When it comes to animal attacks in Ontario, dogs are usually the prevailing threat. Even though they are well known as men’s best friend, they can turn vicious and ferocious in a matter of seconds. A dog bite can be sudden, incredibly painful and rather traumatic. What is more, the sudden attack of a vicious dog could also cause deep emotional problems which could accompany you for the rest of your life. Many victims of ferocious attacks are unable to get close to an animal long after the attack.
In any case, you should know that there is certain legislation which governs dog attacks as the most common ones. It’s called the Dog Owner’s Liability Act of Ontario and it is set forth back in 1990 on the 31st of December. With this in mind, there are a lot of interesting stipulations in the Act which need to be taken into proper account. So, without any further ado, let’s go ahead and take a look.
Strict Liability
The institute of strict liability is introduced for this particular type of accidents. Dog bites pose a significant threat and that’s why the lawmaker has found it to be appropriate to set this particular institute. It suggests that the owner of the dog is liable for the attack regardless of whether he has been present at the moment or not.
Contributory Negligence
Of course, this wouldn’t be always fair so in an attempt to reduce the severity of the liability and to make matters more objective, the Dog Owner’s Liability Act goes on to stipulate that if the victim has somehow attributed for the attack, the compensation that he would be able to receive is going to be reduced accordingly to his responsibility. This is very convenient and it provides a lot of clearance in these relationships.
In any case, there are other things which need to be accounted for. Right off the bat, the home insurance of the dog owner is likely to cover this. So, if you have been injured in a dog bite accident then you can direct your claim towards the insurance company itself. This is convenient and it guarantees that you will get compensation.
However, insurance companies are going to make sure that this compensation is as reduced as it’s possible. With this in mind, relying on a professional personal injury lawyer with experience in this particular field of expertise would be a great idea. The lawyer will be capable of negotiating a firm settlement which benefits you directly. This is going to spare you a lot of time and it’s also going to ensure that you get compensated in a righteous and fair manner. That is why it is vital that you shortlist and work with a good lawyer. They will be able to guide and assist you properly.
