We are solicitors with experience in claiming compensation for dog attacks. Catherine Smith introduces our no win no fee dog bite compensation service in this video.

Read about dangerous dog attack compensation claims below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us can I sue the dog owner if I have been bitten by his dog?

Compensation Awards For Dog Attack Injuries

Compensation claims for dog attacks will consider whether an owner failed to control or restrain their dog in the lead up to the attack, and whether the dog had previously shown a pattern of similarly dangerous behaviour. If the latter is true the owner may be liable for damage caused by a dog regardless of whether their actions were responsible for the incident. Compensation awards vary widely depending on the extent of the injuries sustained in the attack.

Case Study: Dog Off Leash Attacks Man In Park

Mr Stanley was out walking in the park with his son and their dog Henry. He recalls that 'out of the blue' a German Shepherd dog was bounding at them with its leash trailing behind. The dog began to attack Henry, and Mr Stanley attempted to intervene by shouting at then kicking the German Shepherd. By that time the owner of the second dog was on the scene, but the German Shepherd had already turned on Mr Stanley. He received a bite on the arm, and a more serious wound to the hand while trying to fend off the dog, which almost severed one finger. The owner eventually managed to restrain the dog and called an ambulance for Mr Stanley from his mobile phone. Mr Stanley was taken to hospital where a tetanus jab was administered. He required a total of 30 stitches in his wounds and was left with permanent scarring on both his hand and arm. He still has difficulty gripping objects with his right hand a year later.

Mr Stanley's wife contacted Bartletts Solicitors having read about our handling of a similar dog attack case. She asked us; can I claim compensation if I have been bitten by a dog that was out of control in a park? After considering the facts of the case we agreed to represent Mr Stanley on a No Win No Fee basis in bringing a compensation claim against the dog owner. Although the German Shepherd was not classified as a 'dangerous dog' by law, we argued that its owner had failed to control it properly in a public place, and that this had directly caused Mr Stanley's injuries. The owner of the German Shepherd had third party insurance and eventually admitted liability, despite the insurers initial counter-argument that the incident was Mr Stanley's own fault for attempting to intervene in the fight between the two dogs. It was also admitted by the owner that the German Shepherd had a history of violent behaviour. Mr Stanley received £7,500 in compensation, as well as a further amount for time off work and the cost of medical treatment. His legal fees were also met by the dog owner's insurance company.

Case Study: Dog Attacks Child In Garden

Mr Gregson's son was playing football in the garden of their family home with a friend. He was suddenly confronted by a bull mastiff dog which was being walked by his owner in the road outside, but had escaped and slipped through the hedge at the bottom of the garden. The dog leapt at the boy knocking him onto his back and bit him on the cheek, tearing away a portion of skin. Hearing the child's screams his father rushed from the house and was able to ward off the bull mastiff before it could do any further damage. The boy was taken to hospital where he required skin graft surgery and extensive stitching to repair his facial wounds. He later required plastic surgery and psychological counseling to address flashbacks and related problems sleeping and going out in public. The other boy who had witnessed the attack also received counseling.

Mr Gregson got in touch with Bartletts Solicitors on the recommendation of a family friend who we had previously represented in an unrelated case. He initially asked; how can I claim against a dog owner for my child's injuries? We explained how our no win no fee contract worked. Once he understood that he would not have to pay a penny win or lose Mr Gregson instructed us to begin a claim for compensation against the bull mastiff's owner for the attack on his son. We argued that not only had the owner failed to adequately control his dog, but he had also breached Section 3(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which states that the owner (or person in charge at the time) of a dog can be prosecuted if an incident occurs in a non-public place where the dog was not permitted to be. The owner did not have third party insurance, but admitted responsibility for the incident. Under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme Mr Gregson's son was awarded £9,500 in damages, which was to be held in a court-administered investment account until he reached the age of 18. The family was awarded a similar sum for ongoing medical expenses, and their legal fees were also paid separately.