Can you claim compensation for being knocked down by a dog?
If you have been knocked down by a dog and would like to know if you can claim compensation, then contact our specialist team for a free case assessment on freephone 0808 139 1606 or by emailing us at [email protected]
We recently recovered £20,000 for a woman who was knocked down by a dog, after her previous solicitors told her they couldn’t help.
Our client, Ms J, and her partner were the keepers of a female dog used for breeding by the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Their friend Ms B also kept a breeding dog. Both dogs were owned by Guide Dogs for the Blind.
One day, the three ladies were walking their dogs together. Ms J’s dog was let off lead, shortly followed by Ms B’s dog. Ms B’s dog, a Golden Retriever, ran out of sight. When her dog returned, it did so at speed and ran straight into the back of Ms J, who landed heavily on her shoulder.
Ms J approached a personal injury solicitor for advice about claiming compensation for being knocked down by a dog.
The solicitors made a claim to the insurers for Guide Dog for the Blind Association. However the insurers denied that the organisation was legally liable. The solicitors told Ms J they were unable to take her case any further.
Ms J therefore contacted Jasmine Moxey-Butler who specialises in dog related injury claims. Jasmine advised that compensation could be claimed for being knocked down by a dog if it could be established that the owner/keeper was at fault. After reviewing the facts of the case Jasmine offered to take on the claim and work on a no win – no fee basis.
Medical evidence was obtained from both an orthopaedic surgeon and consultant clinical psychologist. Both parties also obtained reports from canine behaviourists.
The insurance company continued to deny responsibility, so court proceedings were commenced.
Two weeks before the case was due to go to trial the insurers decided to negotiate, and a settlement was reached, with our client receiving £20,000.
Ms J was delighted with the outcome, complimenting the ‘excellent’ service she had received from us, adding, “Nothing was too much trouble, and due to Jasmine’s persistence my claim was settled out of court.”