Ontario Dog Bite Lawyers
Ontario is home to countless animal lovers. Many households throughout the province consider at least one pet dog to be a valued member of the family. The number of people and families who have welcomed dogs into their lives has only increased in recent years. Since the start of the pandemic, 900,000 adults across the country brought a new pet into their homes; that’s 3% of the nation’s total population!
Dogs offer their owners much-needed companionship, unconditional affection, loyalty, and a sense of responsibility. However, even the most adored and well-behaved pet can act unpredictably around other humans.
Even dogs that have never displayed any outward signs of violence or aggression towards other people have been known to suddenly attack others without warning. Unfortunately, these potentially injurious incidents are on the rise nationwide. Perhaps due to the increased stress in households where adults work from home or children are undergoing remote learning, in recent years, dogs across the country have increasingly attacked visitors, neighbours, postal workers, passersby, and even small children. In fact, one children’s hospital noted a 300% increase in emergency room admissions because of dog bite-related injuries since the start of the pandemic.
Small children and toddlers are particularly susceptible to severe– even fatal– injuries as the result of dog bites. However, regardless of the victim’s age, when dogs attack, the physical and psychological harm they cause can be disastrous. More than 500 Canada Post employees are seriously injured as the result of an encounter with a dog each year, and those incidents have only continued to increase.
People who survive violent encounters with dangerous dogs may bear the physical and psychological scars for the rest of their lives. That is why, if you were injured during a violent encounter with another person’s dog, you might be entitled to compensation.
Our Ontario dog bite lawyers provide a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. If you were bitten by a dog and are unsure about legal options that might be available to you, schedule your cost-free, no-obligation first meeting with Preszler Injury Lawyers by calling 1-800-JUSTICE today.
The Aftermath of Ontario Dog Attacks
Dogs may appear outwardly friendly, but when they bite, the consequences can be far-reaching and all-encompassing. In addition to sustaining physical disfigurement and other injuries, people who have been bitten by dogs may become infected with life-threatening diseases including:
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Endocarditis
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
- And possibly more
Additionally, it is not uncommon for the survivors of dog attacks to develop serious psychological issues as a result of their violent encounter with someone else’s dog. Often debilitating in nature, the psychological injuries developed by the survivors of dog attacks could have profound effects on an injured Ontarian. These severe mental health issues could impact an injured attack victim’s ability to continue working, earning a regular salary, or enjoying the same quality of life to which they had been accustomed before they were bitten by someone else’s dog. Examples of psychological issues frequently developed by the injured survivors of dog attacks include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Permanent phobias
- Sleep disorders
- Panic attacks
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diminished self-esteem due to physical disfigurement
- And more
In order to adequately address these overwhelming mental health issues, attack victims may be required to pay expensive out-of-pocket costs for psychiatric treatment, psychological counselling, prescription medications, and more. Their financial stability could be adversely impacted for years, even decades, because of a negligent dog owner’s failure to control their pet’s behaviour.
On top of all of this, physically injured dog bite victims frequently incur substantial expenses related to their medical treatments, reconstructive surgeries following physical disfigurement, and other costs arising from their injuries. Victims of dog attacks may find themselves paying exorbitant amounts of money to recover from the physical injuries they have sustained, which often include:
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Sprains and strains
- And more
If you sustained compensable injuries because of a violent encounter with someone else’s dog, call 1-800-JUSTICE today to learn how our dog bite lawyers serving all of Ontario may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Who is Liable for Damages Caused by Dog Bites in Ontario?
Most dog bites are unexpected, unprovoked, and unpredictable. In the aftermath of a shocking and violent encounter with an aggressive animal, it can be difficult for accident victims to ascertain exactly who is responsible for the dog attack.
Pet ownership comes with its share of responsibilities. And in Ontario, a dog owner’s responsibilities extend far beyond daily walking and feeding. In accordance with the province’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act, if a person sustains compensable injuries as the result of an encounter with someone else’s dog, the dog’s owner might be considered negligent and, therefore, responsible for financially compensating the injured attack victim.
Even if the dog had no previous history of aggressive behaviour and displayed no warning signs of violence in the past, its owner could still be considered liable for damages incurred by attack victims if they failed to take necessary measures to safeguard the victim from being harmed.
However, in this context, the term “owner” could refer to anyone who has possession or control over the dog, and not necessarily the person whose name is on its license. For example, if the pet owner’s friend is dog-sitting for the weekend and, while the dog was in their care, the dog attacked another person, the dog-sitting friend might be considered liable for damages incurred by the injured attack victim.
Call Our Ontario Dog Bite Lawyers Today
If someone else’s dog bit, mauled, or otherwise attacked you and you sustained compensable injuries as a result, do not hesitate to get in touch with our dog bite lawyers serving all of Ontario. Our Ontario dog bite lawyers are standing by to provide you with personalized, case-specific legal advice during a free initial consultation.
To learn about options for financial recovery that might be available to you, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today and take advantage of your free, no-obligation first meeting with our dog bite lawyers serving Ontario.
