Dog bites can happen to anyone, even children and older adults. Either a dog gets loose and comes up on your property, biting you on the leg as you turn around. There may be a dog fight at the local dog park as you try to break it up, resulting in an injury to your hands.
Other times, an owner may claim that their dog is friendly as you go to pet it. However, the dog suddenly bites you. In all of these instances, you can experience minor and serious injuries.
Claim for Dog Bite in BC
If you are bitten by a dog in the British Columbia area, you may be entitled to compensation. When a claim is filed, the dog owner’s insurance company will hold the owner liable in these circumstances. It will be up to you to prove that the dog owner should have taken the necessary steps to keep the pet under control.
British Columbia Laws for Dog Bites
Under the law, the dog owner can be held liable if they knew the dog had the propensity to attack people, or it had an inclination to be aggressive toward others. A dog owner may also be responsible for your injuries even if they did not know that the dog was inclined to be aggressive or dangerous, but they were negligent in keeping the dog under control at all times. Then the insurance company will typically pay the claim.
When Can a Claim Be Denied?
There are certain occasions when the claim may be denied. The dog may be a stray and the owner cannot be located. Then you will be unable to file a claim until the owner can be found.
If the dog owner didn’t know the dog would attack anyone, and this was the first time that the dog bit someone, then they may not be held liable. In this instance, the dog owner may have been in control and did everything to protect the public. Another situation is if the dog was provoked or deliberately injured by someone and the dog reacted by biting the person.
When Should You File a Claim?
You can file a claim whenever a dog bite occurs, even when you are a contractor or employee working at a customer’s residence. In addition, you could also file a claim if the dog tries to attack you as you are injured while trying to run away from a dog. Another instance when you may have a claim is if the dog knocks you down and you become hurt when landing on a hard surface.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Case
At Diamond & Diamond BC, we help people who are involved in dog bite accidents. We can discuss the facts of your case, perform an investigation, and gather evidence so you can successfully file a claim. So if you are bitten or injured by a dog, seek out medical attention immediately, contact the Animal Control officers, and get in touch with our office. We will help protect your rights and get you compensation for your injuries.
FAQ's
Can I Sue for Getting Bit by a Dog?
If you are harmed or bitten by another person’s dog, that individual can be held responsible for resulting damages depending on how the incident happened. In order to receive compensation for the injuries sustained, you can file for a dog bite lawsuit against the owner. Liability for the injuries in a dog bite differs from state to state. In Illinois for example, a dog bite victim is eligible for full compensation under the doctrines of negligence, scienter and intentional tort.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Dog Bite?
The homeowners insurance policies cover dog bite liability legal expenses up to the liability limits ( mostly set at around $100,000 to $300,000). If the claim is more than that limit, then the dog owner is personally responsible for all the damages above that amount. Some insurance companies will ensure that homeowners in possession of certain breeds of dogs categorized as dangerous take insurance covers. Other insurers decide it on a case to case basis depending on the individual dog and the damage it caused.
Should I File a Police Report for a Dog Bite?
Yes, it is always a noble idea to file the circumstances surrounding the attack or dog bite. Despite the straightforward nature of many dog bites, having an independent third party keep record of the circumstances is very important in dealing with the eventuality of an occurrence. A dog bite report describes all the important events that led to the attack. They include where it happened, what happened and most importantly, how it happened. Filing for a dog bite claim is therefore very important because you might be compensated for the injuries sustained.