Toronto Dog Bite Lawyers

The Toronto dog bite lawyers at Verkhovets Law know how terrifying it is to experience an encounter with a vicious dog. One minute you’re strolling with your labradoodle on his leash and out of nowhere, you’re fending off a horrific dog bite attack – leaving both you and your dog with serious injuries. Apologies or denials of blame don’t matter. The law in Ontario is clear: the owner automatically must cover your damages and/or your dog’s veterinary bills.

Our Toronto dog bite lawyers explain that the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA) makes the owner strictly liable for damages caused by dog bites to humans or domestic animals. You don’t have to prove the owner did anything wrong. But Toronto dog bite lawyers know these cases can get tricky, and problems do arise. For example, any negligence on your part could impact your damages.
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If you, a family member, and/or your beloved pet are injured in a dog bite attack to ensure you get the compensation you deserve

(905) 910-1440

Why work with our Toronto dog bite lawyers?

Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, have seen it happen – some pet owners refuse to pay for dog bite damages because they don’t realize their strict legal responsibility. In the wake of an attack, they will say they had no hint the dog would ever behave that way, nor did they do anything negligent to cause it to snap – so it’s not their fault. But, under DOLA, dog owners are responsible for the actions of their pets; so, if the dog bites you or your pet, the owner is liable.

Surely an owner would know the law and pay for the damages with no argument … wouldn’t they? Toronto dog bite lawyers say, unfortunately no, not all of them will. Some owners recoil from paying damages, not realizing their strict liability under DOLA. To avoid messy arguments and denials of payment, it’s crucial to have Toronto dog bite lawyers back you up to seek a fair settlement.

Dog bite incidents and their litigation are increasing. The Toronto dog bite lawyers at Verkhovets Law have experience handling issues that arise in these personal injury cases including:

  • Establishing who is considered the “owner” under DOLA: that’s the person who had care and control (was harbouring) the dog at the time. So, if a friend is walking the dog and it bites a child, they are considered the “owner” and liable – not the actual owner who wasn’t even there.
  • Our Toronto dog bite lawyers will assist if the owner argues that you were partly to blame through your negligence. That means if you provoke the dog, the amount of compensation can be reduced. In the example of the child in the above paragraph, if the child got too close or startled the dog, some of the compensation could be offset to the percentage they are found to have caused the bite.
  • Our Toronto dog bite lawyers have untangled complicated dog bite matters that involve establishing if liability is found under the Occupiers Liability Act. Section 3(1) says a property owner has a duty to ensure a premise is safe and so may be responsible for a dog attack.
  • If you were committing a crime on the owner’s property, our Toronto dog bite lawyers would explain that the owner is not liable for your injuries.

Dog owners are liable if their dog bites you. Call or email Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, and we’ll ensure they accept their responsibility for your compensation.

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Call or email Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, and we’ll
ensure they accept their responsibility for your compensation.

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Toronto dog bite lawyers outline injuries
that arise from bites

Toronto dog bite lawyers outline injuries that arise from bites

The Toronto dog bite lawyers of Verkhovets Law know when it comes to dog bites, even the tiniest teacup poodle can attack you and/or your pet and cause a range of possible injuries. It can happen; there are 7.7 million domestic canines in Canada, and dog bites are serious business. Injuries can range widely from catastrophic facial disfigurements needing plastic surgery to broken bones, open wounds – even a scratch can turn into a problem.
The City of Toronto, in their list of steps of what to do after a dog bite, advises you to seek immediate medical attention if your skin is broken – dogs have more than 600 kinds of bacteria in their mouths.
Here are some other dog bite facts:
  • There are an estimated 5,000 dog bites a year in Ontario
  • One to two annually are fatal dog attacks in Canada
  • Toronto dog bite lawyers know children are injured more often by dog bites than adults
  • The stats show the number of dog bites in this province is rising
  • German Shepherds cause the most dog bites, followed by Labrador Retrievers, and Jack Russell Terriers
  • Approximately three to 20 per cent of dog bite wounds become infected

While there are many types of potential physical injuries,
people can suffer severe psychological effects as well,
including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with intense
fear and debilitating symptoms, possibly for life.

Our Toronto dog bite lawyers have seen many different dog bite injuries:

  • Abrasions
  • Amputations
  • Crushed bones, ligaments, tendons
  • Disfigurement
  • Fractures
  • Sepsis
  • Tetanus
  • Infections
  • Puncture wounds
  • Psychological injuries
  • Scarring
  • Rabies
  • Vision loss
If your pet has been bitten by another dog, report the attack to Animal Services and make sure they are promptly examined by a veterinarian.
Dog Bites, Animal Attacks

Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers,
define the legal terms

Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, define the legal terms

Harbouring – Toronto dog bite lawyers explain that under DOLA, the person exercising care and control – harbouring – the dog at the time of the biting incident is held responsible for providing compensation to the victim. Usually, the dog owner and the person harbouring the animal are one and the same. The case Wilk v. Arbour found the individual in physical possession and in charge (harbouring) of a dog just before it attacks is the “owner.” So, if someone were pet sitting – harbouring – their sister’s dog, they would be considered the “owner” and liable for damages should the dog bite someone.
Contribution by person at fault – Our Toronto dog bite lawyers note that while DOLA establishes the owner must pay the victim under strict liability, they are entitled to recover some of the money from whoever was at fault or negligent. That means if the victim provoked the attack, their degree of responsibility offsets (reduces) the amount the owner pays by that percentage.
Strict Liability – Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, know the bottom line with this legal term is definitive: the “owner” is strictly liable to pay compensation for the dog bite injuries whether they acted responsibly or not. So, under strict liability, you don’t have to prove the owner did anything wrong or even had prior knowledge that the animal was dangerous. You just must establish who the “owner” was as defined in the above paragraph. Strict liability doesn’t require intentional harm or negligence.
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Our Toronto dog bite lawyers will calculate
your damages

Our Toronto dog bite lawyers will calculate your damages

The Toronto dog bite lawyers of Verkhovets Law will tell you that determining the
damages in these types of matters can be complicated – and is done on a
case-by-case basis. Not all dog bites are the same; the compensation fits the injury
inflicted and the costs associated with healing. Our team of Toronto dog bite lawyers
will advise you to keep records of your treatments and
their progression and photographs of the injury.

Toronto dog bite lawyers calculate damages for:

  • Current and future medical treatment
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Emotional trauma
  • Housekeeper
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Plastic surgery
  • Prescriptions
  • Psychological treatment
  • Rehabilitation

Toronto dog bite lawyers will advise you if there are grounds for rare punitive
damages, for cases when the owner knew or ought to have known the dog was
dangerous, aggressive by nature, or gave the dog the order to attack you.

Our Toronto bouncer assault lawyers

also handle these types of claims:

Our Toronto bouncer assault lawyers also handle these types of claims:

   Car accidents

   Bicycle accidents

   Pedestrian accidents

And our Toronto dog bite lawyers will

help you with these types of personal

injuries:

And our Toronto dog bite lawyers will help you with these types of personal injuries:

   Brain injuries

   Broken bones

   Concussions

   Long-term disability claims

   Internal injuries

   Soft tissue injuries

   Spinal cord injuries

   Whiplash

The trusted Toronto dog bite lawyers of Verkhovets Law are experienced in handling dog bite claims.
The trusted Toronto dog bite lawyers of Verkhovets Law are experienced in handling dog bite claims.
Call or email us and we will work to
recover what you are owed.
Call or email us and we will work to recover what you are owed.

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Our Toronto dog bite lawyers also handle
exotic animal attacks

Our Toronto dog bite lawyers also handle exotic animal attacks

Toronto exotic animal attack lawyers are aware that while the majority of animal attacks in Ontario are dog bites, there are incidents of exotic animal attacks in zoos. But that’s not the only place someone could legally own a tiger, which could potentially cause personal injury. While Toronto and Ottawa have bylaws against owning exotic animals, elsewhere, if it’s not Canadian wildlife or endangered, it’s fair game to own an exotic animal.

Our Toronto exotic animal attack lawyers note the area of exotic animal bites is evolving, but what is certain is the owner is liable. If it’s a zoo animal attack, the keeper is responsible.

Here are some examples of exotic animal attacks in zoos in Ontario:

  • The Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded a former couple $2.5 million in damages for a tiger mauling at a game park. The man was awarded $1.7 million and the woman $813,000. The court ruled that the park should be held “strictly liable for damages” arising from the exotic animal attack after a key finding that they did not ignore warnings to keep their car windows closed.
  • An elephant trainer was seriously injured when the pachyderm he was feeding at an Ontario zoo picked him up and slammed him into a wooden structure. The trainer suffered serious and airlifted to hospital but fortunately his injuries were non-life-threatening.
  • A video posted online shows lions attacking a car at a wild game park.

Reach out to our Toronto dog bite lawyers now

Reach out to our Toronto dog bite lawyers now

Toronto dog bite lawyers agree most dogs will never bite. But all dogs can cause serious injuries to you, your cherished children or other loved ones, and your precious pet, too. The physical and psychological injuries can be devastating, potentially leaving you haunted for a lifetime. Our Toronto dog bite lawyers will negotiate your settlement while you heal.

Verkhovets Law, Toronto dog bite lawyers, have seen it many times: the shocking results of an unexpected dog bite attack that could result in very severe injuries for you – and/or enormous vet bills for your dog. Email or phone us today, to help recover the damages that you are owed.