Dog bite injuries can leave an individual with serious physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If you are facing this situation, it is in your best interest to consider your legal options. Our skilled Toronto dog bite lawyer is here to help you obtain the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
What is Ontario’s dog bite laws?
You will want to recognize that Ontario has very stringent laws when it comes to dog attacks. In other words, the Ontario Dog Owners’ Liability Act declares that if a dog bites a person, the dog’s owner is held strictly liable for any damages the bitten person has sustained as a result of the attack, whether there was knowledge by the dog owner of a propensity for violence or not. With that being said, if the dog owner can prove that you instigated or prompted the attack in some way, such as by teasing the dog or trespassing on the dog owner’s property, you may receive a reduced amount of damages awarded in proportion to the extent to which you contributed to the attack. Additionally, after a dog bite, it is critical that you receive immediate medical treatment, as you may require stitches, a rabies shot, and more. If possible, you should also attempt to document the incident by taking pictures, asking witnesses for their contact information, calling the police, and more.
How can I acquire compensation after a dog bite?
Dog bites can be very traumatic, both physically and emotionally, which is why you are allowed to pursue legal action for two types of damages in your personal injury claim: economic damages and non-pecuniary damages. Economic damages refer to the economic cost of your accident, for example, the cost of medical bills you had to pay to treat your injury, while non-pecuniary damages deal with the emotional impacts you have faced as a result of your accident, such as emotional distress, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. It is important to recognize that in order to obtain financial compensation after a dog bite, you will have to file your claim within two years of the date of the incident, in agreement with Ontario’s statute of limitations.
Reach out to our firm today to retain the services of an experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer. Our legal team will be able to ensure that you meet each of your claim’s important deadlines. We are on your side. Give us a call today to get started.
Contact Our Experienced Toronto Personal Injury Firm
If you have been injured in an accident due to no fault of your own, you need a lawyer who truly cares about your best interests. Contact a Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer at Merricks Law Group today.
