Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Vancouver BC
You have probably heard the proverb that every dog is allowed one bite. With few exceptions, this sums up the law in British Columbia with respect to whether an owner of a dog is liable for injuries to a person who has been bitten by the owner's dog.
The proverb is based on the old common law rule by which the keeper of a domestic animal was not liable for harm done by it unless he knew of its vicious propensities.
Dog Attack Injury BC Lawyer
Dog attacks can cause serious, life-changing injuries and even disabilities, including crushed bones, nerve damage and permanent scarring. A victim of a dog bite attack can also suffer emotional trauma such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have been injured as a result of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation from the owner of the dog. Typically, owners of dogs have a home insurance policy that provides coverage to the owner in the event of a dog bite injury even if the dog bite occurs outside of the owners premises.
The "one bite rule" means that a person who has been injured as a result of a dog bite will only succeed in a lawsuit against the dog owner if the owner of the dog had knowledge that the dog has attacked someone before (called Scienter in law - meaning to have knowledge). It is also sufficient if, to the owner's knowledge, the dog had manifested a trait to do the type of harm which was done to the victim. If the dog has never attacked someone (or manifested a trait to do that type of harm), an owner may have a warning that the dog was dangerous in other ways - such as growling at people without provocation. In addition, if the owner of the dog that attacked you isn't liable under the "one bite rule", they may still be liable for being negligent such as unreasonable lack of care in handling and housing the dog. Negligence may also include violations of the law, such as a leash law, as well as simple lack of attention to detail, such as forgetting to close a gate. If any of those are the case, you may still be successful in suing the owner for compensation arising out of your dog bite injuries.
If you have been injured as a result of a dog attack in British Columbia please contact a Vancouver dog bite injury lawyer for a free consultation.
