Dogs require a significant amount of discipline and training, and when someone does not follow through with these requirements, their dog can hurt others. Ultimately, dogs are still animals, and animals can be unpredictable. Despite this fact, 35% of Canadian households own a dog, and there are over 5.9 million dogs living in the country.
Dealing with a dog bite injury is a complex situation because it has an impact on human and animal welfare for the injured person and the dog itself. Nearly one in five individuals who have been bitten by a dog have to seek medical attention and suffer serious injuries as a result. These injuries could have a damaging impact on your life, physically, financially, and mentally.
Under the Ontario Dog Owners’ Liability Act, dog owners are liable if their dog attacks another person. It is that individual’s responsibility to prevent their dog from attacking other people or property. Additionally, the law may extend to hold someone accountable if the dog is in their possession or if they are harbouring the dog at the time of attack. For example, if someone is walking their friend’s dog and the dog bites someone, that person may be held liable.
The Occupiers’ Liability Act of Ontario may also apply to the situation if the dog attacked you on someone else’s property. This law states that anyone in Ontario has the responsibility to uphold a duty of care to any individual on their property or a premise that they own. Duty of care includes ensuring that the individual is safe from any known danger, and that precautions have been taken to remove that danger or hazard from the area. Dogs that have a tendency to bite or that can be vicious in nature are included in this duty of care, as it is the owner’s responsibility to prevent those dogs from attacking individuals who are on their property.
It may not seem like a big ordeal, but a dog bite could have a long-term impact on your quality of life and could lead to serious and life-changing injuries. The size of the dog may be a factor on the severity of the injury, and could increase the risk factor overall, with larger dogs posing a greater risk than smaller dogs.
Dog bites are most commonly experienced on the hands, but can become a problem due to the heightened risk of infection. A dog’s mouth is known to contain higher rates of germs and bacteria, which could increase the impact of the bite. If those infections do not heal properly they can lead to other complications in the long term, such as a staph infection or tetanus, which can lead to paralysis if it is not treated early enough.
Other types of dog bite injuries could include:
Children are at particular risk for facial injuries from dog bites due to their positioning to the animal. Since they are smaller, it can be easier for dogs to reach the face and cause serious, sometimes permanent, damage to the skin and organs. Additionally, dog bites often cause psychological issues in children, which could lead to long-lasting mental health issues that can require increased care.
If you have been bitten by a dog, you are entitled to file a claim for compensation against the dog’s owner. You have the right to compensation for your pain and suffering, any medical treatments or procedures you require, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, cosmetic surgeries to fix scarring or other issues, rehabilitation, and/or any psychological services. Our Burlington Dog Attack Lawyers will ensure that you are compensated to the fullest extent of the law if you have suffered serious wounds, lacerations, facial wounds, facial fractures, permanent scarring and psychological injuries. The specific amount of compensation to which you are entitled may differ depending on the details of your individual situation, so it is important to speak with a lawyer about your potential claim.
We can assist in recovering compensation for pain and suffering, psychological suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, future health care expenses, housekeeping losses and possibly, punitive damages against the owner of the dog that caused your attack. We will leave no stone unturned. We will recovery the compensation you need and deserve – and fight for every penny.
Our Burlington dog bite lawyers are highly experienced and have the knowledge to help you file a claim against the owner of the dog that attacked you. We have represented clients who have been attacked by dogs and have successfully assisted them in recovering lost damages for their situations.
In Ontario, liability cases are strict against the individuals who own the dog. This is known as strict liability, and it means that the dog’s owner is unable to attempt to dispute who was at fault in the situation. They are expected to hold full responsibility and liability for the damages that you have suffered due to their dog’s actions. However, it is still important that you have strong legal representation on your side.
A Burlington dog bite and dog attack lawyer can held you commence and strengthen your claim, hire the appropriate experts and assist you in recovering the maximum amount of benefits you are entitled to. Many claimants who attempt to settle without legal representation are often unaware of the full amount of compensation to which they are entitled and miss out on a maximum payment. If you and the dog owner at fault are unable to reach a settlement, we will assist you in taking the claim to trial.
Dog owner’s liability can be a complex issue in Ontario, and our Burlington dog bite lawyers are able to assist you through the process. We will meet with you and discuss the details of your situation as they pertain to your injury and work with you to determine your needs and options. All of our consultations are free, with no up front fees and no obligation to retain our firm.
Contact our offices at 905-333-8888 or fill out a contact form online to book your free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you or your loved one get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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