Dog Bite Solicitors — Scotland

Dog Bite Injuries 

Causes of dog bite injuries

Dogs can be unpredictable in their behaviour towards both humans and other animals, even if they have never shown signs of aggression before.

As social creatures with a strong pack hierarchy, dogs instinctively seek structure. If they are uncertain about their place within the human hierarchy, they will naturally try to assert themselves through growling, barking or even biting.

While dogs don’t operate by human standards of behaviour, sudden aggression often results from a dog’s owner failing to provide proper care or training. Poor socialisation, mistreatment, or fear can contribute to aggressive behaviour.

Dog bite injury claims

Dog owners are responsible for monitoring their dogs’ behaviour in public places and ensuring they are properly trained. Unfortunately, some people encourage their dogs to be aggressive, leading to severe physical and mentally disabling dog attack injuries.

If you or someone you know has experienced a dog attack, you may be able to claim dog bite compensation. This applies to dog attacks in public or at someone’s home. The claim may be made against the dog’s owner or the person responsible for the animal at the time of the attack, such as a dog walker or dog sitter.

At Watermans, our dog bite injury lawyers specialise in handling these cases. Contact us today to start your dog bite compensation claim.

Types of Dog Injury Claims 

Can I make a dog bite compensation claim?

If you’ve been bitten by a dog or suffered any injury due to a dog bite incident, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Our expert personal injury solicitors have extensive experience handling various dog bite cases and animal injury claims. We can help you if you have suffered from:

• Dog bites or attacks – If you have been bitten by a dog in a public place or on private property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The most common injuries caused by dog bites include puncture wounds, scars, and even broken bone injuries.
• Children bitten by dogs – Dog attacks on minors have far worse consequences due to their smaller body size and weight. They may suffer serious injuries, including permanent scarring or neurological damage such as neurapraxia and neurotmesis. If your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog, you can claim on their behalf.
• Injuries caused by dangerous dogs – Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, certain dog breeds are classified as dangerous. If you have been injured by a dog covered by this legislation, you may have a stronger case for compensation.
• Injuries to workers – Being bitten by a dog while working on private property, such as making a delivery or providing care services, may make you eligible to claim compensation from the owner of the dog.
• Road traffic accidents caused by dogs – If a dog has caused a road traffic accident, such as by running into the road and causing a cyclist or motorist to swerve or crash, you may be able to seek compensation under the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987.
• Injuries caused by livestock – Should a dog frighten livestock like cows or horses, resulting in injury to you, the dog owner may be held liable for your damages.
• Criminal injuries caused by dogs – If you have been injured by a dog due to criminal intent, you may seek compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
• Psychological injuries resulting from dog attacks – A dog attack can be terrifying and may lead to PTSD or anxiety. If you’ve suffered psychological trauma, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
• Fatal injuries caused by dog attacks – In rare cases, dog attacks can result in fatal injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to a dog attack, we can assist in securing compensation.

Making a Claim

How do I make a dog bite injury claim?

The effects of a dog bite attack can be painful, long-lasting, and psychologically damaging.  If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a dog bite within the last three years, you may be able to claim compensation.

To ensure a successful claim, you may have to follow some of these steps:

• Seek medical attention – Immediately after the dog bite incident, get medical help for your injuries. Your medical records will serve as evidence in your claim. Keep track of any medical fees you incur, which may be recoverable as part of your compensation.
• Gather evidence – Obtain the owner’s contact details, witness statements and photographs of your injuries.
• Report the incident – If the dog bite was a criminal offence, such as a deliberate attack, report it to the police and obtain a crime reference number. Even if it was not a criminal offence, reporting the incident helps create a record and may protect potential future victims.
• Follow the CICA process – In cases where the dog bite resulted from a criminal act, your solicitor will also assist you in claiming criminal injury compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

The majority of dog owners will have home or pet insurance. If your dog bite compensation claim is successful, the payout should be from the dog owner’s insurance company.

Watermans services include no hidden fees for a dog bite claim, just straightforward legal support when you need it most. We also offer free initial consultations. You can expect expert advice from our dog bite claims solicitors without worrying about legal costs.

How much compensation can I claim for a dog bite injury?

Compensation for dog attack accidents in Scotland is awarded on a case-by-case basis. The amount you could receive depends on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors, like loss of earnings or psychological trauma.

The compensation you may be entitled to includes:

• Medical expenses – Your injuries may require extensive medical treatment, including plastic surgery, rehabilitation, or therapy. Any medical expenses related to your dog injuries will be considered for compensation.
• Lost wages – If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you can seek compensation for your lost wages. This includes any future loss of earnings due to the impact of the incident on your ability to work.
• Pain and suffering – You can seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the dog attack, including long-term effects, such as scarring or PTSD.
• Travel expenses – If you have incurred travel costs while receiving medical treatment for your injuries, these can be included in your claim for financial compensation.
• Care and assistance – If you have required care and assistance from family members or professionals during your recovery, these costs can be included in your compensation.

At Watermans, our dog bite injury claims solicitors will fully investigate your case, ensuring you get maximum compensation.

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my personal injury claim?

Watermans makes legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life. Unlike other leading firms, we strip away the unnecessary complexity and speak in a way that’s clear and approachable—because dealing with a lawyer shouldn’t feel like a chore.

Our specialist dog bite accident lawyers are committed to making the claims process as simple as possible. We take care of everything, allowing you to focus on what really matters—your recovery. Our goal is to secure the maximum level of compensation for your injuries while ensuring you get the support you need.

We also offer a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover promptly from your injuries and get your life back on track.

Trusted Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Accidents at work
• Public liability claims
• Road traffic accidents
• Fatal and serious injury claims
• Cases relating to abuse

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that if your dog bite claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.