Things to consider when claiming for a dog bite injury or dog attack
- To claim compensation, you must show the dog owner failed to control their pet or was negligent.
- Adults can claim within 3 years of the injury date. Children bitten by dogs can claim up to 3 years after their 18th birthday.
- You can claim under a no win, no fee agreement.
If a dog bite injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Dog bite injuries can be severe, often leading to compensation claims against pet owners for lack of control. Claims can cover medical treatment, psychological harm, and related costs or losses.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury solicitor can help you make a No Win, No Fee claim for an accident in a public place.
With around 8,000 serious dog bite injuries each year, you are not alone
There is evidence from both the NHS and the Royal College of Surgeons that dog bites are increasing, however, but this may be a result of people being more likely to seek medical advice following a bite.
A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) estimated that around 1/4 of Britain's population have been bitten by a dog. This statistic includes everything from nips requiring no medical treatment, to serious bites. Approximately 0.5% of dog bites required hospital admission.
In 2023, there were 30,539 recorded dog bites and dog-caused injuries - a 21% increase on the previous year (bbc.com).
The increasing popularity of smaller breeds may contribute to more incidents, as they are often seen as less dangerous but can still cause serious injuries and permanent scarring. Common dog bite injuries include finger amputations, limb and facial lacerations, nerve damage, and deep puncture wounds, which carry a risk of infection. Victims may also suffer psychological trauma.
How much compensation can I claim for a dog bite injury?
The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog bite or dog attack is determined by:
- the degree of your injury,
- the extent to which your injury impairs your daily life and work,
- the losses and expenses you?ve incurred as a result of your injury.
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.
These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your dog bite injury such as wound care, antibiotics, rabies vaccination and pain medication.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average dog bite injury general damages compensation table
The following dog bite injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Arm injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm fracture(s) | Simple fracture to one or both forearms; | £7,330 to £21,300 |
| Less severe | Less severe injury to one or both arms, with onoing disability but good prospects for recovery | £21,300 to £43,460 |
Facial scarring
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | A hardly noticeable scar (or scars) | £1,890 to £3,920 |
| Moderate | A single scar that can be camouflaged with makeup, or multiple small scars that don't markedly affect your appearance | £4,380 to £15,250 |
| Significant | Significant scarring where the worst affects are reduced by cosmetic surgery, and/or with causing a psychological impact | £10,110 to £33,380 |
| Serious | Substantial disfigurement and/or a significant psychological impact | £19,930 to £53,720 |
| Severe | A younger person (under 30) with substantial disfigurement and/or a significant psychological impact | £33,040 to £107,990 |
Finger injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relatively minor injury | Finger fractures that recover in under 6 months, and/or injuries with tenderness, pain in cold weather, or scarring | Up to £5,270 |
| Index finger fracture | Fracture fully heals, but with ongoing pain, disability and an increased risk of osteoarthritis | £10,110 to £13,570 |
| Serious injury | to ring or middle finger | £11,450 to £18,130 |
| Finger fractures | Fractures that cause deformity, affect sensation, and/or have a long term affect on your grip and ability to use your hand | Up to £40,760 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Short-term and minor soft tissue injuries | Up to £13,140 |
| Less serious | Less serious injuries, e.g. simple leg fractures | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| Moderate | Including multiple leg fractures and crush injuries | £30,800 to £43,490 |
Non-facial body scars
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Burns with scarring and ongoing pain | £2,630 to £8,690 |
| Moderate | Scarring such as an exploratory laparotomy scar | Around £9,590 |
| Serious | A noticeable laceration scar or single disfiguring scar | £8,690 to £25,220 |
Post-traumatic stress
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Full, or near full, recovery within 1 to 2 years | £4,380 to £9,070 |
| Moderate | Mostly complete recovery | £9,070 to £25,680 |
| Serious | Significant impact on your life and work, and permanent effects but with a likelihood of improvement with professional support and treatment | £25,680 to £66,410 |
The impact of psychological injuries
Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.
Our 2025 Public Place Injury Claimant Survey highlights that 29.03% of claimants reported they had suffered a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.
A dog bite can lead to a long-term phobia of dogs (cynophobia) and anxiety in any situations where dogs might be present. This phobia can make it difficult to visit friends or family with dog, socialise in public, or even walk down the street.
Your solicitor will help ensure that any psychological harm you have suffered as the result of another party's negligence is recognised and included in the calculation of your compensation award or settlement. In addition, you can also claim for mental health treatment costs that may not be readily available on the NHS.
Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.
Do I have a dog bite injury claim?
Yes, you can start a compensation claim for a dog bite injury or dog attack, if:
- you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
- another party was at fault, and;
- that party owed you a legal duty of care.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
What if I was partially at fault?
Personal injury claims where both the defendant and claimant share some responsibility are relatively common.
In our recent 2025 Public Liability Injury Claimant Survey, 17.45% of respondents thought they could be partially to blame for their accident.
When fault on both sides caused a claimant's injuries, this is called 'contributory negligence'. In these situations, compensation may still be payable on the basis of a split liability agreement.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How long do I have to start a dog bite injury claim?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.
If you were injured when you were under 18, a parent, guardian or adult 'litigation friend' can make a claim on your behalf. Once you turn 18, you have until your 21st birthday to start an injury claim.
The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (DDA) introduced breed-specific legislation (BSL) - a ban on the ownership of certain breeds that were regarded as more dangerous than others (including Pit Bull Terriers and Japanese Tosas). However, the Act also recognised that any breed of dog (however usually placid and friendly) might attack a person.
Section 3 of the DDA 'Keeping dogs under proper control' makes it an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control, anywhere, including its own home.
What if the dog attack happened on its owner's premises?
More than a third of all dog attacks are sustained by postal workers and delivery drivers in the course of their employment, with the Royal Mail reporting 2,600 attacks on its staff in the last year. Dog attacks on postal workers increase by around 10% during the summer months when dogs are loose in gardens.
As dogs are territorial animals, even the best-behaved may become aggressive if they feel they or their family are threatened by someone entering their property. However, this is no defence for an owner whose dog attacks someone on that property. Since May 2014, when the DDA was amended to extend the legislation, it has been an offence for a dog to be out of control on private property as well as in a public place. This includes front and back gardens and yards.
All homeowners have a duty of care to those who are lawfully visiting their property and are therefore liable for any injury to postal workers, delivery drivers or any other visitors, caused by their dog attacks. A successful claim will involve demonstrating the owner was negligent in that duty of care.
What if the dog's owner cannot be identified?
Anyone sustaining an injury through a dog attack has a right to claim compensation. If a dog is running loose, it may be impossible to establish who the dog belongs to or who is responsible for keeping the dog under control. Where there is no one to bring a claim against, it may be possible to make a claim from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Read more:
How to make a claim through the CICA.
What led to your dog bite injury?
The claims process for a dog bite injury will depend on where and how the accident happened. Click the icons below for more information:
Can I make a no win, no fee dog bite injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim dog bite injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
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Rising fatalities, injuries, and NHS costs: dog bites as a public health problem | The BMJ (reviewed: 27/07/2024)
Author:
Jonathan Speight, Senior litigator
About the author
Jonathan Speight has over 30 years' experience in the personal injury sector and has been awarded the rank of Senior Litigator by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).