Dog Bites/Injuries Lawyers Canmore
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Certain people are more vulnerable to serious injuries as the result of a dog attack. Infants, toddlers, small children, and the elderly are particularly susceptible to severe or even fatal injuries after being bitten, mauled, or otherwise attacked by a violent dog.
However, regardless of age or physical condition, anyone can be seriously impacted by an unanticipated dog attack. Dog attacks can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement, physical injuries, and long-lasting psychological trauma. Severe, life-threatening infections can also be transmitted to humans via dog bites. These include:
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Endocarditis
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
- Pasteurella
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- And possibly more
After being injured in a dog attack, it can be difficult to know which actions to take to ensure that all injuries and infections are assessed and addressed in a timely manner, and that the dog in question will not harm another person. That is why it is important to report all dog bites to Alberta Animal Services Bylaw Enforcement.
Although they are known as “man’s best friend,” even the friendliest dog has the capacity to seriously injure another individual when they unexpectedly bite or attack. Recovering from these injuries – whether they are physical or psychological – can be costly, requiring various forms of ongoing treatments and injury-related expenses. And while it is impossible to blame an animal for their behaviour, someone must be held accountable for their actions.
The people who own and/or control access to commercial or residential properties owe a duty of care to the people who visit their premises. Their responsibilities to the safety of guests and other rightful visitors to the property are outlined in the province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act. If a property occupier has a dog on their premises, they are required to take necessary safety precautions to ensure the people visiting the property will not be bitten, mauled, or otherwise attacked by their dangerous animal. Failure to take preventative measures to protect other people’s safety could be considered negligence.
Many people who have been bitten by dogs while visiting someone else’s property have personal, pre-existing relationships with the occupier of the premises. This might make injured victims of a dog attack hesitant to seek legal advice about their case, for fear of starting a conflict with a friend, relative, or neighbour. However, since all property owners should have liability insurance, damages incurred by visitors during a dog attack should be covered by the occupier’s insurance policy.
If you were the victim of a dog attack on someone else’s property, our Canmore dog bite lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact us today and schedule a free initial consultation with our dog bite lawyers serving Canmore.
Contact Us Today – Do Not Wait
During a free initial consultation, our Canmore dog bite lawyers can review the circumstances of your situation and provide case-specific advice about options for financial recovery that might be available to you. Our dog bite lawyers serving Canmore work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay unless we win.
Even if you are unsure whether you might be able to receive compensation for your injuries, you might benefit from a free initial consultation with Preszler Injury Lawyers. To learn more, contact our dog bite lawyers serving Canmore today.
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Commonly Asked dog bite Questions
Here are our most asked questions on dog bite claims.
What should I do after I get attacked by a dog?
After you are safe and medically attended to, you need to secure the identity of the dog and its owner or handler. You also need to secure the contact details of any witnesses and report the attack to the local animal control.
What are the most common injuries from a dog attack?
Puncture wounds and crush injuries are common and can lead to infections. In addition, people who are attacked by dogs often fall down and can suffer broken bones and other serious injuries in the fall. The psychological consequences of a dog attack can also be significant and can cause psychological injury.
Who is responsible for a dog attack?
Dog attack laws are technical and complex. Unfortunately, in some cases, no one is responsible for a dog attack, particularly if the dog has never attacked anyone before. If the dog has attacked people before or displayed violent tendencies, then the owner or handler of the dog may be responsible.
How do I hold a dog owner responsible for a dog bite?
First, you must identify who they are. Then, you must prove that their dog had a propensity for violence and that the owner knew of that propensity or that they were otherwise negligent. This may require witnesses of a previous incident involving the dog.
How do I succeed in a dog attack case?
To succeed in a dog attack case, you must prove liability and damages. To prove liability, you must prove that the owners or handlers of the dog knew the dog was violent before it bit you or were otherwise negligent. To prove damages, you must prove you were injured and suffered losses either through pain and suffering or financially.
When should I contact a lawyer after a dog bite?
You should contact a lawyer as soon as you can. Dog bite cases are legalistic and technical. If the correct evidence is not located and preserved, then you may not be able to locate the responsible party or prove liability.
How can a personal injury lawyer help me with a dog attack?
A personal injury lawyer can help with your claim by handling the technical and legal aspects of your claim. This frees you up to do the most important job, going to treatment and getting better.
How much can I sue for in a dog attack case in Alberta?
The amount of money available depends on how injured you are and how those injuries affect things like your job or medical expenses. Cases where a dog attack causes you to miss substantial amounts of work will be worth more than cases that don’t affect your work.
Can I still sue if I only have minor physical injuries from a dog attack?
Yes, there is no minor injury cap in dog bite claims. It is important to be fully aware of the full consequences of a dog attack. For example, someone with minor physical injuries may suffer significant psychological injuries from the same attack.
Can I sue if a dog attack resulted in damage to my property but not me?
Yes, though the liability analysis may change depending on what happened in the dog attack. Cases for property damage are generally less serious and substantial than those for personal injury, though this is not an absolute rule.
What kind of compensation can I get from a dog attack?
The types of compensation you can get from a dog attack are similar to other types of personal injury claims. They include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Past wage loss;
- Future wage loss;
- Out-of-pocket expenses;
- Expected cost of care; and
- Loss of housekeeping capacity.
What is included in the definition of a dog attack?
A dog attack is not a technical term and can refer to many types of dog incidents. Dog bites are the most common. Dogs injure people in other ways, too. Sometimes, an aggressive dog will knock someone to the ground and cause injury in the fall. These, too, would fall under the definition of a dog attack.
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