Liability for Dog Bite Injuries in British Columbia

Our lawyers have decades of experience with the investigation and proof of liability and damages in dog bite cases.

Our first objective in dog bite cases is to make sure that the person bitten gets timely and effective medical treatment for physical injury and psychological trauma. In serious dog attacks, severe nerve damage, soft tissue injury and muscle tears can present a risk of permanent harm. Scarring and disfigurement requiring one or several corrective surgical procedures are possible in the worst cases. Even less-serious animal attacks expose the victim to the risk of infection.

Our legal team works with your medical team to monitor your treatment and recovery to see whether any psychological problems have resulted from the attack. These can range from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to long-term fear of dogs that can create problems for the victim for years, especially when the person bitten is a child.

Compensation for Dog Bite Claims in BC

Once we establish the ownership of the animal involved in the attack, we can usually hold the owner or its insurer liable for the injuries. Animal owners are responsible for protecting others from the harm their pets can cause. Only rarely will the owner defending the claim defeat it because there was no way to tell or reasonably foresee that the animal was dangerous.

More commonly, the defences in a dog bite case will involve such circumstances as trespass, provocation or negligent supervision of a small child. Murphy Battista’s experience with the investigation and proof of disputed personal injury claims provides an important advantage in establishing your right to compensation in a dog bite case.

To learn more about Murphy Battista’s approach in dog bite and animal attack cases and the client services we provide, contact us for a free consultation.