Any legal claim you make after a dog injures you will depend on the evidence you have. Clear evidence of what happened, how badly the dog injured you and who was responsible for the dog at the time will help your solicitor in Liverpool review your case and advise you on what to do next.
Medical evidence
If you are bitten by a dog, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible after that. Animal bites can get infected and deeper wounds can need urgent treatment.
Getting early treatment also creates an official record of your injury. This record can prove how serious the bite or wound was, what treatment you needed and whether the injury may leave lasting effects like scarring or even PTSD.
Photos
You should take clear photographs of your injury and the location where the attack took place. Photos of torn or bloodstained clothing and anything nearby that can help explain how the incident happened will also help your case.
Who was in control of the dog?
A legal claim also needs to connect the attack to the correct person. This is not always only the dog’s owner. It could also be the person who was looking after the dog or the person who was in charge of the dog at the time of the attack.
Your solicitor will therefore want to collect as much information as possible about both the dog and the person responsible for it. The clearer the connection is between the dog, the attack and the person in control, the more likely your claim is to succeed.
Witnesses and official reports
Independent witnesses can be very helpful if anyone disputes what happened. A witness who saw the attack can back up your version of events.
Reporting the incident to the police or the local council’s dog warden service should also help. Official reports like these can also strengthen the case because they show that the authorities took the incident seriously from the start.
Proof of financial loss
Compensation can cover several different types of loss, including lost earnings, medical expenses, pain and suffering and the cost of any ongoing care you may need.
Your lawyer may need proof of the money you have lost or spent because of the incident to claim for these losses. This can include evidence of time off work, treatment costs, travel expenses or any care and support you have needed since the attack. Organised records can clearly show what the injury has cost you.
Are you looking for legal advice after a dog bite?
If you were injured in a dog attack and want to know if you may be able to make a compensation claim, Stallard Solicitors is here to help. Our team can advise you on the evidence you need and guide you through the claims process.Contact us with any questions and we will get in touch to discuss your situation.
