Animal And Pet Injury Lawyers Toronto

Animal attacks and pet injuries span a wide category of circumstances and legal cases.

While many animals are kind companions and full of joy, in the wrong situation, some can attack. The consequence of an animal attack and/or animal bite are serious physical injuries and psychological trauma that can last years.

Animal law encompasses various legal matters related to animals, including pet injuries and animal attacks.

There are strict laws on pet owner responsibilities and control, dog attacks and bites, and how to navigate filing a claim in the aftermath of an attack.

Among the different types of animal attacks, pet injuries, and animal attack cases that we have helped with are as follows:

• Dog bites.

• Helping a pet owner get their pet back after a dispute relating to an animal attack or injury.

• Advocating to challenge a designation and/or arguing for a dog to be returned to their owner after a designation and seizure by municipal authorities.

• Injury of pets, advising and acting in situations where another pet has been injured or killed.

• Wrongful death, such as when an animal attack has led to the death of a victim.

In the animal attack category, dog bites and dog attacks are frequently what an animal and pet injury lawyer will handle.

Animal attacks can extend to any type of attack by an animal on a human being or a pet.

The majority of animal attacks that find themselves before the courts are dog attacks.

Under Ontario’s strict liability laws, the owner of an animal is fully responsible for any injuries caused by the dog or another animal. This is regardless of negligence, warnings given, and/or knowledge of a dog’s propensity for aggression.

Knowing that a dog owner is legally responsible for the actions of their pet if you have been bitten or injured in a dog attack, it is strongly advised to reach out to a lawyer for more information on how to move forward with a claim.

Animal attack law is a specialized category, often intersecting with personal injury law and specifically lawyers specializing in dog attacks.

As a person’s view towards animals can evolve and change, an animal attack can be interpreted differently depending on who is being asked for an opinion. Most people regard animals as companions and the traditional legal status of animals is to view them as a form of property.

Joshua Goldberg Law lawyers are experts in animal attacks. The Dog Owner’s Liability Act (DOLA) places absolute liability on dog owners in Ontario if their dog attacks or bites someone, emphasizing the importance of seeking compensation from the dog owner.

Handling the unique legal issues that are associated with this category of law is what we do best as your personal injury lawyer.

Our legal team understands the concerns that an animal attack victim, pet owner, and/or rescue organization may have as it pertains to the circumstances of an attack. When you meet with one of our animal attack lawyers for a free consultation, we will work closely with you to advise on how to make a claim and what compensation, if any, you may be owed.

An animal attack lawyer maintains the role of being your guide in filing a claim and obtaining compensation from liable parties.

In Ontario, the owner of the animal who committed the attack is liable. Damages can be sought to offset expenses and cover costs resulting from the injuries incurred.

Your lawyer will be there to build for you the strongest possible case. They will ensure you seek and obtain the right medical treatment and rehabilitation. A personal injury lawyer with experience in animal attacks can provide access to a range of medical professionals to evaluate and treat your injuries, ensuring there is documentation highlighting the full scope of your post-attack experience.

Depending on the circumstances, an animal attack lawyer may also seek damages from a victim’s own insurance policy.

Most animal attacks stem from fear on an animal’s part.

They may be afraid of being attacked or the animal sees you having approached their territory and they interpret the victim as a threat. This is not the animal’s fault. This is how they are trained to perceive information and how they are bred to react.

A dog’s aggressive behaviour can lead to attacks, and owners are responsible for properly training and controlling their dogs to prevent such incidents. Failure to do so can make them liable for compensating the victims.

That said, animal attacks can also be unprovoked and be either a test or an investigation of a presence.

The most common animal attack injuries are cuts and lacerations, severe bites, and bruises and abrasions. Dog bite injuries, in particular, can be severe and have long-term implications, including the risk of infections and the necessity of seeking immediate medical attention.

Unfortunately, many individuals – including young children – will often suffer from far more serious animal attack injuries, including the following:

• Punctures to major arteries

• Damaged nerves

• Lost digits

• Disfigurement

• Sepsis

• Meningitis

• Endocarditis

• Fractured bones

• Muscle damage

• Severe scarring

• Psychological trauma

While you will want to talk with a personal injury lawyer at your earliest convenience, here is what to do immediately after an animal attack.

• Seek medical attention immediately.

• Contact the local authorities to report the animal attack to animal control. This is crucial for addressing issues such as animal cruelty, and ‘dangerous dog’ designations, and ensuring proper enforcement of municipal by-laws and regulations.

• Document as much of the attack as possible, such as writing out your own perspective of what happened, seeking out witnesses to provide testimony, identifying the dog owner, and taking photos of your injuries.

• File a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.

• Keep detailed medical records and follow through with your physician’s recommendations.

In some animal attack cases, dog bite victims may fully heal from their physical trauma but still suffer psychologically from what happened.

If your current struggles are related to the mental health effects of an animal attack, you may still be entitled to compensation.

This is particularly true of children who are at an increased risk of severe injury and psychological trauma from an animal attack.

Many victims, regardless of age, will go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. These emotional challenges can compound over time into major life difficulties as a victim attempts to adjust and/or return to their daily life.

As you speak with personal injury lawyers experienced in handling animal attack and pet injury cases, the next step is to build your case and file a claim.

Your lawyer will be able to help you obtain the necessary documents to craft the strongest argument to bring forth to the courts.

In many cases, animal attack cases are settled out of court. In negotiating a settlement, your personal injury lawyer may be communicating with someone representing the animal owner or your insurance company. Opposing counsel will try to use strategies, such as minimizing the seriousness of your injuries, to either disregard your claim or minimize the damages they are legally required to pay.

Navigating the legal process is hard. Have a trustworthy and experienced personal injury lawyer at your side.

While the initial testing, evaluation, and medical treatment you receive after an animal attack is covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), many future expenses will not be. Long-term medical expenses, medicines, and medications, reconstructive surgery, loss of income from not being able to work and/or not being able to do the duties you once did, caregiver costs, and more are all potential damages that can be claimed in cases of personal injuries.

Understandably, your cost of living could put you in a financial crisis trying to pay for it all when you don’t have the funds.

If you have a rightful claim to compensation, pursue it. It will help you pay for the expenses that are likely ahead.

Dog bite injury cases present unique challenges in proving liability.

If a dog or animal attacks you, the Ontario Liability Act puts absolute liability on the owner. This is seen as a failure of the owner to properly train and control their dog or animal. If you have fallen victim to an animal attack, you may be entitled to damages in accordance with this Act.

Have you been hurt by an animal attack? Meet with one of our Toronto animal and pet injury lawyers immediately. Don’t wait.

Animal attacks, including predominantly dog bites and dog attacks, are sadly common. Pets and people can both be injured, including sometimes young children. In a sudden attack, the risk of infection and complications is high. Seek medical attention, follow recommendations, and speak to Joshua Goldberg Law.

When dealing with dog bite cases, it is crucial to choose a lawyer with experience in handling such cases. As your personal injury lawyer, we will help ensure responsible parties are held liable for a bite or attack.

When you take action quickly, you protect your legal rights to maximum compensation.

Recovery can be a delicate, difficult situation. Don’t go it alone. Speak with the Joshua Goldberg Law legal team to file a claim.