Studies have proven that over 100 dog bites are reported every week in the UK and that a large majority of these victims do not know that they should receive compensation following a dog bite claim. This is simply because of the fact that they do not realize that they can make a claim.
For any incident or accident that was not the victim’s fault and results in injury from a dog bite, the victim can make a dog bite claim as the law recognises the need for people to receive compensation for suffering, pain or injury caused by the negligence of others and their inability to control the aggressive behaviour of their dogs.
If you are employed in the sort of profession that involves entering another person’s house, you have the most legitimate reason to file a dog bite claim. These professions include those of postmen, plumbers, technicians, gardeners and the like.
A study showed that 5,091 dog attacks on postmen and post women were reported in 2009 in the UK. Some of these involved extremely serious injuries with a few requiring extensive surgery.
You are eligible to receive dog bite compensation if you have suffered from a dog bite that caused abrasions, tissue damage, puncture wounds, scars, lacerations, fractures, muscle damage and sprains. Dog bites also lead to diseases and infections such as cellulitis and rabies, which will serve to strengthen your case.
For these and psychological damage caused by a dog attack, regardless of what kind of injury you sustained, you are entitled to receive dog bite claim compensation that should cover your hospital expenses, cost of operation and be recompense for any trauma that you suffered.
So you know you can make a dog bite claim, but what can you do to strengthen it? Medical opinion is a given. Most injuries, even if they seem minor, require tetanus injections, cleaning and antibiotics to prevent the risk of infection and you should always ensure that you obtain records of whatever treatment you received with the cause of injury specified. Another strong, permanent source of evidence is photographing the wounds.
Make sure you know the name of the owner of the dog, and note the names of any witnesses to the incident. If you reported the aggressive behaviour of the dog to the police and discover that there is a history of attack from the same pet, it will strengthen your case further.
The best way of making a strong claim to receive dog bite compensation is by seeking legal advice and filing the claim as soon as you can after the injury. Strongest cases of dog bite claims involve a dog that has been ignored, handled negligently or mistreated by their owner. If they left it unsupervised, unchained, hungry or sick you can make a very strong claim.
English law recognizes the need for compensation following dog attacks with the 1871 Dogs Act, the 1971 Animals Act and the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, so know that the law is on your side if you ever suffer from a dog attack and that you should not hesitate to claim for what is your right.