Dog bite lawsuits in Ontario are more common than you may think. In fact, dog bites are one of the most common injuries that affect people in Canada, with it being estimated that one person is bitten by a dog every minute. While some of these dog bites are minimal, others can cause serious injury. If you have been bitten by a dog, it’s important to understand what dog bite damages in Ontario you may be entitled to.
Dog Bites and Ontario Dog Bite Law
If you have been bitten by a dog, then there are many reasons why you may seek damages. Dog bites can require medical attention, including stitches or even surgery in some circumstances. However, a severe dog bite can cause permanent disfigurement, disability, infection, and life-threatening health complications; in some cases, dog bites can cause death, although this is less common. Damages are often needed for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A dog owner’s liability depends on the country or province they are in. In Ontario, the laws heavily favour people who have been injured by dog bites, rather than favouring the dog’s owner. This means that if you are the victim of a dog bite in Ontario, you may have a case to seek compensation through dog bite injury lawyers.
Dog Owner’s Liability
In Ontario, there is a Dog Owners Liability Act, which includes provisions that explain a dog owner’s responsibility in the event of a dog bite or attack. According to the act, dog owners are responsible for any injuries that their dog inflicts on people. However, despite this, there are still some special circumstances where they may not be held responsible. For instance, if a dog bites an intruder, such as someone breaking into a house, the dog owner may not be liable for that injury.
Since they are responsible for any injuries their dogs cause, owners are also required to take reasonable precautions to prevent their dogs from biting or attacking anyone, which can include leashes, muzzles, and other similar measures. If a dog bites or attacks another person or animal, courts can also order for the dog to be put down. Furthermore, it is illegal for anyone to own a pit bull in Ontario. There are other provisions that go into further detail about a dog owner’s responsibility and it is worth reading all of them.
Dog Bite Damages
Based on the Dog Owners Liability Act, people who have been injured or attacked by a dog likely have a good case, assuming they use a dog bite personal injury lawyer and that they weren’t breaking the law at the time of the injury. However, the damages they are entitled to can vary depending on the specifics of the injury and the case.
Judges have a lot of discretion when it comes to calculating damages, meaning that if they find the dog owner was irresponsible, they may award more damages to the injured party than they would if the owner took precautions. Similarly, injured people can be awarded less damages if it is found that they provoked the dog or were committing an illegal act at the time.
In some cases, a third party other than the dog owner may have played a part in the accident, such as if a friend of yours provoked the dog, which then bit you. In these cases, the dog owner is still responsible for the injury, but they may be entitled to some compensation from that third party.
Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Ontario
Bitten by a dog? If you are looking for a dog bite injury attorney, then Taverniti | Vashishth LLP can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Our personal injury law firm serves clients throughout Ontario, specializing in a wide range of injuries and personal injury claims, including dog bites, car and road accidents, slips and falls, and catastrophic claims. We are equipped to handle the most complex legal and insurance issues arising from your accident. To arrange a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers, call (905) 264-8686 or visit our web site.