A dog attack can be traumatic, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve been bitten or injured through no fault of your own, we may be able to help you claim compensation on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and if you win, our fees come out of your compensation.
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A dog bite claim is a type of personal injury claim made when someone is injured due to a dog owner’s negligence or failure to properly control their animal.
Under the law in England and Wales, dog owners have a legal responsibility to prevent their dogs from causing harm. If a dog bites, attacks or injures you in a public place or on private property, you may have grounds to claim compensation.
Dog bite claims can involve injuries sustained in parks, on pavements, at work, while visiting someone’s home, or anywhere a dog has not been properly controlled.
In most cases, you have three years to start a claim. This runs from the date of the attack, or from when you first knew your injury was caused by it.
If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the incident, they have until their 21st birthday to bring a claim. Different rules may also apply where someone lacks mental capacity.
Because evidence can be lost over time, it’s best to get in touch as soon as you can.
Making a dog bite compensation claim can help ease the financial and emotional burden caused by the attack.
Compensation may cover medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, psychological support, lost earnings and travel expenses. In more serious cases, it may also include future care needs, scarring treatment, or long-term financial losses.
If you’re searching for the average payout for a dog bite in the UK, the amount depends on how serious your injuries are and the impact on your life. We’ll look at your case individually and explain what you could claim for.
Dog bite claims can arise in a number of different situations.
occur when a dog bites or injures someone in parks, streets or other public areas where the owner failed to maintain control.
can happen when visiting someone’s home or carrying out work on their property.
may arise where delivery drivers, tradespeople or postal workers are injured while carrying out their duties.
involve dogs that have previously shown aggressive behaviour or are not properly restrained.
are particularly serious, as children are often more vulnerable to severe injuries and long-term emotional trauma.
Making a claim isn’t just about financial compensation, it’s about getting your life back on track. Here’s how a successful dog bite claim can support you:
If your injury prevents you from working, a claim can help replace lost income while you recover or seek further treatment.
Compensation can help cover vital medical costs, including corrective surgery, specialist consultations, and long-term treatment or care.
A dog bite claim can provide compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack, including scarring and anxiety.
Compensation may cover essential rehabilitation, such as psychological therapy or counselling, to aid your recovery.
In more serious cases, you may receive extra compensation for permanent scarring, ongoing trauma or changes to your quality of life.
Here’s what to do:
First and foremost, your health should be your priority. Make sure to get medical treatment and keep a detailed record of your injuries and treatment.
Collect evidence to support your dog attack claim, such as photographs of your injuries, medical reports, witness statements, and any police reports.
We’ll look at your case for free and explain your options. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis.
We’ll look at what happened, explain your rights and talk you through what you could claim for.
We’ll prepare the legal documents to start your claim, setting out what happened and your injuries.
Many dog attack claims are settled out of court. We’ll negotiate with the other side’s insurer to get you a fair settlement.
If a settlement cannot be reached, we may take your case to court. We will instruct a barrister to represent you and present your case.
Speak to our friendly team today. You are not alone, and you may have a case.
Yes. Dog attacks have been rising in recent years. In 2024, police forces in England and Wales recorded more than 32,500 dog attacks, according to figures gathered by the BBC.
Yes. A dog bite claim can include compensation for anxiety, fear, PTSD or other psychological effects caused by the attack.
Yes. You can usually still claim against the owner, even if they’ve been charged or convicted. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) can usually only help if the dog was deliberately used as a weapon. We’ll explain which route is right for you.
In most cases, you have three years to start your claim. This runs from the date of the attack, or from when you first knew your injury was caused by it. If the injured person was under 18, they have until their 21st birthday. Acting quickly helps protect evidence.
That depends on how serious your injury is and the impact it’s had on your life. We can’t give you a figure straight away, and that’s not us being cagey. We need to arrange a medical examination first, and the report tells us the full extent of your injuries. Once we have it, we can give you a proper picture. In the meantime, our compensation calculator can give you a rough guide.
Whether the dog attack happened in a park, on the street, or even on private land, the dog’s owner is legally responsible for keeping their pet under control. If their failure to do so caused you harm, you could be entitled to dog bite compensation.
Usually the dog owner’s insurer, not the owner personally. Many home insurance and pet insurance policies cover this. If you were bitten while working, your employer’s insurance may pay instead.
Not necessarily. A dog bite doesn’t automatically mean the dog will be put down – the decision depends on the severity of the attack, the dog’s history and the circumstances of the incident.
Yes – you can still pursue a dog bite claim even if the dog is not a banned breed. What matters is proving that the owner was responsible for the attack.
makes it a crime to let any dog be dangerously out of control. It also bans owning, selling or breeding certain types of dog, including:
A no-win, no-fee agreement, also called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), means you don’t pay anything upfront. If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t pay our legal fees. If we win, our fees are taken from your compensation, and we’ll explain exactly how much before you sign anything. We’ll also arrange After the Event (ATE) insurance, which covers certain costs if your claim doesn’t succeed. This protection depends on you being honest throughout your claim.
Most personal injury claims take between 12 and 18 months. This is the usual length of time for a personal injury claim. Some settle sooner, especially if the other side admits fault quickly, and more complex cases can take longer. We’ll work through your claim as quickly as we can, with care, and keep you updated along the way
Your claim will be handled by our personal injury team. The team is made up mainly of solicitors and trainee solicitors, supported by paralegals and legal secretaries.
Your hospital records show the treatment you had. An independent medical report looks at how your injury affects you now and in the future. That’s what your compensation is based on, so it’s a key part of your claim.
We’ll send you a secure link to sign your documents online. If you have any trouble, just call us and we’ll talk you through it.
We have extensive experience handling dog attack claims.
Nothing to pay upfront. If you win, our fees come out of your compensation.
Every claim is different, so we tailor our service to your needs.
Our team of dog attack solicitors is committed to getting the best outcome for our clients.
If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact CEL Solicitors today to discuss your options and start your claim.
