Your Personal Injury Lawyers
North Bay Dog Bite Lawyer
Pet owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control. When dog bite injuries occur, their effects may include damage to the muscles, soft tissues, and nerves. These injuries could cause permanent pain or physical disability, especially if the bite wound becomes infected or the dog was not kept up to date on its vaccines.
If a dog bites you or a loved one, seek medical attention immediately. Then, call Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE and speak to a member of our team about whether you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Pursuing Your Right to Compensation
After a dog bite injury, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Our team may be able to help by conducting an investigation into the details of your situation.
We may look at whether the dog’s owner took reasonable precautions to control their dog, such as by using a leash, keeping the animal within a fenced area, or by intervening if they witnessed the attack.
The Ontario Dog Owner’s Liability Act provides avenues for compensation to eligible victims if the dog’s owner is found liable for your injuries. If you are reluctant to pursue a lawsuit based on negligence, such as in situations where the dog is owned by a friend or family member, you may also be able to pursue recovery under the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy.
If the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation that could cover:
- Medical bills
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of income
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- And more, if you qualify
These are not the only damages that may be available to you, and that the compensation you may be eligible to recover depends on your specific injuries. To learn more about how our team may be able to help, call 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial consultation.
What to Do if You or a Loved One Gets Bitten or Attacked by a Dog
Even if a dog bite appears minor, there are several steps we recommend taking following such an incident. Taking the measures detailed below may assist in building your case and help to make similar incidents less likely in the future.
Get Medical Attention
The priority is to get medical attention. This is important because even minor dog bites may be prone to infection, and you could require antibiotics. Depending on the dog’s size and medical history, injuries following a dog bite may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Damage to internal organs and muscles
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- And more
Psychological injuries may manifest in the aftermath of a dog bite, as well. These could include anxiety, depression, insomnia, or a lingering fear of dogs and other animals in the future.
Contact the Owner and Receive Medical Care
If the dog’s owner was not present at the time of the attack, it is important to notify them about the incident. This may make it easier to obtain information about the dog’s medical history, temperament, and disposition toward people and other animals. Also, remember to receive proper medical care immediately.
Report the Incident to Police
If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, it might bite someone else. Reporting the incident may prompt them to investigate the case, in which case a copy of their findings may prove helpful to your case.
How a North Bay Dog Bite Lawyer May Be Able to Assist You
If you qualify for compensation, we may be able to help by:
- Listening carefully to you so we may create a detailed account of the circumstances
- Gathering evidence like photos, videos, and police reports
- Obtaining medical evidence and other records
- Getting witness statements
- Establishing whether there had been similar incidents involving the same dog
- Filing a claim against the liable party’s insurance
- Negotiating with the at-fault party or their insurance company
- Representing your interests in court, if necessary
You must file your lawsuit within a limited amount of time after your injury. Call today to learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you: 1-800-JUSTICE.
Take Action Now
Although there may be some exceptions, you generally must file your lawsuit within two years of your injury. We recommended exploring your right to compensation as soon as possible. This may make gathering evidence easier, as the details may be fresher in the minds of any witnesses.
Our team may be able to handle the burdens associated with a lawsuit for you. We may be able to help you obtain medical reports, collect receipts, manage communications with the insurance company, seek documentation that demonstrates the extent of your noneconomic losses, and more.
Take the first steps towards pursuing your right to compensation and call the Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE today.
