be recorded - much like you would after being involved in a car accident. You’ll want to get basic details such as the person’s name, phone number, and address. Having this information could come in handy down the line. It may also be beneficial to find out the breed of the dog.

Take Pictures of the Bite(s)

As mentioned earlier, it’s very important to document any evidence that pertains to the dog bite. Taking pictures of relevant injuries is one of the best ways to do this. Keep in mind that you may want to take pictures from different angles, and once you have the pictures, be sure to store them somewhere where they won’t be accidentally deleted. With photographs, it will be difficult for anyone to dispute your claim of being bitten. You may also want to see if there is anyone who witnessed the attack as their account of the events may be useful should you decide to take legal action, so obtain their contact information as well.

Contact a Lawyer Who Has Experience With Dog Bite Compensation in Canada

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Pet owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their animal(s) don’t cause harm to others. According to Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act, “The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal”. In fact, owners can still be held accountable if their dog attacks someone even if there was no biting involved. As a result, you may be entitled to file a claim for a dog bite, which could allow you to receive compensation from the dog’s owner. You should contact a personal injury lawyer who has worked on cases involving dog bites. An experienced lawyer will be able to assess the situation and give you a better understanding of what your rights are. In many cases, you will be able to file a dog attack insurance claim. At Carranza LLP, we can guide you through the process of filing a claim and what you should expect.

How Dog Bite Case Settlements Work

For many people, the thought of filing any kind of lawsuit can be overwhelming. Fortunately, working with a lawyer takes that pressure off you and can provide you a better understanding of what you’re entitled to under the guidelines of the law. There are some dog bite scenarios that will not be eligible for personal injury compensation. In general, however, those who have suffered a dog bite in Ontario, and other parts of Canada, may be able to sue the owner of the dog that bit them. As part of the lawsuit, you may be financially compensated for any injuries you sustained, including lost wages. This is why it’s important to collect as much information as possible so that it can be used to support your claim. Most dog bite personal injury claims are resolved through a settlement, but there are also instances where you may have to go to court. Our trusted team at Carranza LLP will be able to go over the details with you so you can fully understand the scope of your case.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Claim Worth?

Although we’ve already established that you may have a right to compensation after being bitten by a dog, you may be wondering just how much money you can get. The answer to that question varies, based on several factors such as the severity of the injury and whether or not it has impacted your ability to function as you did before the incident. Consequently, depending on the severity of the injuries, dog bite compensation in Canada is usually no less than $10,000. If your injuries are very serious, you could receive upwards of $100,000.