have you been injured in an Animal Attack?
Let us get you the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite or any attack by an animal can result in long-term pain and suffering, serious infection and psychological trauma. If the owner or person responsible for the animal’s care has breached their duty of care, you may be eligible for a public liability claim for personal injury compensation.
Getting the right advice from an experienced animal attack lawyer will help you understand your rights and the process of making a successful claim.
Claiming an animal attack can be legally complex and time-consuming. Several laws may apply In Victoria, such as The Wrongs Act (1958) and The Domestic Animals Act (1994). Different laws and compensation may apply if the attack has occurred at work.
Common Animal Attack Claims
Dog bite injuries are the most common cause of animal attacks. A person who is in control of a dangerous non-guard dog that attacks or bites another person or animal is guilty of a criminal offence. This charge does not apply if the dog is a guard dog guarding non-residential premises.
When making a compensation claim, an experienced dog bite lawyer will consider many factors that may impact a claim. These include:
- Whether the dog was a restricted breed?
- Was it adequately registered with the local council?
- Had it been declared a dangerous dog?
- Was the animal properly fenced or under the control of the owner?
What compensation can I get for a dog bite injury?
If you have suffered any physical and psychological injuries and losses, compensation will be determined by the specific circumstances of your case. Generally, you will be able to claim for:
- medical costs and hospital expenses
- rehabilitation and ongoing treatment
- loss of earnings
- pain and suffering
- loss of enjoyment of life
- nursing or home assistance provided by anyone, paid or unpaid
As dog bite lawyers and compensation claim experts, Carbone Lawyers can give you a good indication of what to expect.
IMPORTANT
In many cases, the dog may be the pet of a friend, relative or neighbour, and the victim may be understandably reluctant to take action and demand financial compensation from someone they know. It’s important to understand that dog attack claims are made against the dog owner’s insurance company, not the individual. If this is a concern, please talk to the experienced dog attack lawyers at Carbone Lawyers, who will be able to address any concerns.
What to do if you have been attacked by a dog.
- Get medical treatment for your injuries. Give your doctor a detailed description of what happened.
- Note the address and time the attack happened. Include details of the dog’s breed, colouring, and size. Get details of the owner, including things like their car registration number.
- If possible, photograph the dog and the location of the attack.
- Get details of anyone who witnessed the attack.
- Report the attack and injury to your local council. It is best to do this in writing and keep a record of the letter and any responses you receive. Get copies of any incident reports or other documents created by the council for your case.
- If the attack is severe, report it to your local police station.
- Keep detailed medical treatment records, time off work and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Contact a Personal Injury Law firm like Carbone Lawyers, with expert dog bite lawyers on their team.