Did you or someone close to you suffer injuries from an animal attack in Vancouver? Animals that attack humans can cause severe physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma. If you can identify the animal’s owner, you could hold them liable and recover animal attack compensation for your losses.
Keep reading for answers to some of the most common legal questions surrounding animal attacks in British Columbia. For a free, personalized consultation about your case, contact the award-winning personal injury lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP today.
What Animal Attacks Are Most Common?
The most common types of animal attacks that occur in Canada:
- Dog bites – About four million dogs currently live in Canada, and an estimated 500,000 dog bite incidents occur nationwide each year. Three in four dog bite victims are children under the age of 10, who typically get hurt by pets of family members and friends.
- Bear attacks – Canada is home to roughly 380,000 black bears, 26,000 grizzly bears, and 15,000 polar bears. Five people, one of whom suffered minor injuries, recently had a close call with a black bear in North Vancouver.
- Moose incidents – Moose can attack when agitated, which happens even in suburban B.C. neighborhoods. Most often, moose threaten Canadian motorists by crossing highways, causing hundreds of car accidents each year.
- Wolf attacks – Though eastern and Arctic wolves roam Canada, wolf attacks are relatively rare. Some reported wolf incidents have occurred when wolves have been attracted to unattended human garbage.
What Should I Do If an Animal Attacked Me?
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and seek compensation for your injuries if you are the victim of an animal attack:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if your injuries seem minor, you should have a doctor diagnose, treat, and document your condition. Infections are common after animal bites, and you may need to consider treatment for transmissible diseases like rabies.
- Report the attack to the authorities – If a dog or pet animal attacked you, contact Animal Services. If you were attacked by a wild animal, such as a bear or moose, report the incident to your local Conservation Officers.
- Gather evidence – If possible, take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the attack. You should also get contact information for any witnesses to the attack.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer – An experienced lawyer can determine your legal options after an animal attack. They can also help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Who Pays for My Injuries After an Animal Attack?
If the animal that attacked you was a pet or another domesticated animal, the animal’s owner might be liable for your injuries. In that case, you could file a claim for animal attack compensation with their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy if it covers the animal or bring a suit against the owner directly.
Wild animals are not usually under anyone’s control, so you could only seek compensation from another party in certain circumstances. Some examples would be if a wildlife park or zoo were responsible for a wild animal that escaped or if a third party dumped illegal waste that attracted the animal to the property.
How Do I File a Claim After an Animal Attack?
If a dog bites you, you can file a suit for damages against the pet owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance provider. This claim should cover your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses up to the policy limits.
To file a claim, you need evidence such as police reports, medical records, and receipts for any expenses related to the attack. The insurance company will review the evidence and decide whether you are entitled to compensation. If the claim is denied or you need to file suit against the owner directly, your case may go to court.
What Do I Have to Prove for Compensation After an Animal Attack?
If a domesticated animal attacked you, you must prove either that the owner was negligent in their handling of the animal or they knew of the animal’s propensity for violent behavior. You must also demonstrate the nature and extent of your injuries, the cost of any related expenses, and any other financial losses you suffered.
If a wild animal attacked you, you would need to prove that the attack resulted from someone else’s negligent or illegal actions, such as the unlawful dumping of food or garbage. It’s essential to consult with a local lawyer who has experience with animal attack cases in British Columbia to understand your options after a wild animal attack.
What Will Happen to the Animal and its Owner if I File a Claim?
The outcome for the animal and its owner depends on the circumstances of the attack and the result of your claim. If you file an insurance claim, the insurer will investigate the incident and determine whether the owner is liable. If liable, the owner will be financially responsible for your losses, though insurance should cover what they owe. In some cases, the insurer may also take steps to protect the public from the animal, like muzzling it or requiring the owner to take specific actions to prevent future incidents.
If you file suit and the action goes to court, the court will likely decide what happens to the animal.
Get Help From an Animal Attack Lawyer in Vancouver, B.C.
If you got hurt in a Vancouver animal attack, contact the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP. Our trusted lawyers have decades of combined legal experience helping injury victims rebuild their lives after being forced to face some of life’s toughest challenges.
We have recovered millions of dollars in fair compensation for our deserving clients, and we’re ready to help you, too. Call or contact us now for your free case review.
