Langley City Dog Bite Lawyer
Even after a dog bite injury heals, the trauma from the attack can result in permanent psychological trauma. This is especially true when a child is a victim because they may never feel comfortable around dogs ever again. Many victims experience a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. In addition, these injuries may never fully heal, and the victim is left with disfigurement, scarring, nerve damage, or other issues.
Our dog bite law firm can help you receive compensation for your injuries. For more than half a century, we have protected the rights of and fought for injured clients.
The one-bite rule
In British Columbia, every dog is permitted “one bite” before the animal is deemed dangerous and the owner liable. Under a legal doctrine known as the law of Scienter, the dog’s owner must have knowledge that the dog would bite or attack– to be held liable.
There are certain exceptions to this one-bite rule:
- Owners may lie about the fact that their dog has previously bitten, which means they are liable if this aggression history is provable.
- Even if the dog had never bitten someone before, the one-bite rule is not valid if there is evidence that the dog growled or otherwise behaved aggressively toward a person even if a bite did not occur.
Negligence
Dog bites often result from negligence on the part of the owner. For example, if the attack happened when a neighbour passed the dog, and its owner on the street, and the dog lunged and bit– the owner may be negligent in their ability to control their animal.
Negligence may also occur when the owner fails to keep the door to their home or the gate to their yard closed, and the dog escapes.
What to do after a dog bite
Report any dog bite incident to the police, as well as to local animal control. It is the job of the latter to investigate the incident. Seek immediate medical attention, even if the bite seems minor. If the teeth broke the skin, bacteria from the wound may enter the bloodstream and cause a serious infection.
If possible, use your cellphone to photograph the dog, the accident scene, and your wounds. Get the contact information of the owner and any eyewitnesses. If the dog is loose, write down its approximate size, colour, and any breed characteristics, such as a dog resembling an Alsatian or pitbull.
Contact our Preszler team of Langley City dog bite lawyers
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite, you have nothing to lose by contacting a Langley City personal injury lawyer at our firm. We could be your best ally in the pursuit of maximum damages. Call us 24/7 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. There is never a fee unless we win.
