Dogs provide companionship that enriches the lives of many families and individuals. However, a dog bite injury can be painful, traumatic and life-altering. At Watermans, our dog bite solicitors can support you through the legal process to claim the compensation you deserve.
"Dealt with my claim quickly and efficiently. I was unsure of a lot of things so my handler made sure to explain them thoroughly to me. Very helpful and successful with my claim. Would definitely recommend."
S Little, Personal Injury Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered injury as a result of a dog bite within the last three years,
you may be entitled to dog bite compensation.
It is possible to claim compensation for dog attack injuries in public places,
as well as in someone’s home.
At Watermans, our specialist team of personal injury solicitors has expertise
in handling dog bite compensation claims.
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting the resolution you need
and providing straightforward legal advice. It should be that simple.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs can behave unpredictably, 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 behaviours such as growling, barking or 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 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 mental injuries.
A peer-reviewed study on Scottish hospital data found that dog bite and strike admissions in Scotland nearly tripled between 1997 and 2022, rising from 5.9 to 17.2 per 100,000 population. Children under 18 accounted for over a quarter of all admissions during that period. Under the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987, a keeper of an animal may be liable for injury or damage caused by that animal, even where there has been no previous sign of dangerous behaviour. This is a key piece of Scots law governing dog bite attack compensation claims in Scotland.
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 (such as a dog walker or sitter).
At Watermans, our dog attack solicitors specialise in handling these cases. Contact us today to start your dog bite compensation claim.
Types of Dog Injury Claims
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 compensation claim. 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:
If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, our experienced dog bite solicitors are here to help. Call us on 0131 555 7055 for straightforward legal advice.
Making a Claim
To ensure a successful claim, it helps to take the following steps as soon as possible after the incident:
If your claim is successful, any payout will typically come from the dog owner’s pet or household insurance. Most home insurance policies include third-party liability cover, which can extend to dog attacks. So even if the owner does not have dedicated pet insurance, they may still be covered.
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.
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:
The value of a claim can vary significantly. A minor injury, such as a superficial bite, may attract a more modest award. Where an injury involves nerve damage, disfigurement, or lasting physical effects, the settlement figure can be substantially higher. Our experienced solicitors will give you a realistic picture of what your case may be worth before you proceed.
For a rough idea of what your dog bite claim could be worth, try our claims calculator. It’s a useful starting point, though the actual amount will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.
Why Watermans?
Watermans makes legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life. We cut through the 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 best possible 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.
We hold a 4.9/5 rating from over 1,300 reviews on Review Solicitors, reflecting the quality of service our clients receive throughout the claims process.
Our expert personal injury solicitors handle a variety of cases, including:
Contact us today if you’ve been bitten by a dog due to someone else’s negligence.
Our dog bite lawyers are here to help you make a claim and get the justice you deserve.
There’s a three-year time limit to make a compensation claim after a dog bite accident or any other personal injury. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have three years following the date of your accident to start the claims process.
In fact, you are required to have raised a court action or settled your claim within this three-year time frame. There are some exceptions to this rule, so we advise having an initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers for dog bites as soon as possible.
The length of time it takes to settle a dog bite claim will depend on several factors, such as the complexity of the case and whether liability is disputed.
Here are some factors that can influence the duration of a dog bite compensation claim:
To get a better understanding of how long your dog bite claim may take to settle, seek specialist advice from a Watermans personal injury solicitor. We will assess the details of your case and provide a more accurate estimate based on our experience handling similar claims.
We believe that everyone should have access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer our services on a no-win, no-fee basis for dog bite claims and other personal injury cases.
When you contact us about your dog attack compensation claim, we will provide free initial advice. This will allow us to assess your case and provide guidance on the best course of action.
Yes, you can, though the process might be more complex. While some dog breeds are considered dangerous, police dogs are specially trained to follow the orders of their handlers. It is also the handler’s responsibility to keep the dog under control. If you feel the police officer was negligent or the dog was out of control, you may be eligible for special damages compensation.
Yes, it may still be possible to pursue a dog bite compensation claim even if the dog owner does not have pet insurance or household insurance. In these cases, a claim can be made directly against the dog owner’s personal assets.
If the attack was a deliberate or criminal act, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme may also provide an avenue for compensation. In extreme cases where recovery appears difficult, our team will advise you honestly on the prospects before you commit to the claims process. We will always be clear about your options.
Don’t let a dog bite injury define the next chapter in your life.
Request a callback from our dog bite solicitors today to secure the financial support you need to move forward.
The figures quoted are a rough guide to show you the amount you could receive as compensation for your injury. Our solicitors will advise you in more detail about your specific claim.
Your claim could be worth...
Claim Worth
The figures quoted are a rough guide to show you the amount you could receive as compensation for your injury. Our solicitors will advise you in more detail about your specific claim.
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and making that process straightforward. Start the process by sending us your details below or calling us on 0131 555 7055
“Making a claim for compensation can be such a daunting process for people, so I try to make it as straightforward and easy to understand as I can for them.”
Susanne McGraw, Head of Personal Injury
