We Can Help You Recover
A sudden animal attack can be terrifying. It can come without warning, and cause dreadful personal injuries. It can strike your loved ones and children. Regardless of if the animal was mistreated, vicious, or wild, not only is there a risk of physical injury, but also disease.
Most animal and dog bites are against children. While there are cases where the animal was provoked, they are far outnumbered by attacks during normal interaction with the animal, or where there was no provocation at all.
The most common personal injuries after an animal or dog attack are:
- Bites to the head and neck, hands and forearms, legs and feet. These can be very dangerous, as the animal may have a disease such as rabies, or the bite could sever a major artery.
- Cuts and lacerations to the face and upper extremities.
- Bruising and abrasions to the face, along with the upper and lower extremities.
When Do I Need a Lawyer After an Animal or Dog Bite?
In Ontario, many of your initial medical expenses after suffering a personal injury, such as surgical procedures and hospital stays, are paid by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, or OHIP. But there are costs that OHIP does not cover, such as drugs, long-term expenses, caregiver costs, or loss of income during your recovery time.
In cases of an animal or dog bite, the owner of the dog is fully responsible by default for the dog’s actions, and if they are a homeowner, compensation will most likely be paid out of their insurance after a personal injury claim. If they do not have insurance, however, or if the animal bite was from a wild animal, you will have to rely on compensation from your own insurance policy, if you happen to have one. A personal injury lawyer can help facilitate these processes, ensuring that your claim is filed on time and with the correct paperwork, and serving as your advocate if the owner of the animal refuses to settle or the insurance company denies your claim on a technicality.
The best way to know what compensation is due, and how to get it, is to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified personal injury lawyer can determine where compensation will most likely come from, ensure that your documents are in order, that you are receiving the correct amount of compensation if you need to rely on your own insurance, that a settlement offer is reasonable after a lawsuit has begun, and, if it becomes necessary, represent you in court to get the justice you deserve.
What Should I Do After an Animal or Dog Bite?
For best results after suffering a personal injury due to an animal or dog bite – either for an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit – there are a number of steps you should take as soon as possible:
- Seek immediate medical aid, and ensure that your injuries and treatment are documented. This should include vaccinations and anti-rabies shots.
- Contact the police and report the animal attack. Then, ensure that you get their report.
- Further document the animal attack – this includes finding witnesses, discovering the identity of the owner of the animal, and taking pictures of the location.
- If you have insurance covering loss of income due to accident, file a claim as soon as possible.
- Document how your life has been impacted after the attack. This includes any pain and suffering due to your personal injuries, no matter how small, as well as any impairment to your daily routine, from work to recreation.
Why Lerners after an Animal or Dog Bite?
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury after being attacked by an animal, Lerners Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our qualified lawyers have the experience with personal injury claims and animal control law you need to help you or your loved ones navigate the legal landscape, figure out where you should be going for compensation, and help you get what you need and deserve. And if you cannot come to us – if you are recovering in the hospital or at home and are unable to travel – we will come to you, as well as provide a free initial consultation.