Dog Bite Lawyer in Calgary

Usually the owner or the person in control of the dog, on the basis that they failed to take reasonable care in the circumstances. Strict liability can also arise where the owner knew the animal was prone to that kind of behaviour. Where the attack happened on premises, the occupier may also be liable. Alberta assesses these claims on negligence and common-law principles rather than through an automatic-fault statute.

Provocation is commonly alleged, and it is frequently disputed — particularly where the injured person is a child. Alberta apportions damages where more than one party is responsible rather than barring the claim, so even where some responsibility is found, a claim can succeed with damages reduced accordingly. Witness evidence and the animal's documented history are usually what resolves it.

In most injury claims the period is two years — but it does not simply run from the date of the incident. It runs from the point at which you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, three things: that you were injured, that the injury was attributable to someone else's conduct, and that it was serious enough to warrant bringing a proceeding. A separate ten-year outer limit runs from when the claim arose, and whichever period expires first governs. Different rules apply to minors and to people under a disability. Because the analysis is fact-specific, the safe course is to ask early rather than assume.

We act on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless compensation is recovered. Disbursements — the out-of-pocket costs of running a file, such as medical records, expert reports and court filing fees — and applicable taxes may still apply. We will explain the arrangement in writing before you retain us.