Man’s best friend? Dog bite injuries and what to do next….

A police officer recently received an out of court payment of £500 when he was bitten on the behind by a police dog. Subsequently, another police officer successfully made a claim and received an out of court settlement of £1,200 after also being bitten by a police dog.

It is not fully known how many people per year suffer injuries caused by dogs, as many do not think to report it. However it is estimated to be significant, with the most vulnerable group being children, particularly those under the age of nine. Injuries can be severe, especially if wounds become infected, and can also lead to psychological trauma. Injuries can occur as a result of your job, as with the police officers mentioned above, or simply due to an unfortunate interaction with a dog belonging to a stranger, neighbour or acquaintance.

There are ways to try and avoid dog attacks. Some people say that if you encounter an aggressive dog, standing still with your hands by your sides and avoiding eye contact may help. Running away will most likely encourage the dog to chase you and is therefore warned against by animal experts. However, if the attack is inevitable, it is important to know what to do next. You should always take immediate medical advice, but some Medical professionals suggest washing the wound under running water is the first step, removing anything from the wound (such as hair or dirt) as quickly and delicately as possible. No matter how small the bite, it is crucial to seek medical attention as any dog bite has a risk of becoming infected. Your doctor can examine the wound and decide if a tetanus injection or antibiotics are needed.

Maintaining records of your hospital visit can come in useful if you wish to make a compensation claim. You may also wish to call the police which will mean your attack is on record, and could prevent anyone else getting injured. If your accident happens at work, report the accident to your superior, otherwise try and find out who the dog belongs to, if the owner has pet insurance, or if any other attacks have occurred in the past. Your solicitor can use all of this information to help your claim.

While dog bite compensation cases are less straightforward than other personal injury claims, ultimately dog bites are still avoidable injuries and victims are well within their right to compensation. Dog related injuries can at best be painful or prevent victims from working, causing financial constraints, and at worst cause fatalities or loss of limbs.

Whether your injury occurred at work or home, contact Wrigley Claydon today. Our experienced personal injury team can guide you through the process step by step, and help you get the compensation you deserve. Send us a message through our ‘Claim now’ form, or call us on 0161 785 3534.

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Vijay Srivastava

Partner

Vijay is the Senior Partner and heads up the Litigation team at Wrigley Claydon, where he has worked for over 30 years, amassing a wealth of experience. Many years ago, Vijay was appointed to the Law Society Personal Injury Solicitor Panel as a specialist in injury claims. This has led him to act in many high value injury claims and medical negligence cases. His experience in and knowledge of procedural matters and the interpretation of medico-legal reports and other expert evidence, combined with his friendly but professional approach, enable Vijay to provide a service to clients we believe is second to none. 
 Vijay advises both Corporate and Private clients on cost-effective ways of bringing and defending claims in the Courts. He has successfully acted on numerous large contractual claims and many disputed probate cases. Vijay has lived in Oldham most of his life. After graduating from Leeds University, he trained at Wrigley Claydon, where he soon became one of the youngest partners in the country. Vijay is happily married and has two children. He has served as a member of the Parochial Church Council at St. Paul’s Church and as a Founder Trustee of Emmaus Mossley takes a great interest in the local community. He is now the Chairman of Governors at the school (Oldham Hulme Grammar) where he was once the head boy. Vijay is also a Trustee of the nationally acclaimed Francis House Children's Hospice as well as being an Assessor in Oldham's "Dragon's Den".

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