Legal Guidance and Support for Victims of Dog Bites
Receiving Compensation with Dog Bite Injury Claim Lawyers
Dog attacks are traumatic and can result in serious physical and emotional injuries. Attacks can occur in public places, which create additional issues as to the accessibility of insurance (whereas dog attacks on private property are often covered by home insurance extensions with liability cover). Where insurance is not in place, claims need to be pursued against the dog owner, who can often be as aggressive as the culprit dog itself! Relevant records may need to be accessed from local licensing authorities. Reports for the seizure and destruction of an identified dangerous dog may be justified and required. Retaining a public liability dog bite lawyer can assist in navigating the statutory claim requirements, avoiding limitation periods and claim deadlines, identifying the correct parties to a claim and securing appropriate compensation.
Understanding Your Dog Attack Claim in Brisbane
Common Types of Dog Attacks
Dog attack claims are legal actions taken by victims who have suffered injuries from being bitten or attacked by a dog in a public or private place. These claims are essential for covering immediate medical costs (often including plastic surgery for disfigurement), compensating for pain and suffering, and any economic loss resulting from short and long term recovery from traumatic injury.
Dog owners (or occupiers of the premises where the dog is housed) are generally liable for any harm these pets cause to others. This liability covers various scenarios, from public park attacks to private property incidents. Home and contents insurance, in some circumstances, extends to cover liability for this type of injury. Claims are otherwise against the owner or occupier personally.
Common Scenarios and Injuries:
In Public Spaces
Dog attacks can occur in parks, streets, or other public areas where dogs might be off-leash or poorly controlled. It is important to ascertain whether the responsible dog owner has insurance extending to cover such an incident or has assets sufficient to cover the victim’s compensation claim.
At Private Residences
Visitors bitten by a homeowner’s or occupier’s dog can claim damages, especially if the dog was known by the owner/ occupier to be aggressive prior to the relevant incident and where the victim is a legitimate invitee onto the property.
Types of Injuries
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Attacks
Explore Types of Compensation for Victims of Dog Bites and How We Can Help
Medical Costs
Pain and Suffering
This form of compensation is awarded for the physical pain and emotional distress suffered by the victim of a dog attack. While pain and suffering are subjective, it is a form of compensation that is regulated under Queensland legislation. Our dog bite injury claim lawyers can quantify these damages within the applicable legal parameters.
Lost Wages
Victims can claim compensation for past and projected/ prospective lost wages if the injury results in time away from work immediately after the incident or in the future; or if the injury is severe enough to affect ongoing employability. Our dog bite lawyers work to ensure that any economic disadvantage caused by the attack is appropriately evidenced, quantified and compensated.
Additional Damages
In some cases, victims may be eligible for punitive damages where it is proven that the dog was known to be dangerous and still not appropriately restrained or secured. We also consider claims for any property damage that occurred during the attack, such as torn clothing or broken personal items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a dog attack?
If you suffer injury in a dog attack:
- If you or a witness is able to do so, you should obtain contact details of the owner of the dog, the dog’s name, breed, age and its council registration details;
- You should seek medical attention, even if the injury seems minor;
- Photograph your dog bite injuries prior to and post treatment and the dog in question;
- Report the dog attack to the local council where the attack occurred; and
- Consider engaging a dog bite injury claim lawyer for assistance to guide you through the required steps in order to secure appropriate compensation.
How does Rin Kim Law help with the claims process for dog attacks?
Our dog bite injury claim lawyers are available to manage every step of your dog bite claim or to step into an existing claim at any stage. This includes assisting with completion of the necessary claim paperwork, conduct of necessary third party investigations with the relevant council and dog control/ registration body, preparation and service of required claim documentation on the relevant at-fault party, liaising with either the at-fault party’s insurer or the party themselves if uninsured during the course of the claim, negotiating a settlement and compensation payment, and representing you in court if needed.
Do I need a lawyer to handle my dog bite claim?
Our dog bite injury claim lawyers are available to manage every step of your dog bite claim or to step into an existing claim at any stage. This includes assisting with the completion of the necessary claim paperwork, conducting necessary third-party investigations with the relevant council and dog control/ registration body, preparation and service of required claim documentation on the relevant at-fault party, liaising with either the at-fault party’s insurer or the party themselves if uninsured during the course of the claim, negotiating a settlement and compensation payment, and representing you in court if needed.
What happens if the dog owner doesn't have insurance?
Having a dog bite claim lawyer can improve your chances of receiving appropriate compensation. Lawyers can help you through complex legal processes, negotiate with insurance companies or uninsured and self-represented at-fault parties, and represent you in court if necessary. Where the dog owner is uninsured, the skills and experience of a lawyer in locating an uninsured owner’s assets to satisfy a compensation award can be the difference between a worthwhile successful claim and an uncommercial and somewhat pointless exercise.
