Dog Bite Solicitors — Scotland

Dog Bite Injuries 

Causes of dog bite injuries

Dogs can be very unpredictable in their behaviour towards other animals and humans, even if they’ve previously shown no signs of aggression.

Dogs are social animals by nature, with a well-defined pack hierarchy. When a dog doesn’t know where their place is within the human hierarchy, they will naturally try to assert themselves in the form of growling, barking or even biting.

While dogs can’t be judged by the same standards we apply to humans, when they suddenly turn aggressive, it is often due to a lack of care on the owner’s part.

Dog bite injury claims

Dog owners have a responsibility to monitor their dogs’ behaviour in public places and attend dog training classes to ensure that their dogs aren’t showing signs of aggression.

If you or someone you know has been attacked by a dog, then you may be able to claim compensation. This applies to dog attacks in public as well as inside the home. This would be against the dog’s owner or whoever was responsible for the animal at the time of the attack, for example, a dog walker.

Unfortunately, there are also people who encourage their dogs to be aggressive, which can result in serious physical and mental injuries.

At Watermans, we employ expert personal injury solicitors who are experienced in handling dog bite claims. Speak to one of us today to start your claim process.

Types of Dog Injury Claims  

Can I make a dog bite compensation claim?

If you’ve been bitten by a dog or suffered any type of injury caused by a dog, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. At Watermans, our personal injury lawyers have experience handling various dog bite cases and animal injury claims. We can help you if you have suffered from:

• Dog bites or attacks – If you have been bitten by a dog in a public place or on private property, such as someone’s home, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The most common injuries caused by dog bites include puncture wounds, scars, and even bone injuries, such as a broken arm.
• Children bitten by dogs – It’s particularly distressing when a child is the victim of a dog bite. Dog attacks on small children have far worse consequences due to a child’s small body size and weight, and they may suffer serious injuries, including permanent scarring. If your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog, we can help you make a compensation claim.
• Injuries caused by dangerous dogs – Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, certain dog breeds are classified as dangerous and need to be properly trained. If you have been injured by a dog covered by this legislation, you may have a stronger case for compensation.
• Injuries to tradespeople, delivery workers, or care staff – If you were bitten by a dog while working on private property, such as making a delivery or providing care services, you may be able to claim compensation from the owner of the dog.
• Road traffic accidents caused by dogs – If a dog has caused a road traffic accident, such as by running into the road and causing a cyclist or motorist to swerve or crash, you may be able to make a claim against the dog owner under the Animals Act 1971.
• Injuries caused by livestock – If a dog has frightened livestock, such as cows or horses, causing them to injure you, you may be able to make a claim against the owner of the dog.
• Criminal injuries caused by dogs – If you have been injured by a dog as a result of a criminal act, such as a deliberate attack where a person intentionally uses their dog to harm you, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
• Psychological injuries resulting from dog attacks – Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience, and you may be entitled to compensation for any psychological injuries you have suffered, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety.
• Fatal injuries caused by dog attacks – In rare cases, dog attacks can result in fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to a dog attack, we can help you make a claim for compensation.

Making a Claim

How do I make a dog bite injury claim?

The effects of a dog bite attack can be painful, long-lasting, and psychologically damaging.  If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a dog bite within the last three years, you may be able to claim compensation.

To ensure a successful claim, you may have to follow some of these steps:

• Seek medical attention – Immediately after the dog bite incident, seek medical support for your injuries. Not only is this crucial for your health, but your medical records will also serve as evidence in your claim. Keep track of any medical fees you incur, as these may be recoverable as part of your compensation.
• Gather evidence – In order to proceed with your claim, make sure you get the owner’s contact details and those of any witnesses. Take photographs of your injuries and the scene of the incident, if possible. If the dog bite was a result of a criminal offence, such as a deliberate attack, report the incident to the police and obtain a crime reference number.
• Report the incident – You should consider reporting the dog bite incident to the police, even if it was not a criminal offence, as this can also help the case of any potential future victims. It also establishes a record of the event.
• Follow the CICA process if your claim falls under criminal injuries – In cases where the dog bite was a result of a criminal act, your solicitor will also assist you in claiming criminal injury compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

At Watermans, we employ specialist personal injury solicitors who are experienced in handling dog bite claims. We offer straightforward legal advice, all whilst handling the legal side of things, so that you and your loved ones can concentrate on your recovery.

The majority of people who own a dog will have home insurance or dedicated pet insurance and if your dog bite compensation claim is successful, the pay-out should be from the dog owner’s insurance company.

How Much Compensation?

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

Compensation for dog attack accidents in Scotland is awarded on a case-by-case basis. The amount you could receive depends on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors, like loss of earnings.

It may be that you require reconstructive surgery and other medical procedures, which can be expensive and result in you missing work. Being off of work will then result in a loss of earnings for you and your family, and this can be claimed as compensation.

The compensation you may be entitled to includes: 

• Medical expenses – If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, you may require extensive medical treatment, including plastic surgery, rehabilitation, or therapy. You can claim compensation for all medical expenses related to your dog injuries.
• Lost wages – If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for your lost wages and any future loss of earnings due to the impact of the incident on your ability to work.
• Pain and suffering – You can claim compensation for the physical pain and emotional trauma you have experienced as a result of the dog bite or attack. This includes compensation for any long-term effects, such as scarring or PTSD.
• Travel expenses – If you have incurred travel costs while receiving medical treatment for your injuries, these can be included in your claim for financial compensation.
• Care and assistance – If you have required care and assistance from family members or professionals during your recovery, you can claim compensation for these costs.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers will assist you in gathering evidence to support your claim, including medical reports, witness statements, and documentation of any financial losses incurred as a result of the incident. We fully investigate each case we work on to make sure that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible for you.

Why Watermans?  

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my personal injury claim?

Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life.

Our expert personal injury team is committed to doing everything to make the claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover from your injuries as soon as possible and get your life back on track.

Trusted Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Accidents at work
• Public liability claims
• Road traffic accidents
• Fatal and serious injury claims
• Cases relating to abuse

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that if your dog bite claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.

Contact us today if you’ve been bitten by a dog due to someone else’s negligence. We’re here to help you make a dog attack claim and get the justice you deserve.