Dog Bite Guide — Compensation and Legal Liability

Complete Legal Guide: Dog Bites, Liability, and Compensation

A dog bite can leave physical marks and cause significant psychological damage. From a legal perspective, the dog owner or the person responsible for the dog bears full legal liability for any damages caused by the dog, including injuries, infections, scars, and even psychological harm. This guide describes the Israeli legal system regarding dog bites, the victim's rights, compensation methods, and the necessary legal procedures.

With over 18 years of experience, the law firm Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. has represented dozens of victims in dog bite claims against dog owners, insurance companies, and public entities. We understand the physical and emotional pain involved in such an accident, and we are here to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Who is Legally Responsible for a Dog Bite?

Under Israeli tort law, the dog owner bears strict liability for any damage caused by their dog, without the need to prove negligence. This means that even if the dog owner was not negligent — for example, if the dog broke free from its leash due to an unforeseen accident — they are still legally responsible. This differs from other areas of tort law, where it is necessary to prove negligence or wrongdoing.

In addition to the dog owner, the person in control of the dog at the time of the accident (for example, a caregiver, dog walker, guardian, or family member) may also be legally liable if they acted negligently or failed to supervise the dog.

What Types of Damages Can Be Claimed?

A claim resulting from a dog bite can include several types of damages:

• Bodily Injury and Wounds: Any physical harm, from minor punctures and cuts to serious injuries, infections, and permanent scars.
• Medical Expenses: Examinations, treatments, wound cleaning, vaccinations (including rabies vaccination if applicable), surgeries, and cosmetic procedures for scar management.
• Loss of Income: If the victim was forced to be absent from work during the recovery period.
• Psychological Damages: Fear, anxiety, trauma, inability to approach dogs, or inability to leave home. These damages are recognized by Israeli case law as real damages worthy of compensation.
• Cosmetic Damages: Permanent scars, disfigurement, or deformity that affects the victim's quality of life.

Each type of damage requires appropriate evidence — medical records, invoices, witness statements, medical reports, and expert opinions.

Dog Bite Claim Process — Step by Step

When you are injured by a dog bite, it is important to act quickly and systematically. Here are the main stages of a legal claim:

Stage 1: Evidence Collection and Reporting

Immediately after the accident, take the following steps:

• Report the incident to the police or local municipal authority in the city where the accident occurred. This will give you an official report that will serve as evidence.
• Collect details about the dog owner: name, address, phone number, pet liability insurance details.
• Collect testimony from witnesses who saw the accident.
• Document the injury with photographs (if possible, carefully).
• Keep all medical receipts, invoices, and treatment documents.

Stage 2: Insurance Contact and Reporting

Check whether the dog owner has pet liability insurance. Most insurance companies in Israel offer such coverage as part of homeowners insurance or civil liability insurance. Report the incident to the insurance company in writing, attaching all relevant documents. This will open a claims processing procedure for your case.

Stage 3: Legal Assessment and Consultation

Consult with an attorney specializing in tort law. An attorney will help you assess the value of your claim, the damages eligible for compensation, and your chances of success. At Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co., we offer a first consultation at no cost, so you can understand your rights without obligation.

Stage 4: Negotiation with the Insurance Company

Often, a settlement can be reached with the insurance company without going to court. An experienced attorney will negotiate with the insurance company, present your claim, and send formal demand letters. Most cases are resolved through such a settlement, which is faster and saves on legal costs.

Stage 5: Filing a Lawsuit in Court

If a settlement is not reached, you can file a lawsuit in the district court or magistrate's court, depending on the amount claimed. The lawsuit will include all the damages you documented, medical evidence, expert opinions, and legal arguments. The court will hear both sides and issue a judgment.

Stage 6: Enforcement (if necessary)

If you win the lawsuit, the judgment must be enforced — that is, obtaining the compensation through the court's collection office or directly from the insurance company.

Comparison Table: Different Dog Bite Scenarios

To better understand the various ranges, here is a table comparing several typical scenarios:

Important: This table presents general ranges only. Each case is examined individually, according to its specific circumstances, the victim's age, occupation, and the extent of the injury's impact on his or her life. A court or insurance company may determine compensation higher or lower than these ranges based on the evidence presented.

Dog Owner Liability — What Happens If the Dog Has a History of Aggression?

If it is known that the dog has a history of aggression or biting, the dog owner's liability may increase significantly. The court will treat this fact as evidence of negligence, meaning that the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous and nevertheless failed to take necessary steps to protect the public.

Such steps may include: putting the dog on a leash and secure restraint, training the dog, avoiding placing the dog in public areas, or even removing the dog from the home. If the dog owner neglected these steps, he may be required to pay higher compensation.

Dog Owner Liability Insurance — How Does It Help?

Most insurance companies in Israel offer coverage for pet owner liability as part of homeowners insurance or civil liability insurance. This insurance covers the costs of compensation that the dog owner must pay to the injured party. Coverage limits vary — typically between 100,000 and 500,000 NIS, depending on the policy.

When you are injured by a dog bite, you can sue the dog owner's insurance company directly, not just the dog owner himself. This is important because insurance companies have greater financial resources than a private individual, and in most cases they are willing to settle to avoid lengthy court proceedings.

Why choose Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. for a dog bite claim?

Our firm, Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co., specializes in tort law and represents plaintiffs exclusively. For more than 18 years, we have guided hundreds of injured parties through complex personal injury claims, including traffic accidents, workplace accidents, public negligence — and dog bites.

Our values are simple: we believe that every injured party deserves full and prompt compensation, and we work relentlessly to ensure that. Our office is located in Ramat Gan (and also in Petach Tikva), and we offer a free initial consultation, so you can understand your rights without any obligation.

When you choose us, you choose:

• Deep experience: More than 18 years of representing plaintiffs in tort law.
• Personal guidance: We understand that each case is unique, and every injured party matters. We dedicate personal time to each client.
• Strong negotiation: We know how to communicate with insurance companies and achieve fair settlements.
• Courtroom representation: If necessary, we are prepared to go to court and fight for you.
• Complete transparency: We explain each step of the process to you, in clear language and without unnecessary legal jargon.