Case study of compensation for dog bite claim.
Mrs E had dropped her daughter off at school and was walking home along a quiet London street. At one point she had to walk by a dog and its owner. The dog had been led on a lead and had come out of the owner’s nearby house. Mrs E said that the owner turned away and distracted as he opened his car door. As she drew level with the dog it jumped up and bit her breast. The bite caused Mrs E both physical and psychological injuries.
It can be unusual for dog bite compensation claims to go to trial, especially where the circumstances are as seemingly straightforward as in this case, but the Defendant denied liability throughout. Liability was denied on the basis that the dog had never shown any agression before and that Mrs E was on her phone at the time and therefore not looking where she was going.
Slee Blackwell obtained Mrs E’s phone records which showed she was not on the phone at the time she was bitten. We also obtained evidence to show that the dog was wearing a Haltee collar, which meant the owner had obvious concerns about control.
We had ensured that Mrs E had a specialist barrister on her side who fully understood the important and often confusing law associated with dog bite claims.
The judge accepted that even though the dog had never shown any aggressive tendencies, the dog owner was legally responsible. He awarded Mrs E compensation, which included an additional sum because the Defendant had previously rejected an offer for a lower amount.
If you want compensation for dog bite claim then contact our free legal helpline.