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Dog Bite Solicitors & Dog Bite Compensation Claims

 

Dog bite claims are a way for those injured by a dog attack to claim compensation for their injuries. In 2022, there were almost 22,000 injuries reported across the UK caused by out-of-control dogs, and if you have been injured by a dog you could be able to claim compensation.

The specialist Dog Bite Solicitors here at Lanyon Bowdler have vast experience of dealing with claims relating to dog bite injuries, helping clients get financial compensation to help cover any medical fees, loss of earnings and rehabilitation costs.

Affectionately known as man’s best friend, dogs are very much part of our society. Although the exact figure isn’t known, the RSPCA estimates that there are 10.2 million dogs in the UK.

While most dogs are well-behaved family pets that pose little or no threat to people; it’s inevitable that from time-to-time incidents involving canines and the general population will occur.

Statistics show that dog bites and dog attacks are the two most common types of animal injury claims that are made.

According to the BBC, dog attacks have risen by 34% in the last year compared to 2018. Almost 3,500 dogs were seized by the police in 2022 - a rise of 36% from 2018, mostly due to the animals being deemed “out of control”. This is accompanied by a rise in the dog population of only 15%.

The team of specialist lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler have vast experience of dealing with dog bite claims, helping clients get financial compensation to help cover any medical fees, loss of earnings and rehabilitation costs.

We are proud of our reputation as a warm, friendly, down-to-earth law firm, and our legal professionals are specialists in their field.

What Type Of Injuries Are Common From Dog Bites?

Being attacked and/or bitten by a dog can cause a range of injuries, going from minor to very serious. Depending on the circumstances of the attack, who the victim is, and the type of dog, consequences for a dog attack may include:

Scarring

It’s very common for dog bites to leave permanent scarring on the injured area. Some types of dogs can have large and sharp teeth, and be able to puncture skin very easily. Even after seeking medical attention and leaving the wound to heal, victims of dog bites may be left with significant scarring, requiring plastic surgery - and additional medical costs and financial losses.

Fractures

Dog attacks can be very startling, and victims often fall to the ground as they’re bitten or attacked by the dog. If this happens on hard surfaces, such as pavement or cement, fractures often happen. While considered by many a minor injury, a bone fracture can become severe, and complications are not rare, leading to long recovery, and, sometimes, life-long impairment.

Child Injuries

Unfortunately, children can often be victims of dog attacks. They may approach dogs to play with them, not realising the risk associated with interacting with a dog they aren’t familiar with. They can also be more susceptible to injuries such as bites, which can lead to very serious accidents involving children.

Psychological Injuries

As dog attacks can be very intense experiences, many victims are left with PTSD or psychological injuries. If you have suffered long-term psychological consequences following a dog attack, you may be able to claim compensation for these damages as much as physical injuries and wounds.

Starting Your Dog Bite Claim

If you have been injured as a result of a dog bite, your priority will of course be to seek medical treatment for your injuries. But if you can, it’s important to try to gather as much information about the attack as possible, including the breed of the dog and the owner’s contact details.

However, if that’s not possible, it’s a good idea to contact the team at Lanyon Bowdler as soon as you can for  initial legal advice on your potential dog bite claim.

Dog bites can be very serious, leaving victims with permanent injuries - both physical and psychological. Every dog owner is potentially liable for the behaviour of their dog, so the person injured has a legal right to compensation claims following accidents with animals, if an attack is due to the negligence of the dog owner or the person handling the dog at the time, or if the dog has exhibited aggressive behaviour in the past.

Yet many people involved in dog attacks are unaware they can make dog bite claims.

For a dog bite compensation claim to be successful, you must be able to prove that the owner of the dog was responsible for the actions of the animal, and/or has been negligent in some way. Simply being bitten by a dog does not mean that the owner has been negligent. It would need to be demonstrated that the dog owner was aware that the dog attack could happen and failed to take adequate steps to prevent it.

The team of specialist Dog Bite Solicitors here at Lanyon Bowdler have vast experience of dealing with dog bite clais, helping clients get financial compensation to help cover any medical fees, loss of earnings and rehabilitation costs.

Get in touch with us by phone today to talk about what happened to you, and we’ll help you decide what the next steps are.  Alternatively, complete the enquiry form on this page and we’ll call you back.

The Dangerous Dogs Act

The Dangerous Dogs Act came into force in 1991 and states that Pit Bull Terriers (Pit Bull Type), Japanese Tosas and Fila Brasileiros must always be muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. These breeds have all been judged to be legally “dangerous” and therefore any injury will lead to compensation being awarded, regardless of any previous incidents.

Postal Worker And Delivery Driver Dog Bite Claims

According to information released by the Royal Mail during their Dog Awareness Week in July 2019, 2,484 postal workers were bitten by dogs in the previous year, up 9% in the last 12 months. When you consider that this is 44 attacks per week on average, it is clearly a major problem.

The rise in dog bite injuries has been more pronounced in certain postcodes where more aggressive dog breeds have become fashionable. The worst areas for attacks in 2018 were Torquay, Stockport, Oldham, St Albans, Slough, Colchester, Blackburn, Llandudno, Hemel Hempstead and Hull.

While serious injuries by a dog are thankfully quite rare, on average a third of bites require medical attention and approximately two per month require hospital attendance.

Changes to the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, which came into force in May 2014, removed the distinction between dog biting incidents taking place in public and non-public places. So now, it is now a criminal offence no matter where the incident takes place.

Owners face unlimited fines and even prison if their dog bites anyone on their property – and that doesn’t just include postal workers or delivery drivers.

It is not the postman or delivery driver’s responsibility to prevent your dog from biting them through the letterbox. The responsibility is on the dog owner. If your dog is likely to try to bite or snatch through the letterbox, you must take steps to protect visitors to your property from being injured.

Contact Lanyon Bowdler’s Dog Bite Solicitors

Our team of personal injury solicitors support claimants all across the country. We offer an initial confidential assessment of your claim, so you can find out how much you could be entitled to as compensation for your dog bite.

We have years of experience dealing with all types of personal injury claims, including dog bites and dog attacks. Give our dog bite lawyers a call or complete our online enquiry form, to see how we can help.

We have offices in Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Bromyard, Hereford and Conwy, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands.

As a leading national law firm, we regularly act for clients on Dog Bite Claims across the country. We can represent you wherever you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and can often offer support on a No Win No Fee basis.

Testimonials

Great Service. Lanyon Bowdler and Phillip Roberts were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

- Paul, via Review Solicitors

Impressed with the constant updates and that I was always kept informed.

- Mr Paul Curtis, Telford

Always kept me informed as to progress, additionally explained in simple terms what was going to happen and when.

- Mrs C Mitchell, Ludlow

No hidden costs, clear advice within a comfortable setting. No stress for me and all staff were very polite and helpful.

- Mrs J M Stephens, Leominster

Impressed with the personal touch, advice and communication.

- Mrs Sharon English, Whitchurch

Good communication once the ball was rolling. It appeared that LB wanted to fight my case, not just because it was their job. Showed interest in my personal life and family. Very happy with the service.

- Mrs Kayleigh Griffiths, Telford

Very professional but also very relatable and approachable.

- Mrs Lynda Hylton, Hereford

Always clear, professional and helpful.

- Mrs S Horrobin, Wolverhampton

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