Were you bitten or attacked by a dog in Brantford, Ontario? If so, Provincial law allows you to pursue a legal claim against the owner responsible. You can recover compensation for your financial losses, pain and suffering, and more with help from Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers.
We’re a well-respected personal injury law firm with a track record of success you can depend on. Our Brantford dog bite lawyers have over 92 years of experience, and we’ve secured over $100 million for our clients since our founding. If you hire us, we’ll handle your claim effectively from start to finish while you focus on your recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options. We offer a free legal consultation of your case. Call us today at (226)401-5433.
How Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite or Attack in Brantford
Being bitten or otherwise injured by a dog can be a traumatic experience. After all, dogs are considered “man’s best friend” and are generally playful and friendly. Unfortunately, as you may know all too well, dog bites can result in significant consequences that can affect just about every area of your life.
One thing is for certain: you deserve to be compensated in full for your injuries and damages. Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers is dedicated to standing up for the rights of accident victims in Brantford and will make your case a top priority. Our award-winning Brantford personal injury lawyers can help by:
- Explaining your legal options for compensation
- Calculating all of your damages
- Protecting you from accusations that you provoked the dog
- Collecting evidence in support of your case
- Hiring experts as needed throughout the process to help with your case
- Taking care of all the related paperwork, procedures, communications, and negotiations
- Bringing your case to court if necessary
Contact our law offices in Brantford, ON, today for more information. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Canada?
Dog bites happen far more frequently than you might expect in Canada. Here are some noteworthy statistics:
- There are an estimated 500,000 dog bites in Canada each year
- Dog bites are twice as likely to occur in cities than in the country
- Children ages 5 to 9 are the most likely to be bitten
- The prairie provinces have the highest rates of fatal dog attacks
- Adults are most commonly bitten on their hands, while on the face and neck for children
Based on these data, there are well over 1,000 dog bites on a daily basis throughout Canada, on average.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Brantford, ON?
You can recover both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages after a dog attack in Brantford. These damages are meant to compensate you for every consequence you’ve experienced as a result of the incident.
Pecuniary damages represent your financial losses; examples include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Attendant care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Diminished earning capacity
Non-pecuniary damages represent your other losses that don’t easily convert into a dollar figure, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of expectation of life
- Conditions such as anxiety and depression
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
Learn more about the available damages in your case by calling us today to set up a free consultation.
How Do I Establish Liability in My Brantford Dog Bite Case?
Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act establishes the legal guidelines for cases in this area of the law. Under this Act, dog owners can be held liable for damages regardless of whether the dog has bitten or attacked someone previously. The Act also states that dog owners must take “reasonable precautions” to prevent their dogs from biting other people or animals.
To establish liability in a Brantford dog bite case, you must prove that:
- The dog bit or attacked you or your domestic animal
- The dog has behaved in a way that poses a menace to the safety of other persons or domestic animals
- The owner did not take reasonable precautions to prevent their dog from attacking or posing a menace to the safety of others
Notably, the Act does not define the terms “attack” and “reasonable precautions.” The facts of your case and the skill of your legal representation could go a long way in proving that your incident falls within their meaning.
We’ll Fight for Full Compensation Based on All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Victims of dog bites and attacks can sustain severe, life-altering injuries. We can help you pursue legal action after sustaining any of the following types of injuries, just to reference a few examples:
- Lacerations
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Bruises and abrasions
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones or fractures
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
This is not an exhaustive list. Even if the injuries you’ve suffered aren’t discussed above, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free legal review.
How Much Is My Brantford Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of your Brantford dog bite case will come down to the circumstances surrounding the incident. Many factors can play a role in the valuation process, such as:
- The nature of the pain and suffering you have experienced
- Whether you will make a full recovery and will be able to return to work
- The type and severity of your dog attack injuries
- The amount of financial losses you have incurred
- Whether you contributed to the cause of the attack
The cases involving the most debilitating injuries are generally worth the most, though in some instances other factors can play a larger role in the calculation.
Before demanding compensation from the at-fault party, it is important you understand the full and true value of your case. Otherwise, you could settle for less than what you are owed.
Upon hiring Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll work hard to maximize the value of your claim to the best of our ability.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Injuries in Brantford, Ontario?
The legal concept of contributory negligence could impact your dog bite case in Brantford, Ontario. Under this principle, which is discussed in the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, your damages could be reduced in proportion to your shared responsibility for the attack. For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the incident, your damages can be reduced by 30%.
Because of this system, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side could be of great importance. It’s quite likely that the opposing party will try to say the attack was your fault. Your lawyer can protect your interests and help to ensure you are assigned as little blame as possible for your claim.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Ontario?
Ontario limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after a dog bite through its Limitations Act. If you take legal action too late, you’ll likely forfeit your ability to obtain compensation from the at-fault party.
By default, you have two years from the date of your incident to submit your lawsuit. However, there are exceptions for certain kinds of cases. It’s best to contact our law firm as soon as you can to maintain your legal rights and understand the time limit for your specific case.
Schedule a Free Legal Review With an Experienced Brantford Dog Bite Lawyer
If you were involved in a dog bite or other similar incident in Brantford, Ontario, the law allows you to file a legal claim against the responsible owner. However, that doesn’t mean that they will accept liability for all of your damages willingly.
Hiring Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers could make all the difference in the success of your case. Our trusted Brantford dog bite lawyers are some of the most experienced in the area, having nearly 100 years of combined experience. We’ve also obtained more than $100 million for accident victims to date.
Get started today by contacting us for a free initial consultation.