Burlington Dog Bite Lawyers

A dog bite can be frightening, painful, and disruptive. You don't have to navigate the next steps alone. At UL Lawyers in downtown Burlington, we help you get medical, financial, and legal support in place quickly—and we pursue the full compensation the law allows.

• Free consultation · No fees unless we win
• Burlington & Halton Region (serving clients across Ontario)
• Speak to a lawyer now: 905‑744‑8888

How we help after a dog bite

Early steps matter. We move fast to protect your health, preserve evidence, and position your claim for success. We coordinate with your medical team and insurers, manage communications with the dog owner and their insurer, and prepare the evidence needed for settlement or trial.

Why Burlington clients choose UL Lawyers

• Local and accessible: Head office at 552 Brant Street, minutes from Joseph Brant Hospital and major corridors (QEW/403/407).
• No‑win, no‑fee: You don't pay our legal fees unless we recover money for you. We explain all terms in writing.
• Clear updates: Plain‑language guidance and proactive communication—so you always know what's next.

Ontario law in plain language (DOLA & occupiers' liability)

Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA).

Ontario's DOLA makes a dog's owner liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack on a person (or a domestic animal). You do not have to prove the owner was negligent. If more than one person is an "owner," they can be jointly and severally liable. The court can reduce damages if the injured person's own fault contributed (for example, provoking the dog or ignoring clear warnings).

Who can be an "owner"?

Under DOLA, "owner" includes people who possess or harbour a dog—not just the person listed on a license. In some cases, the person handling or caring for the dog just before the incident may be considered an owner for civil liability purposes.

What about landlords or property owners?

In some situations, responsibility may also arise under Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act (failure to take reasonable care to keep visitors reasonably safe). This is fact‑specific—often turning on whether a landlord or occupier knew or should have known about a dangerous dog and had control to address the risk.

We'll assess which laws apply in your case and pursue all responsible parties.

What to do right now (practical checklist)

1. Get medical care immediately. Follow your doctor's advice, including wound care, tetanus updates, and any rabies assessment.
2. Report the bite to Public Health. In Halton, call 3‑1‑1 so a Public Health Inspector can assess rabies risk and follow up.
3. Document everything. Photos of injuries (over time), location, the dog (if possible), damaged clothing, and your symptoms. Keep names, addresses, and contact details for the dog owner/handler and any witnesses.
4. Preserve evidence and receipts. Save medical records, prescriptions, travel costs, wage loss documents, and out‑of‑pocket expenses.
5. Avoid statements to insurers (other than your own) until you've had legal advice.
6. Call UL Lawyers. We'll guide you, protect deadlines, and start building your claim.

If a child was bitten, seek medical care and call us promptly. We'll explain special timing rules that apply to minors.

Deadlines & time limits (Ontario)

• Basic limitation: In most cases, you have two years from when you knew or should have known you had a claim to start a lawsuit.
• Minors: The limitation clock for children does not run in the usual way. Special rules apply until a litigation guardian is appointed (and typically until age 18).
• Short administrative timelines: Reporting to Public Health should be done as soon as possible for rabies risk assessment and follow‑up.

Deadlines can be complex. We'll calendar your dates and handle notices/filings.

Compensation we pursue

• Pain and suffering (physical and psychological)
• Past and future income loss and loss of earning capacity
• Medical/rehabilitation (wound care, surgery, scar revision, therapy, counselling)
• Out‑of‑pocket expenses (medications, travel, devices)
• Housekeeping/home maintenance where permitted
• Family Law Act claims for close family members (loss of guidance, care, companionship)

Common injuries from dog bites/attacks

• Puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, nerve/tendon damage
• Facial injuries and scarring (including keloid/hypertrophic scarring)
• Fractures or crush injuries from falls or knock‑downs
• Psychological injuries (anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbance), especially in children

Who pays a dog-bite claim?

Claims are often paid by the dog owner's home or renter's liability insurance. If the incident occurred at a business or common area, a commercial or premises policy may respond. We identify available coverage and pursue all responsible parties.

Our process, start to finish

1. Free consultation → We listen, outline your options, and identify urgent steps.
2. Evidence & medical support → We collect records, witness statements, and photos; we coordinate with your treating team and experts where needed.
3. Liability & insurance mapping → We identify owners/occupiers and confirm available insurance coverage.
4. Settlement or litigation → We negotiate from a position of strength; if needed, we commence a court action and prepare for discoveries, mediation, and trial.
5. Resolution & support → Clear settlement advice and transparent fees.

Burlington & areas we serve

We help clients across Burlington—Alton Village, Brant Hills, Corporate, Dynes, Headon Forest, Longmoor, Maple, Millcroft, Palmer, The Orchard—and throughout Halton Region and Ontario. Meet us in person or virtually.

Office: UL Lawyers, 552 Brant Street, Burlington, ON L7R 2G8
Phone: 905‑744‑8888 · Email: info@ullaw.ca