By Richie Billings. Last Updated 10th November 2023. Have you ever wondered what the average payout for a dog bite in the UK might be? Perhaps you were bitten at work or in the local park by a dog that was not adequately supervised or controlled. Maybe it left you with serious injuries. This article will explain how you could start a personal injury claim against a liable party if their dog bit you.
Personal injury lawyers can help to support No Win No Fee claims for injuries in the workplace, on the roads, or in public places. This guide first starts off by looking at the concept of a dog bite.
Then moving on to how a dog bite victim may be able to pursue a case for compensation. Additionally what could be claimed for in a compensation settlement and we also examine an example case duty. We conclude with how a No Win No Fee solicitor could benefit you. And how best to search for legal help.
Our team is available 24/7 to discuss your claim for an injury like this or any other type of accident that caused you personal harm and was not your fault.
You can call us directly at 0800 408 7825 or drop us a line at Public Interest Lawyers for a free, no-obligation chat.
How to claim compensation for a dog bite
Select a Section
- Case Study: £29,000 Compensation For A Dog Bite
- Can I Claim Compensation For A Dog Bite?
- How To Prove A Dog Bite Compensation Claim
- How Much Compensation For A Dog Bite Could I Claim?
- Can I Claim For A Dog Bite Under A No Win No Fee Agreement?
- Learn More About Personal Injury Claims
Case Study: £29,000 Compensation For A Dog Bite
Mr Drake worked at a yard that supplied car parts to garages. The parts were second-hand taken from cars that were considered unroadworthy. The garage did not have a security system. Instead, the owner and employer of Mr Drake used two guard dogs to ensure that at night parts were not stolen. In the daytime, the dogs were chained up at the side of the premises so that anyone coming into the yard would not be attacked.
The staff at the yard had suggested to the owner that the dogs seemed more aggressive. Constantly barking and snapping at people if they went close to them. They had even nipped the owner’s hand when he had gone to move their feeding bowl away. But these issues were dismissed.
Mr Drake was early for work one day and the dogs were roaming around the yard. As he went to chain them up he was severely attacked. Both legs were seriously injured. The skin had been severed so much so that the bone was visible. The owner, upon arriving, dragged both dogs away. Chaining them up and calling for an ambulance.
Mr Drake had emergency surgery. He had suffered great damage to the soft tissue in his legs. After the full extent of his injuries became apparent, and the full implication of his recovery financial problems started to begin. Mr Drake then spoke to a No Win No Fee solicitor and launched a personal injury claim.
The Compensation Payout
The case was found in Mr Drake’s favour, and he was awarded £29,000 in damages for his pain and suffering and out-of-pocket expenses that resulted from his injuries.
| General damages | Special damages |
|---|---|
| Serious soft tissue injuries to both legs £22,000 | Loss of earnings £4,500 |
| Travel to hospital visits – £150 | |
| Carer at home £1250 | |
| Gardener and cleaner £1100 |
This case study is purely an example not factual; speak to our friendly team for no-obligation expert legal advice and see how we could help you.
Can I Claim Compensation For A Dog Bite?
If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite, you may be able to claim compensation. However, to be eligible to make a personal injury claim for a dog bite injury, you will need to prove that you suffered your injury due to the dog owner breaching their duty of care.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and section 7 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the dog owner or person in charge of the dog at the time, such as a dog walker, is responsible for keeping the dog under control. Should they fail to keep the dog under control, and it was to attack you, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation for a dog bite.
You can contact our advisors today to see whether you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim if you have been attacked by a dog. They could also help answer any questions you may have, such as ‘What is the average payout for a dog bite in the UK?’
How Long Do I Have To Claim Compensation For A Dog Bite?
You only have a certain amount of time to claim compensation for a dog bite. The time limits can be found in the Limitation Act 1980. Generally, you have 3 years to start your claim from the date you were injured. However, there are certain exceptions to this time limit. Such as:
- If your child was injured due to a dog bite, they will have 3 years to make their claim once their turn 18. Before this point, the time limit is suspended, and a claim could be made for the injured party by a litigation friend.
- For someone who lacks the mental capacity to make a claim for themselves, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend could claim on their behalf. Or, if this mental capacity is regained they will have 3 years to start their claim.
Contact our advisors today if you are unsure whether you still have enough time to start your personal injury claim. They could also provide you with free legal advice and an estimate of your dog bite payout.
How To Prove A Dog Bite Compensation Claim
In order to receive compensation for a dog bite, you need to prove that your injury was caused by some form of negligence. For example, if someone’s dog is dangerously out of control in a public place and you are harmed as a result. It’s important to know that you will need sufficient evidence to prove this as part of your dog bite claim.
Examples of evidence you may be able to use include:
- CCTV footage. If the accident has been recorded, you can request to get a copy of this which can help illustrate the series of events that led to the accident.
- Witness statements. If someone saw the accident, you can take their contact details. Your solicitor can then contact them to get a witness statement.
- Medical records. Your doctor who treated the bite can provide records to highlight aspects including the extent of your injury and your treatment plan. This can also include any prescriptions you may have had to take because of the injury.
- Photographs of your injury and the site of the accident.
If you have further questions about how to make a successful dog bite claim, please contact us for free legal advice using the details above.
How Much Compensation For A Dog Bite Could I Claim?
A dog bite payout is influenced by numerous factors. These include what type of injuries you’re claiming for and how severe they are deemed to be. The impact your injuries are having on your day-to-day life is also taken into consideration.
Following a successful dog bite compensation claim, you will be awarded general damages. This is awarded to compensate you for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused you.
Those who are valuing this head of your claim may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document provides compensation guidelines for various injuries and was last updated in April 2022. We have included some of the figures found in this edition of the JCG in the table below.
Please only use it as a guide.
| Injury and Severity | Amount |
|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries Plus Special Damages | Up to £100,000+ |
| Facial Disfigurement (a) | £29,780 to £97,330 |
| Facial Disfigurement (c) | £9,110 to £30,090 |
| Facial Disfigurement (d) | £3,950 to £13,740 |
| Hand Injuries (d) | £61,910 to £90,750 |
| Hand Injuries (r) | £35,520 to £54,830 |
| Hand Injuries (f) | Up to £36,740 |
| Total Loss Of One Eye | £54,830 to £65,710 |
| Scarring to Other Parts of the Body | £7,830 to £22,730 |
Special Damages
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, compensation could also be awarded to you in the form of special damages. If eligible to receive it, this portion of your dog bite claim is calculated to reimburse you for any financial impact of the injury.
Here are some examples of what could be covered by a special damages payment:
- Medical costs – Your injuries may require prescription medication or even private healthcare.
- Loss of earnings – A dog bite injury could prevent you from working while you recover, depending on your area of work. If so, the earnings you miss out on during this time could be paid back to you. You could also be compensated for calculable future loss of earnings or missed out bonuses and pension contributions.
- Additional care at home – You may need to pay for assistance at home with certain tasks.
With special damages, you need to maintain evidence of any expenditures that can be attributed to your injuries. Payslips and receipts are a good way of supporting this.
Claim For A Dog Bite Injury With A No Win No Fee Lawyer
Are you considering making a claim for a dog bite injury with a No Win No Fee lawyer? Our panel of personal injury lawyers could help you under this type of arrangement. They may offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement, a type of No Win No Fee agreement in which you don’t pay your lawyer for their work if your claim fails.
Usually, a No Win No Fee lawyer won’t charge you:
- An upfront fee
- Nor whilst your claim is ongoing
If you are awarded compensation for a dog bite injury, you’ll pay a success fee to your lawyer. However, you won’t have to worry about this fee as it’ll be deducted directly from your award settlement. Additionally, it is subject to a legal cap to avoid you being overcharged.
Our advisors could connect you with a No Win No Fee lawyer from our panel. To arrange your free consultation, all you need to do is:
- Call us direct on 0800 408 7825
- Fill out our contact form and we will get back to you
- Speak to someone using our ‘live support’ portal
We hope that this guide has helped in your decision to launch a personal injury claim, and we look forward to speaking to you and helping you proceed.
Learn More About Personal Injury Claims
Below, we’ve included some other guides you may find useful.
- Do I Need To Use Accident Solicitors Near Me?
- Accidental Death Compensation Claims
- How To Get A Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Claim
- How To Claim Compensation For An Accident And Injury
- A Guide To Personal Injury Claims
- Government statistics on workplace accidents
- What to do with a dog bite
- Get help making a claim if you were bitten by a rat
- And finally, advice on using the NHS services
If you have any more questions about dog bite claims, please get in touch.