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Among the various kinds of injuries that can be sustained by a person on account of the negligence of another person, one of the commonest would be those sustained by animal attacks, especially dog bites. Although the number of people who sustain sever injuries on account of being attacked by a dog is pretty small, it is not insignificant either. One would be surprised to see the number of injury claims that are filed each year in the United Kingdom asking for compensation for such injuries. It must be remembered, however, that although these injuries are hardly ever fatal, there have been in some cases; moreover, serious injuries are pretty common in such cases of animal attack, and the situation worsens if the dog turns rabid after the attack or the assault is actually triggered by the illness. Whatever the situation is, the victim is perfectly entitled to make an injury claim if he or she had been attacked by someone else’s pet.

When to Make a Claim?

There are various grounds on which one can file a claim for compensation. Before taking any step, however, it is necessary to assess the situation. Do keep in mind that taking a step against an animal would be difficult, but a step needs to be taken against the owner if he or she had failed to warn the visitor of the temperament of the pet or exert sufficient control over the animal.

Mauling: Sometimes the animal can get so violent that it practically mauls the victim. This is a far more serious situation, involving serious, extensive injuries as opposed to the comparatively smaller ones that are incurred in dog bite cases. This can lead to serious disfigurements and even death, and injury claims should be filed for treatment.

Infection: This is one of the most sure shot outcomes of an animal related injury. The face is the region where the animals usually try to bite owing to the sensitive nature of the area; besides, hands and ankles are also commonly targeted.

Trauma: The emotional as well as psychological trauma faced by the victim can hardly be imagined. Being attacked by an animal is highly fear-inducing, and the scars and disfigurements left afterwards cause considerable consternation in the mind of the victim.

Insurance Claim vs. Personal Injury

An injury claim for compensation in a dog bite or animal attack case can be filed with the insurance company of the homeowner, but it is always advisable and far more profitable to hire a personal injury solicitor to represent your case. There is a very big reason behind this: you will not be getting the amount that you deserve from the insurance company, but justice can be ensured if you consult a personal injury attorney in this case. The homeowner’s insurance will be sure to compensate for the bodily injuries that occur due to the accident as well as the additional treatment costs involved; however, you can also rest assured that the insurance companies will fight tooth and nail, and you might end up receiving as less as about ten percent of what you would be making if you had hired a personal injury attorney instead. 





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