Dog attacks and the inability to claim personal injury compensation

A badly injured woman has called for changes to the UK rules of dog-owning after she has been left unable to make a personal injury compensation claim against the owner of a dog that brutally attacked her and left her financially out of pocket and needing to use a wheelchair.

Pet owners who take out third party insurance are protected if their pet attacks someone. A spokesperson for Petplan commented, "If you had a golden retriever insured by Petplan and if he ran out in front of a car he would be covered for vet treatment if hurt.

"But also if the driver of the car had swerved and hit a lamppost and the car was a write-off and the driver had whiplash, they could claim against the dog owner instead of taking legal action against them.

"The insurers would cover the cost of legal representation and any costs or payout associated with what the dog may have done."

The woman, attacked by an uninsured Doberman, was unable to work for over two months and after eight weeks of pay from her employer, ended up receiving statutory sick pay that saw a reduction in her income of approximately £500 a month.

The extensive injuries also led to a holiday cancellation and the woman's inability to complete a management training course that would have furthered her career.

The incident occurred when the 58 year-old data entry supervisor was walking her own dog; the Doberman charged at her, knocking her to the floor and causing her to sustain fractures to her tibia and fibula. In hospital she required an operation to insert a plate and rod into her leg. She was told the injury may take 14 weeks to heal and is frustrated that she will be unable to make a no win no fee compensation claim against the irresponsible dog owner.

She added, ""The woman owner shouted to ask if I needed an ambulance but I didn't see her again.

"She sent her son down with her mobile phone and I told the ambulance control where I was.

"I think perhaps that they should make liability insurance compulsory for dog owners. You can't drive a car without any insurance."

YouClaim and dog attack personal injury compensation claim
At YouClaim we recognise that without third party liability pet insurance we are unable to pursue a compensation claim for dog attacks, but if you establish that the dog is covered we can help you to make a no win no fee claim against the dog owners for injury and loss of earnings.

Our personal injury solicitors are highly experienced and strictly governed by regulations stipulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog whose owners have pet insurance please call our free UK helpline on 0800 10 757 95 or we can call you back at a time to suit you.

Alternatively, fill in our online claim form and we will call to discuss the details of your personal injury compensation claim.