Have you been injured in a dog attack?
In the last twelve months, Allan McDougall Solicitors has recovered damages totalling tens of thousands of pounds for individuals who were injured in dog attacks in Scotland.
You may wonder how a case for compensation can be pursued if you are attacked or bitten by someone’s pet dog? In fact, the law in Scotland is very clear – the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987 states that the keeper of a dog is liable in law for such an attack. It should be noted that “keeper” is not necessarily the same as owner. For example, if a dog bites someone while being walked or cared for by a professional walker or while in doggy day care then, in law, that professional will be regarded as the “keeper”.
Dog bites can be serious, with both physical and psychological consequences and are some of the most distressing cases that we have dealt with at Allan McDougall Solicitors over the years.
If you consult us following a dog attack, what would the procedure for a compensation claim involve?
We would obtain a full statement from you covering all the details of the incident, the injuries suffered and the full effects of the attack on you. We’ll speak to any necessary witnesses. We then submit a claim to the keeper of the animal. Most cases will then follow a compulsory protocol procedure where strict time limits apply. The keeper must pass the claim immediately to their insurance company. For most dog owners, this will be their household insurers. For a professional dog walker, or pet carer, this may be their public liability insurance. The insurance company must state within three months whether liability is accepted. In our experience, as the terms of the Act are so clear, in the vast majority of cases liability is admitted.
We build evidence of the injuries (both physical and psychological) sustained along with all financial losses suffered. In dog attack cases, this will regularly involve professional photography, expert medical evidence from plastic surgeons or other medical consultants as appropriate and sometimes also the involvement of further expert witnesses if there are significant financial losses such as extensive impact on earnings. If the insurers won’t settle the case on good terms them, we will take them to Court.
We deal with all such cases on a No Win No Fee basis and guide you carefully through the process at every step.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite or attack and want approachable, expert advice, please contact us.
Contact us
- Email us
- Call our personal injury claims team free on 0808 560 0872
- Arrange a callback by using our enquiry form
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