By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 13th November 2023. Suffering an injury in a dog bite attack can not only leave you wounded but psychologically traumatised too. In some cases, it’s possible to seek compensation. In this comprehensive guide, we explain dog bite claims and how our No Win No Fee solicitors can help you.
We also take a look at the average payout for a dog bite.
We offer a free case check to everyone who gets in touch, so if you’d like to enquire as to whether or not you can make a dog bite claim today, reach out to us by:
- Calling 0800 073 8801
- Or speak with us online via our live chat box
A guide to dog bite compensation claims
Select A Section
- Dog Bite Claim – Case Study
- What Are The Criteria For Dog Bite Claims?
- Evidence That Could Support A Dog Bite Claim
- How Long Do I Have To Claim Dog Bite Compensation?
- What Is The Average Payout For A Dog Bite?
- No Win No Fee Agreements And Dog Bite Claims
- Helpful Resources On Dog Bite Claims
Dog Bite Claim – Case Study
Before we provide information about how you could claim for an injury caused by a dog, let us give you an example of a successful dog bite claim.
In this case, a woman was attacked by a dog when she was out for a jog. The dog had attacked two other runners in the past two months, and the owner had already been warned about the dog’s behavior and told to keep it on a lead. However, the owner ignored this and let his dog roam freely in a public park, which is where the attack happened.
In the attack, the woman’s left arm and elbow were punctured badly, and she required hospital treatment. She was left with permanent scarring and developed a phobia of dogs, which impacted her ability to go out and enjoy her usual runs.
The woman sought help from a solicitor experienced in dog bite claims. They successfully negotiated a settlement of £28,000 for the woman for her physical and psychological injuries as well as the costs she incurred as a result of her injuries.
To see whether you may be eligible to claim compensation for a dog bite injury, you can contact one of our friendly team members.
What Are The Criteria For Dog Bite Claims?
Not everyone would be eligible to claim personal injury compensation for a dog bite. To be eligible to claim, you would need to demonstrate that:
- Someone had a duty of care towards you, which they breached.
- Your injuries were a direct result of this breach.
For example, if someone had a banned breed of dog and it bit you, this could be in breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. If such a dog attacks you, this could lead to a criminal charge for the owner. However, it is not only dangerous breeds that could lead to dog bite claims. If an owner of a dog does not keep proper control of their pet, and you are bitten as a result, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
The average payout for a dog bite claim can vary, but generally, compensation would come from the owner’s pet insurance. However, in some cases, the liable party might be an organisation that should be in control of the animal, such as a dog home or kennels.
To check your eligibility, or learn more about how to begin a claim, please contact an advisor.
Evidence That Could Support A Dog Bite Claim
If you are considering starting your own dog bite compensation claim, you will need to gather evidence to help support your case. If a solicitor agrees to assist you with your claim, then they can help with evidence gathering.
Potential evidence that could be used when claiming compensation for a dog bite may include:
- Medical records stating your injuries, the severity of them, and the treatment you required.
- Photographs of the injuries caused by the dog bites, such as any visible scarring.
- Any video evidence that may be available showing the dog attack, such as CCTV footage.
- Contact details of any witnesses. They could then provide a statement at a later date.
You can contact our team of advisors for more information on gathering evidence for a dog bite claim. Additionally, they may connect you with one of our solicitors who could assist you with gathering evidence.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Dog Bite Compensation?
As well as looking for the average payout for a dog bite in the UK, or searching for a dog bite claim calculator, you might wonder how long you’d have to claim dog bite compensation. If so, you might be interested to know that the time limits for dog bite compensation claims can be found in the Limitation Act 1980.
It states that in personal injury claims, the time limit is generally three years. This is taken either from the date of the accident or the date that the person connected their injuries to negligence.
However, there are exceptions to the limitation period in some cases. For example, if the injured person is under the age of 18 or if the person lacks the mental capacity to claim.
To learn more about the exceptions and when they could apply, get in touch with our team.
What Is The Average Payout For A Dog Bite?
When people make a dog bite injury compensation claim, their claim would be assessed on its own unique facts and circumstances.
Your compensation for a dog bite injury would depend on the severity and impact of the injury on your life. For example, one person who sustains a dog bite injury could suffer very differently from another. Your compensation could depend on factors such as the severity and location of the bite. Plus, whether you need surgery or develop an infection. The financial impacts and psychological impacts of the injury should also be taken into account.
Generally, though, your settlement could comprise general damages which compensates for the pain and suffering of your injuries. Solicitors can use figures from the Judicial College Guidelines to help them value this head of claim. We have created a table using these figures.
Type of injury Compensation banding Notes
Multiple serious injuries with special damages. Up to £150,000+ Multiple serious injuries which can include both physical and mental injuries, plus special damages.
Severe psychiatric damage £54,830 to £115,730 There will be a poor future prognosis. Various factors will play into how this is calculated.
Moderately severe psychiatric damage £19,070 to £54,830 The anticipated future prognosis will be much better than the above category.
Moderate psychiatric damage £5,860 to £19,070 The anticipated future prognosis will be much better than the above category. There will be a good degree of recovery over the long term.
Very severe facial scarring £29,780 to £97,330 Applicable to younger claimants where there is severe disfigurement and psychological reaction.
Less severe facial scarring £17,960 to £48,420 Substantial disfigurement and a serious psychological reaction.
Significant facial scarring £9,110 to £30,090 The worst impact could be reduced with plastic surgery.
Less significant facial scarring £3,950 to £13,740 Multiple small scars or a singular one that doesn't cause a severe reaction.
Scarring on the body £7,830 to £22,730 Lots of scars or a single disfiguring scar on the body.
Scarring on the body £2,370 to £7,830 A single noticeable scar or or lots of superficial ones.
These figures are only rough guidelines, however. If you would like to receive personalised guidance on compensation for a dog bite injury, please call our team. We would be happy to work out what you could include within your claim. Our advisors could also assess whether one of our solicitors could help you with your injury compensation claim.
No Win No Fee Agreements And Dog Bite Claims
There is a lot to consider when looking for the best personal injury lawyers. It can be a difficult process. After all, you need to make sure you choose the best lawyer for you. There are no second chances when it comes to making a claim.
One of the most important decisions you need to make is whether to hire a No Win, No Fee personal injury solicitor or someone that charges by the hour. There really is only one winner. No Win, No Fee accident lawyers offer the much better solution and here are the reasons why…
One of the main advantages associated with No Win, No Fee solicitors over traditional solicitors is that you will minimise financial risk. If you go for a lawyer that charges by the hour there is always the worry that you are going to spend an extortionate sum of money only for your case to be unsuccessful. Is this something you can really afford to risk? Well, you don’t have to. If you go for a No Win, No Fee solicitor you will not pay any legal fees if your case is not triumphant. Not only this, but also you don’t have to pay an upfront sum in order to start the claim process.
Make A Claim For A Dog Bite
You don’t have to immediately decide whether to claim for a dog bite. It could help you to understand more about the claims process before you choose to start a claim. That’s why our solicitors could offer you a free initial consultation. This allows you to speak with a lawyer about your situation and see if you are eligible to claim compensation.
Our accident claims solicitors bring many years of experience at the highest level, along with a long track record of managing successful claims. They can also cover all types of civil claims.
Our advisors are available 24/7 to answer your enquiry, and there’s no requirement to file a claim after contacting us. For more information about potentially claiming compensation for a dog bite, you can:
- Telephone us on 0800 073 8801
- Complete our contact form
- Message our Live Chat
Helpful Resources On Dog Bite Claims
- Dog bite Compensation – Your Guide to Claiming – A definitive guide to claiming.
- NHS – What to do about bites – See here for more advice on treatment etc.
Thank you for reading this case study on personal injury claims payouts for a dog bite. Hopefully, we’ve explained what the average payout for a dog bite in the UK is. We could assess your case to see if you could claim. Or, if you’d like our help getting a dog bite payout, we’d be glad to help you.
