Successful No Win No Fee dog bite claim

This is a real-life case summary of a successful No Win No Fee dog bite claim

Slee Blackwell’s Elizabeth Duncan has successfully represented a courier who was bitten by a dog when delivering a parcel in West Yorkshire.

After our client knocked on the front door, the customer made no attempt to restrain their dog, which escaped and bite our client on his left thigh.

The incident was duly reported to the police and the courier then approached us for legal guidance on his options. Elizabeth offered to pursue a No Win No Fee dog bite claim on the basis that the dog owner was negligent in not sufficiently controlling and restraining their dog.

A Letter of Claim was sent to the dog owner. It outlined their failure to adequately warn our client of the danger of the dog. At the time of the incident, the dog owner claimed that their dog had been upset for a couple of days, so they should have known there was a risk that their dog might act in a manner which could cause injury.

Following investigations by the dog owner’s insurance company, liability was admitted.

During this process, Elizabeth instructed a Plastic Surgeon and a Psychologist to act as medical experts and confirm the full extent of our client’s injuries. The Psychologist concluded that our client experienced symptoms such as anxiety, concentration issues and social withdrawal. These symptoms led to the client suffering from a Major Depressive Disorder, and a recommendation was made for a course of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT). Furthermore, the Plastic Surgeon was of the opinion that the scarring left by the dog bite would be permanent, though it had healed well.

Due to our client having time off work to recover from the incident, a Schedule of Loss was prepared setting out his lost earnings and other financial losses, including the cost of the CBT.

To prevent court proceedings, the dog owner’s insurer made an offer to settle the claim out of court. Elizabeth’s experience with dog bites meant that she could advise our client that this was an offer which should be seriously considered. Our client accepted the offer which enabled him to undergo the recommended course of CBT.

Our dog bite specialists have an enviable track record of success, and you can read these examples of other dog bite settlements we have achieved.

If you wish to bring a No Win No Fee dog bite claim, then contact the experts. For a free consultation and details of No Win No Fee funding call us on 0333 888 0404 or email us at [email protected].

Picture of Elizabeth Duncan

Elizabeth Duncan

Identified by the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 as one of the UK's 'Leading Lawyers', Elizabeth Duncan is a personal injury solicitor who specialises in a number of niche areas, including abuse, sexual assault and CICA criminal injury claims.
Picture of Elizabeth Duncan

Elizabeth Duncan

Identified by the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 as one of the UK's 'Leading Lawyers', Elizabeth Duncan is a personal injury solicitor who specialises in a number of niche areas, including abuse, sexual assault and CICA criminal injury claims.

Share this post:

Share this post:

Call the Slee Blackwell helpline on 0333 888 0404