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Category: Animal Attacks

Claiming for Dog Attacks

Posted on by Jonathon

Dogs are the UK’s most popular choice of pet. Around 8.5 million of them happily live with families, and never do anything more aggressive than terrorise your slippers. Unfortunately, the number of dangerous dogs is rising and with it the number of dog attacks. There was a 75% rise of dog attacks in the past decade.

Dog Attacks

Claiming for Dog Attacks

Dog bites can cause both physical and psychological scars, including a lifelong fear of dogs. Children are particularly vulnerable; around 20% of all people who seek medical attention for a dog bite are under nine years old. You can claim compensation after a wound received from a stranger’s dog, or a working dog like a police dog.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, every person who owns or looks after a dog has a legal duty to ensure the people around it are safe from attack, whether actual or threatened, in both public and private areas. So, if you or your child has been bitten by a dog, then call The Compensation Experts. We will let you know if you are entitled to claim compensation and, if so, what to do next.

In some cases, you may not even have to prove that the owner of the dog was negligent. Dangerous species that are not domesticated in the UK are under the Animal Act 1971, meaning their inherently dangerous nature makes the owner responsible for all injuries regardless.

What Steps Should You Take if You Have Been the Victim of a Dog Attack?

If you have been the victim of a dog attack, then you will need to make a police statement. This, along with medical records and witness testimonies, will help you build a solid case against the owner. It is important to note that, though you can make a claim against owners, that you might not always get compensation, as most people are not insured in this way. 

Making a Claim on Behalf of a Child

Children are some of the most common victims of dog attacks. If a child is injured due to a dog attack, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. Any compensation would go into a trust until the child turns 18.

The time limits on making a claim also differ in cases involving a child. Usually in a personal injury claim, a person has three years to make a claim. However, in cases involving a child, the time limit is longer. A parent or guardian can claim for a child until they turn 18, and then the child has until they turn 21 to make a claim for themselves.

That being said, we recommend you make a claim as soon as possible after the accident.

How We Can Help with Dog Attacks

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes dog attack claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Understanding Animal Attacks Compensation Claims

Posted on by Jonathon

Animal attacks can occur anywhere, at any time. From dogs to even animals as docile looking as cows. These attacks can result in terrible physical injuries, psychological damage, and even death. Claiming compensation after such an attack is a smart move, as it will allow you the financial buffer necessary to pay for private rehabilitation and therapy. It will also be able to cover any income loss and be able to cover the cost of any aids you will need in the future.

You should never feel bad about claiming compensation, especially for a personal injury accident claim. You were the victim, but with animals, you need to ensure that there is a basis of negligence.

The Difference Between a Wild Animal Attack and a Domesticated Animal Attack

There are two main kinds of animal attacks you can suffer from. If you are in the wild, you might be attacked by an animal if you intrude on its territory or get in-between it and its offspring. In cities and human-owned and managed wildlife safaris, it is up to the owners to provide a safe environment for their guests.

Wild Animal Attack

You won’t be able to make a compensation claim if you are in, say, a national park and are attacked by an animal. The area is not supervised, and you accept the risks of using the area when you enter. They are wildlife reserves in most cases, with some of Britain’s national parks even categorised as a UN nature reserve. Instead, the animal in question might be put down.

Domesticated Animal Attack

Domesticated animals like household pets, livestock, and safari animals or zoo animals can all be put under one category. Namely, there are humans who own them and who have a legal responsibility to ensure these animals do not hurt other people. Zoos must keep their animals in specially created pens that protect their guests; safaris must also take measures to protect their guests, and so on. In this case, even if you were in Africa in a wild safari, if you were injured in an animal attack, the negligence could be placed on your tour guide or the tour company you were with.

When Can You Make a Compensation Claim?

You can make a compensation claim within three years of the attack. In some cases, this might be extended to three years after you were made aware of the issue, but extensions are rare for animal attacks.

It is important to note that in some cases you do not even have to prove that the owner or manager of the animal was negligent. Dangerous species that are not domesticated in the UK are under the Animal Act 1971, meaning their inherently dangerous nature makes the owner responsible for all injuries regardless.

What Steps Should You Take if You Have Been the Victim of an Animal Attack?

If you have been the victim of an animal attack, then you will need to make a police statement. This, along with medical records and witness testimonies, will help you build a solid case against the owner. It is important to note that, though you can sue owners, that you might not always get compensation, as most people are not insured in this way. You will get the most compensation from organisations or businesses.

To help solidify your case and get the compensation you deserve for your injury at work claim, then you will want to hire a lawyer experienced in these sorts of cases.