Dogs can be loving, life-long companions. However, they can also pose a danger to others when they feel scared, provoked, or threatened. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, the experience can be traumatic and result in serious consequences.
In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (1990) holds dog owners liable for any harm their pet causes. This means that victims of dog attacks may be eligible to seek compensation for their injuries by filing a legal claim against the owner. Taking immediate action after your attack can help you protect both your health and your legal right to compensation. Below, we explain the steps you should follow when you’re involved in an incident with another person’s dog in Ontario.
At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, our Toronto dog bite lawyers have years of experience helping injured clients pursue compensation. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your legal options if you have been injured by a dog. For a free case review, you can call our Toronto office at 905-265-1005 or fill out our online contact form. We help clients across Ontario.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Dog bites and attacks can be traumatic physically, emotionally, and financially. When you are injured by a dog, you should prioritize your health and seek medical help immediately. To do so, you can:
- Call 911 or emergency services if the injuries you have sustained are serious
- Seek medical attention from a doctor or primary care physician
- Report your incident to the police in your region (especially if you required care in the hospital). If you’re located in Toronto, you can call 311 for non-emergency services and to file a report.
- Ensure that any wounds that broke the skin are cleaned and treated immediately to reduce your risk of infection
When you see a doctor about a dog bite injury, they can assess whether you’ve contracted a serious infection like rabies or tetanus and treat you for it. They can also provide a wound severity diagnosis after examining your injuries. Determining the severity of your wound is important, as the level of damage may affect the compensation you’re entitled to.
The severity levels in Ontario are:
- Level 0: Obnoxious or aggressive behaviour, but no contact with the animal.
- Level 1: Superficial bites or skin contact by teeth, but no puncture wounds.
- Level 2: One to four punctures resulting from a single bite, but no deep punctures (less than half of the length of the dog’s canine teeth).
- Level 3: One to four punctures from a single bite with at least 1 deep puncture wound.
- Level 4: Multiple bites with at least two level 3 bites. Also includes severe injuries that result from the attack (such as a bone fracture).
- Level 5: Dog bite or attack resulting in death for the recipient.
Obtaining medical documentation of your injuries and a doctor’s report that diagnoses your wound severity can be helpful for filing a legal claim against the dog owner. It’s important to note that any injury caused by a dog attack, even if it was not a bite, may be grounds for a dog bite claim in the province.
Step 2: Gather Information From the Incident
To support your legal (or insurance) claim, you should gather as much information about the incident as possible. If your injuries are not particularly severe or do not require hospitalization, you may even do so at the scene of the attack. Some evidence you should consider collecting includes:
- The name and contact details of the owner
- The rabies vaccination history of the dog that attacked you, if you were bitten
- The names and contact information of any witnesses who were present at the time of the attack
- Photos/videos of your injuries, the dog, and the location of the attack (if safe to do so)
- Your observations about the dog’s breed, size, colour, name, or other information
- The date, time, and exact location of the accident
The more details you include in your report to the police, to 311, or local animal control, the better. If you are transported to the hospital immediately after the attack, make sure that you report the bite or attack as soon as possible after your injuries are treated. You can also report your attack online (if it took place in Toronto).
Step 3. Consult a Dog Bite Lawyer in Ontario
Because Ontario law holds dog owners strictly responsible for the harm their pets cause, there is a good chance that you’ll be entitled to pursue compensation following a serious dog attack. Owners can be held accountable for the actions of their dog even if the dog has no recorded history of aggression. A personal injury lawyer in Ontario will be able to assess the circumstances of your incident and help you file a dog bite claim.
Your lawyer can demonstrate the owner’s liability for your injuries using the evidence you gathered from the scene and the reports you obtained from the police and/or your doctor. After filing your claim (lawsuit), your lawyer may be able to negotiate a fair settlement with the dog owner privately. If you’re unable to reach an agreement with the owner, a legal professional can also represent you in court. During this process, they’ll present evidence of the physical, emotional, or financial toll the dog attack had on your life and argue for the compensation you deserve.
There are several damages that you can pursue compensation for during a dog bite claim. These include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Expenses for in-home care or ongoing treatment
- Lost wages or loss of earning potential
- Adjusted living expenses
- Pain and suffering
- And more
Consulting with a personal injury lawyer immediately after your incident can help relieve the burden of navigating a legal claim while also attempting to recover from your injuries. A lawyer will know what documentation you need to collect and any relevant deadlines you may need to meet. In Ontario, the statute of limitations for dog bite claims is generally 2 years from the date of the incident.
Hurt by a Dog in Ontario? Contact Goodman Elbassiouni LLP Today
If you’re suffering as a result of a dog attack, you deserve compensation for the effects it has had on your life. In Ontario, you can hold owners legally responsible for their dogs’ actions. By seeking prompt medical care, assembling documentation, and seeking legal support as soon as possible, you can support your health and rights to the fullest extent.
At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, our Toronto personal injury lawyers are committed to helping injury victims pursue the compensation they need to recover. If you’ve been bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog, don’t wait. Contact our team for a free consultation today.