Dog Bites/Injuries Lawyers Medicine Hat
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Dog attacks are on the rise across the country, and indeed, throughout the world. The consequences of these attacks can be life-changing, profound, and even deadly.
Depending on the age and physical condition of the victims, dog attacks can be fatal. Infants, toddlers, small children, and senior citizens are particularly susceptible to fatal injuries as the result of an encounter with an aggressive dog. However, regardless of age, anyone can lose their lives or sustain severe injuries after being attacked by someone else’s dog.
In addition to causing victims to suffer lacerations, broken bones, scars, and other physical disfigurements, dog bites have the potential to spread infectious diseases to humans. These potentially life-threatening infections can include:
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Endocarditis
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
- Pasteurella
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- And possibly more
On top of suffering adverse physical consequences, many survivors of dog attacks often develop profound mental health concerns as a result of their traumatizing encounter with a violent animal. These mental health issues can have long-lasting practical and financial repercussions, especially if they prevent the attack victim from continuing to perform the duties of their jobs. Some of the mental health issues frequently developed by the victims of dog attacks include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
- Insomnia and other sleep disorders
- Alcohol and/or substance abuse disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in relation to disfigurement or physical scarring
- And more
If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, you may be able to recover compensation. In accordance with the province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act, the people who own or control access to commercial and residential properties have a responsibility to their guests. As such, property owners must take reasonable measures to keep their guests safe from harm on their premises. If the property owner in question also has a pet dog, they must take precautions to ensure it does not bite, maul, or otherwise attack another human
If a dog owner fails to prevent their dog from attacking another person on their property, their insurance provider might be responsible for compensating the injured victims. However, insurers do not always make it easy for the injured victims of dog attacks to recover the compensation they deserve.
That is why it is so important to consult with our Medicine Hat dog bite lawyers. If you are entitled to take legal action, our dog bite lawyers serving Medicine Hat may be able to stand up for your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve. To learn more about working with our Medicine Hat dog bite lawyers, contact us today.
Do Not Pay Unless We Win
After being injured by a dog, it is important to contact Alberta Animal Services bylaw enforcement. It is also important to receive legal feedback on your case.
Our dog bite lawyers serving Medicine Hat offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. On top of that, Preszler Injury Lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis. That means our clients do not pay unless we win their case.
To learn more about working with our Medicine Hat dog bite lawyers and the ways in which we may be able to assist you, contact us today to book your free initial consultation.
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Proud to be one of Canada’s oldest personal injury law firms. The firm was founded in 1959 and has now grown to numerous offices across Canada. We have cumulatively secured over $1 billion for thousands of Canadians and are proud to maintain a high standard for our professional services without compromising on care or compassion.
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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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