Hamilton Dog Bite & Dog Attack Lawyers – Serving Victims in Dog Attacks throughout Ontario since 2003. No Fees Unless we Win.
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In Ontario, the law is clear that a dog owner is liable for damages resulting from a dog bite or attack. Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including disfigurement, abrasions, sprains and strains, nerve damage, lacerations, puncture wounds, lost digits, tissue loss, cuts and gashes, infections such as rabies, emotional distress, social embarrassment from scarring, fractured bones, crush injuries, and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our Hamilton dog attack lawyers have seen the devastation these things can cause, and we’re here to help you and your family recover the compensation you’re owed.
The horrors of a dog attack extend far beyond the immediate physical trauma. Victims, particularly children, often suffer from grievous injuries, including deep bite marks, torn flesh, and, in severe cases, disfigurement. These physical injuries can necessitate extensive medical treatment, including multiple rounds of plastic surgery, leaving lasting scars both visible and invisible.
However, the psychological aftermath often has the most profound impact. The trauma of an attack can instill a deep-rooted fear of animals, leading to anxiety and avoidance behaviours. This fear can permeate daily life, making even a simple walk in the park a source of anxiety.
Children, with their formative minds, are especially vulnerable. They may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, enduring nightmares, flashbacks, and an overwhelming sense of fear that can hinder their social development and affect their overall well-being.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a dog attack, call us today. Our Hamilton dog bite lawyers represented dog attack victims across Ontario since 2003. We are prepared to help you recover the compensation and justice you deserve.
Working with a Hamilton dog bite lawyer from Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers can enable you to recover fair and total compensation for all the damages you suffered due to a dog’s unwarranted aggression. Our Hamilton dog attack lawyers have extensive experience handling these cases, meaning we can help you collect the evidence necessary to present a strong and compelling case.
The law in Ontario is one of strict liability. This means that the animal’s owner (a term that includes a person who possesses or harbours the dog) is liable for damages from a dog’s bite or attack on another person or domestic animal.
If a dog bite or attack has injured you or a loved one, we can help. Our Hamilton dog attack lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our experienced Hamilton dog bite lawyers pursue a settlement on your behalf that addresses your current and existing losses and any losses that may occur in the future. This includes cosmetic surgery to repair scars or disfigurement. If a settlement cannot be reached in your dog attack case, our Hamiton dog bite lawyers advocate for you in court to pursue a judgment in your favour.
Experience Matters
A few of our recent result are noted below. It’s very important to understand that no two cases are the same. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results and litigation outcomes will vary according to the facts of individual cases. The information below are examples of Matt Lalande’s cases that he has settled or tried to verdict over his career and is for informational purposes only.
View More Case ResultsFor a young man who lost 2 limbs in a terrible motorcycle accident.
For a Trucker who suffered serious 3rd degree Burns in a California Trucking Accident.
For a middle aged woman who suffered severe brain trauma. Tort + AB
Ontario Dog Attack Laws
In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act is the law that governs who will be responsible when a dog bites someone. Ontario places strict liability on the owners of dogs that attack other people or animals. The owner of a dog will be found “strictly liable” for the injuries caused by his or her dog on others.
The law does not permit a dog owner to dispute who was at fault or whether the dog has a tendency to bite. Ultimately, the dog owner is automatically financially responsible for covering your damages. In other words, under Ontario dog bite law, a dog that bites is the absolute responsibility of its owner. This concept is called strict liability under dog bite law in Ontario.
Under the Occupiers ‘ Liability Act, a property owner can also be responsible for a dog bite or attack in Ontario. The Act mandates that anyone who owns or occupies a premises in Ontario needs to protect their visitors from foreseeable harm reasonably.
Anyone who owns or occupies a premise in Ontario, whether a farm, a residential home or any establishment – owes a duty of care to ensure that anyone who steps foot on their property is safeguarded against danger and defects on the property.
This includes vicious dogs with a propensity to bite and attack. Even well-behaved dogs should be handled appropriately or contained in a reasonable effort to prevent attacks.
What is the General Idea Behind Dog Attack Laws in Ontario?
A dog owner must exercise reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from biting or attacking a person or domestic animal or behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons or domestic animals. Failure to do so is an offence and exposes the owner to civil damages, regardless of their dog’s typical nature or behaviour.
Can a Dog Owner be Liable to Pay Compensation to Someone Their Dog Attacked?
Absolutely. A dog’s owner is liable for damages resulting from a dog’s bite or attack on another person or domestic animal. Liability does not depend on the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s propensity, fault, or negligence. Our Hamilton dog bite lawyers have seen various dog attacks, and the dog’s owner is always liable.
Who Exactly is a Dog “Owner” Under the Dog Owners Liability Act?
A dog “owner” is someone who possesses or harbours the dog. If the owner is a minor, the person responsible for custody of the minor is also an owner.
What Does Harbouring a Dog Mean Under the Dog Owners Liability Act?
“Harbouring” requires exercising some degree of care and control over the dog, not merely allowing it to be in the home with the owner. If there is more than one dog owner, they are jointly and severally liable for the damage their dog caused you.
Does the Occupiers Liability Act apply as well as the Dog Owners Liability Act?
Suppose the damage is caused by being bitten or attacked by a dog on the owner’s premises. In that case, the owner’s liability is determined under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, not the Occupiers’ Liability Act.
What if Someone Breaks Into my Property, and my Dog Attacks Them?
If a person is on the premises to commit or is in the act of committing a criminal act and incurs damage caused by being bitten or attacked by a dog, the owner is not liable. The only exception is if the dog’s keeping on the premises was unreasonable to protect persons or property.
If I am Attacked by a Dog, Will the Dog be Put Down?
If necessary for the protection of the public, the court may order that a dog that has been bitten or attacked be destroyed in a specified manner. Alternatively, they may order the dog’s owner to take specified measures to control the dog or for public safety more effectively. The final order made by the Court will depend on the circumstance of the bite or attack.
Some measures that may be ordered include confining the dog to its owner’s property, restraining it with a leash or muzzle, or posting warning signs. In addition to taking such measures, the owner must ensure that the dog is neutered or spayed within 30 days of making the order or within the period specified by the court.
If a dog whose destruction has been ordered is not taken into custody immediately, the owner must restrain it using a leash, muzzle and other means as the court may order until it is taken into custody.
Can a Court Prohibit a Dog Owner From Owning Another Dog?
Yes, a court may order the dog’s owner to refrain from owning another dog for a specified period. This will depend on the circumstances and the role the dog’s owner played in the attack.
Financial Compensation After Being Attacked or Bitten by a Dog in Ontario
If a dog has bitten you, you may be entitled to compensation. The legal landscape surrounding compensation and lawsuits can be confusing. Our Hamilton dog attack lawyers are happy to clarify the laws and advise you of your rights.
You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of amenities, loss of past income, lost future income, out-of-pocket expenses, health care expenses for psychological treatment, plastic surgery and physical rehab and the loss of ability to take care of your home, both indoor and out.
It is important to note that each dog bite case is based on facts. Compensation is calculated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the physical and psychological damage that the victim suffered.
Our Hamilton dog bite attack lawyers have seen victims of dog bite attacks suffer injuries such as:
- Severe scarring
- Puncture wounds
- Abrasions
- Crush injuries to bone, tendons and ligaments
- Disfigurement
- Surgical skin grafting
- Fractures
- Amputations and infections
- Vision loss
- Facial deformities
Contact our Hamilton Dog Bite & Dog Attack Lawyers Today
Call NowFacial and Fatal Injuries From Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
Facial dog attack injuries hold a unique position and have a propensity to both leave prominently visible scarring and get infected. Dog bites account for 90 % of facial soft tissue injuries. The injuries may cause permanent disfigurement to the victims, often requiring reconstructive surgery.
Dog attack victims who suffer facial injuries may suffer psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress in addition to their physical impairments.
Although most dogs never bite a human, they can inflict harm under particular circumstances. Due to their short stature, kids are the most common victims of dog bites, especially in fatal incidents.
The highest incidence of dog bites is in 5 to 9-year-old boys. Close to half of all reported cases of dog bites in Ontario involve an animal owned by the victim’s family or, more commonly, the victim’s neighbours. Dog breeds widely identified for their role in fatal dog bite attacks are pit-bull breeds, malamutes, chows, Rottweilers, huskies, German shepherds and Dobermans.
The location of injury due to dog bites is mainly dependent on age. In younger children, the most frequently affected areas are the head, face, and neck. As the child grows, bites to the extremities are most common on the limbs.
Bite injuries range from trivial ones needing no medical intervention to major soft-tissue defects with the loss of functionally important structures. A bite can also transmit unusual pathogens from the saliva into the wound. A dog’s mouth contains more than 1,000 species of pathogenic bacteria, so bite wounds are generally contaminated, and treatment is complex because of the risk of infection.
About three to 20 % of dog bite wounds develop infections. For more information, talk to our Hamilton dog attack lawyers. We’ve seen countless dog bite and dog attack cases and are familiar with what the victims often go through.
Psychological Injuries From Dog Bites and Dog Attacks
Anyone experiencing a potentially life-threatening event, such as a dog attack or a brutal dog bite, may experience considerable post-traumatic psychological distress. Dog bites present a significant public health problem. They are a frequent cause of not only physical trauma in both adults and kids – but there is also a high risk of psychological stress when exposed to such a devastating physical injury.
A dog attack is a phenomenon that involves severe injuries and produces intense fear, helplessness, and horror. The result, for many, may be temporary or permanent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Injured children seem to be more vulnerable than adults to developing significant psychological distress. Many dog attack victims go on to suffer ongoing fear of dogs and fear of the outdoors, which often requires extensive psychological treatment.
Our Hamilton dog bite lawyers have seen the psychological wounds caused by these traumatic events. We have a strong network of qualified, professional healthcare providers. We will connect you with the best doctors, counsellors, and other professionals to help you recover from every aspect of your injuries – physical, mental, and emotional.
Have You or Your Child Been Hurt in a Dog Attack? Our Hamilton Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help
The Dog Owner’s Legislation in Ontario can be confusing. If a dog has attacked you or a loved one, contact one of our Hamilton dog bite and dog attack lawyers today. We serve dog attack victims in Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catharines and province-wide. We will fight to obtain the most compensation possible for you and your family after a severe dog attack. It is 100% free to speak with our Hamilton dog attack lawyers specializing in dog bites and dog bite attacks.
At Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers, we take pride in being trusted Hamilton personal injury lawyers since 2003. Over the years, we’ve helped our clients recover more than $45 Million in settlements and verdicts in personal injury, disability, and employment law cases. Whether you’re dealing with a life-changing injury, a denied disability claim, wrongful death, a hurt child or employment termination, we are here to provide compassionate and experienced legal representation. If you believe you have a case, call us today—we’re ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Call Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers today, no matter where you are in Ontario at 905-333-8888 for your free consultation. Alternatively, you can contact us online, confidentially, by filling out a contact form.
Dog Bite and Dog Attack FAQs
Victims of dog attacks often suffer from deep bite marks and torn flesh, requiring immediate medical attention and potentially multiple surgeries.
The trauma from a dog attack can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially in children, affecting their daily life and mental health.
Yes, survivors of dog attacks may develop a long-lasting fear of animals, causing anxiety in situations where they encounter dogs.
Yes, serious dog attacks can lead to disfigurement, necessitating reconstructive plastic surgery to heal physical scars.
Yes, children who experience dog attacks may face significant psychological challenges, including nightmares and social anxiety.
After a dog attack, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
Yes, you can claim compensation for psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, and fear, as part of your personal injury lawsuit following a dog attack.
You have two years to file a Dog Attack lawsuit in Ontario.
