Dog bite lawyers — compensation claims
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a dog attack, our experienced public liability dog bite lawyers can help you claim the dog bite compensation you deserve.
Around 4,000 Australians are hospitalised each year for dog-related injuries. If you or your loved one are injured by a dog attack, you may be eligible to claim public liability compensation for your injuries. Dog related injuries can include:
Dog bites, which can lead to open wounds, cellulitis and serious infection, particularly in children aged under 10
Being struck by a dog, which most often cause fractures, particularly in people aged over 65
Psychological injuries from the trauma of experiencing or witnessing a serious dog attack
Do I have a dog bite compensation claim?
Physical and psychological dog related injuries can be due to being:
Bitten by a dog
Struck by a dog
Witnessing a dog attack
For a dog bite compensation claim to be successful, your dog bite lawyer must prove three things:
One – The dog attack occurred on a site where a duty of care was owed
This means that personal injury was caused by a dog attack on a site or location where a person, business or organisation owed a duty of care to the injured person. This could be a park, street or a private home, where the dog’s owner is responsible for its behaviour.
Two – Breach of duty of care
This happens when the person, business or organisation owed you a duty of care, failed in that duty. Examples could include:
A delivery worker/tradesperson is instructed to enter a property where a dangerous dog is known to be present
A person has their dog off-leash in a public park and it attacks you or your loved one
You’re walking along a footpath and a dog attacks you because they’re not adequately contained on their property
Three – Personal injury and loss
Personal injury and loss occur when you or your loved one sustains a physical or psychological injury because of a dog attack. Your loss could include, for example:
Medical and hospital expenses to treat your injury
Cost of mental health support to treat your psychological injury
Lost wages if your injury means taking time off work
Dog attack lawyers work in public liability law. If you or your loved one have been injured because of a dog attack, our public liability experts can talk through your situation on a free, no-obligation basis. We’ll walk you through your rights, possible entitlement to dog bite compensation and the legal process in plain English – no confusing legal jargon.
Check if you have a claim with our simple, free online tool.
What we will ask:
Details about the accident and injuries that may have happened to you or your loved one
Basic personal information that is relevant and necessary for your compensation claim
What happens next:
Either book a no-obligation appointment with a public liability law expert right away, or
Speak with our public liability team about your options
What you should do if you're attacked by a dog
If you or your loved one is attacked or bitten by a dog, you may be eligible for dog bite compensation. Compensation can significantly help with your healing and recovery. Below is essential information about what you should do if you or your loved one is injured because of a dog attack.
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms after being injured, and another person, business or organisation is responsible, you may be able to make a public liability claim.
To help you make a successful claim, we recommend collecting evidence as soon as possible after your injury.
This evidence may include:
Taking photographs of the injury, and the location where the injury occurred.
Writing down what happened to you. Recording the contact details of any witnesses.
Sharing with your lawyer a record of the report you made of your injury and any response you received from those responsible.
Keeping any medical record of your injury. This includes appointment dates, medical certificates and x-rays.
Recording any expenses or lost wages due to your injuries.
How Shine's dog bite lawyers can help
We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.
95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.
We offer access to affordable legal advice including on a No Win, No Fee* basis and an obligation-free initial consultation so you can understand your rights and know where you stand.
*Conditions apply
We are ready to take action against those at fault for your dog bite injuries and right wrong.
Public liability FAQs
What do I do if I’ve been bitten by a dog?
If you’ve been attacked or bitten by a dog, it’s important that you:
Seek medical treatment immediately for your injuries, and make sure your treating doctor keeps a record of your injuries
Once your injury is stable, monitor it to ensure it is healing correctly
Seek legal advice from Shine Lawyers’ public liability team regarding your physical, psychological or financial loss
How much can I claim for my injuries following a dog bite injury?
How much you can claim in dog bite compensation depends on the extent of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your life.
Once you share your story with us, our experienced dog bite lawyers can give you a detailed understanding of your potential dog bite compensation claim.
Your claim will be influenced by factors such as:
The severity of your injuries
Your age
How much you have lost and will lose in wages and employment opportunities
How much ongoing care (including psychological) you need to cope with the impact of your injuries
Are there any dog bite lawyers near me?
With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers’ legal advice and support.
If you’d like to speak to our public liability team in person, you can see our full list of locations here.
If you can’t find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment or discuss the option meet at a location that’s comfortable and convenient for you. No matter where you’re located, we’ll always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.
Do I need a dog bite lawyer for my public liability claim?
It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a dog bite compensation claim. However, doing so successfully will likely require:
A thorough understanding of public liability law
Your legal rights and entitlements regarding your dog bite injuries
A commitment to actively pursue your case to move it forward
Without an experienced public liability lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your case. You may also not receive the dog bite compensation you deserve.
Why trust Shine with my dog bite compensation claim?
At Shine Lawyers, we put you first. We’ve been standing up for the rights of everyday Australians for over 45 years. As one of Australia’s largest litigation law firms, we are here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Our empathy, understanding and expertise are why we’re ahead of the pack. We’ll stand with you and guide you every step of the way.
Do you have a claim?
We’re here to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible.
