Vancouver Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
While a dog’s companionship may bring significant joy into someone’s life, they are still animals that have the potential to act unexpectedly. When a dog bites a human being, there may be serious repercussions for all the parties involved. It is important to note here, that when a dog acts out in a vicious manner that results in injuries – it’s the dog owner who is liable. Most often, a dog’s negative behaviour is due to bad training or neglect from the owner’s part.
If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog in Vancouver or Seattle, you may be entitled to compensation. At Border Solutions Law Group, our personal injury lawyers may be able to assess your situation and work towards getting you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
Potential Consequences of a Bite
A bite or attack could cause life-changing injuries like permanent scarring, nerve damage, or disfigurement. It could result in infections and diseases like rabies, endocarditis, sepsis, and more.
A potentially traumatic experience, survivors of a dog bite or attack often face lasting emotional distress. Some psychological issues may include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- A lasting fear of dogs
- And more
Survivors may face significant financial losses as a result of extensive medical bills or an inability to return to work for a period of time. In short, even the most minor dog bite can impact your life forever.
First Steps after Being Bitten by a Dog
After being bitten by a dog, you should immediately seek medical attention. You should also get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner and anyone who witnessed the attack.
It is useful to write down all details of the incident as soon as possible, including the location, the dog’s behaviour before and after the attack, and a detailed overview of what happened. You should also take photos of your injuries.
You should also report the incident to Vancouver’s animal control office and provide them with as many details as possible. They will conduct their own investigation and contact the dog’s owners to ensure there is not another attack. At this point, you should also contact a personal injury lawyer and consider filing a dog bite claim.
Proving Liability or Negligence
For a pet owner to be considered liable for damages in a dog bite claim, their scienter must be proven. A legal term, scienter refers to an individual’s knowing of their own wrongdoing. It must be somehow proven that the dog had a violent disposition to some degree, and that the owner was or should have been aware of it.
Based on British Columbia’s “one bite rule”, this means that the dog owner will only be held liable if they knew or should have reasonably known that their dog was likely to cause injury. If a dog has bitten before or exhibited violent behaviour, the owner is then “on notice” that the dog is dangerous and will thus be held liable if they cause injury to someone in the future.
You may also be able to argue that the owner was negligent. For example, if you were bitten by a dog who was not leashed in an area where they should have been, the owner could be at fault.
If the bite occurred on the owner’s property, they may also be found negligent under the Occupiers Liability Act, which states that pet owners owe their guests a duty of care. They must take reasonable precautions to keep their visitors out of harm’s way – such as implementing preventative measures to keep them safe from a dangerous dog. If it is proven that they did not do so, the owner may be held responsible for all resulting damages sustained by the dog bite victim.
Speak to Our Vancouver Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog in Vancouver and have sustained injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. An attack can have lasting mental and physical impacts for which the owner may be held liable. At Border Solutions Law Group, our hardworking personal injury lawyers may be able to help you file a dog bite claim suited to your unique situation. Take the next steps and contact us to schedule a consultation.