What is the average compensation for a dog bite?
For guidance on the amount of compensation for a dog bite call our free legal helpline on 0333 888 0435 or send us an email.
Everyone is different and we are all affected in different ways when we are bitten by a dog. The victim’s response to a dog bite has a direct impact on the amount of compensation that can be claimed. Financial losses also differ. If a dog bite means you can’t work then you can claim lost earnings. You can also claim back your out of pocket expenses, including medical costs. No two claims are ever the same, even where the injuries are similar. We therefore ensure that every dog bite claim is valued individually on a case-by-case basis. However, to give you a rough idea of the awards that are made and the average compensation for a dog bite we have listed below a number of dog bite claims we have handled and the compensation we have recovered.
As you only get one chance to make a claim it’s important to ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries and any losses you’ve suffered. That’s why it pays to instruct specialist solicitors who’ll get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us now for expert advice on recovering compensation for your dog bite injury.
One important factor in valuing a dog bite claim is the extent of your physical and psychological injuries. Awards of compensation are based upon medical evidence in the form of a written medical report prepared by a doctor or consultant. We will therefore arrange for you to be examined by an experienced medical expert. We believe that our clients should be seen by the very best medical experts in the UK so we have a list of preferred doctors, some of whom specialise in niche areas such as plastic surgery. These experts give us their opinion on the effect the injury has had on you and whether you are likely to continue to have problems in the future.
Dog bite compensation is particularly difficult to value because, as well as physical and psychological injuries, it can also often involve scarring. The amount of compensation paid for a scar depends very much on the victim and how they feel about the scarring. Factors such as age and gender as well as the location of the scar all have to be taken into account. This is why individual assessment by specialist solicitors is so crucial.
To give you an idea of how much your dog bite claim might be worth, here is a short selection of some of the dog bite claims our solicitors have dealt with:
- £22,000 was awarded to a three year old girl who suffered permanent scarring. Read on…
- A dog bite victim won £30,000 after his previous solicitors told him he had no claim. Read on…
- A Penzance dog bite victim was awarded £40,000 for a nose injury causing loss of smell. Read on…
- £50,000 awarded to a London estate agent left unable to face clients after a dog bite. Read more…
- An adverse reaction to dog bite injury medication leads to £36,000 compensation settlement after victim’s original solicitors rejected his claim. Read more…
- Welsh health worker paid £40,000 for a Staffordshire bull terrier face bite after switching to us. Read more…
- Hermes delivery driver awarded nearly £4,000 following a dog bite while making a delivery. Read more…
- Newcastle child dog bite victim recovered over £35,000 compensation after his original solicitors rejected his claim. Read more…
- Birmingham child bitten at a holiday caravan site awarded £45,000 for facial scarring. Read more…
- Ilford vet received nearly £40,000 after her employer failed to warn her of a dangerous dog. Read more…
- A woman bitten by a dog while out walking received £37,000. Read more…
- Student bitten by friend’s dog received £4,500 compensation. Read more…
- Birmingham mum awarded £25,000 for a dog attack. Read more…
- £4,400 compensation awarded for a dog bite claim that went to trial. Read more…
- A Reading labourer won £2,500 after a post box attack.Read more…
- An Eastbourne pensioner knocked to ground by dog was awarded £25,000. Read more…
- A woman who was knocked over by a bounding Newfoundland was awarded in excess of £10,000 for her injuries. Read more…
As you will see, the range of compensation varies enormously from case to case. This makes it difficult to say with any certainty what the average compensation is for a dog bite.
For further guidance the Judicial Studies Board have produced tables setting out the range of awards that can be made for specific types of injury. These compensation guidelines include:
- A disfiguring scar of legs or arms or hands or back or chest falls in the bracket of £6,870 to £19,930 for a male. Awards for females are usually higher.
- A single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars, of legs, or arms or hands, with some minor cosmetic impact attracts compensation of between £2,080 to £6,870.
The amount of compensation for facial scarring can vary hugely depending upon a range of personal factors. Compensation may be different for child dog bite claims.