Bitten by a dog: this is how you claim compensation

If you have been bitten by a dog, in almost all cases you can recover your damages from the owner of the animal. This is due to Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code: the possessor of an animal is, in principle, strictly liable for the damage caused by the animal, even if they are not personally at fault. You therefore do not need to prove that the owner was negligent — the fact that *his* dog bit you is sufficient. In practice, such a claim is paid from the dog owner's personal liability insurance (AVP). The first thing that matters after a bite is having your wound treated and recording the owner's details.

The short answer

• What: after a dog bite, you recover your damages from the owner of the dog pursuant to Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code (strict liability).
• When: immediately after the incident. Have the wound medically assessed, record the owner's details, and document the situation with photos and witnesses.
• Amount: all damage counts — medical costs, deductible, damaged clothing, travel expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain, anxiety, and any scarring (Art. 6:106 BW).
• Costs: in a recoverable case, the costs of your legal assistance are also recovered from the liable party (Art. 6:96 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code). In that case, assistance from a personal injury expert costs you nothing.

What should you do immediately after a dog bite?

The first few minutes and hours often determine how strong your case will be later. Follow this sequence:

1. Treat the wound. Rinse the bite thoroughly with soap and water and have it assessed by a GP, out-of-hours GP clinic, or the emergency department. A dog bite can become infected quickly; sometimes a tetanus shot or antibiotics are necessary.
2. Note down the owner's details. Name, address, and telephone number, and ask if the dog has liability insurance. Without this information, recovery becomes more difficult.
3. Document the incident. Take photos of the wound and the location, and note what happened. Was the dog on a leash? Was he off-leash? Did he react to anything?
4. Gather witnesses. Ask for the name and phone number of people who saw it happen.
5. Keep your receipts. Damaged clothing, deductible, travel expenses to the doctor — everything you have lost is part of your damages.

In the event of a serious bite or a biting incident involving a dangerous dog, also report it to the municipality or the police. This is not a condition for your claim, but it can help with evidence later.

Who is liable: the Animal Welfare Act (Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code)

The core of a dog bite claim is strict liability. Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code places responsibility on the possessor of the animal — usually the owner. An animal acts on its own initiative and is unpredictable; the legislator therefore considers it reasonable that the risk of damage lies with the keeper, and not with the accidental victim.

In concrete terms, this means:

• You do not need to prove the owner's guilt . That the dog bit is enough.
• Liability also applies if the owner had the dog properly on a leash and could do nothing.
• If the dog was in commercial use at the time of the incident (for example, by a dog walking service or breeder), then, pursuant to Article 6:181 of the Dutch Civil Code, the person using the animal commercially may be liable instead of the owner.

Would you like to read the text of the law yourself? You can find it at wetten.overheid.nl. A dog bite is a specific form of a broader subject; for the full picture, also read our page on personal injury caused by a dog, which also covers being knocked over or a startled reaction.

The owner's liability insurance: this is where your damages are paid from

Virtually every Dutch person with personal liability insurance (AVP) has included their animal in the policy. Therefore, a dog bite claim usually does not result in a conflict with the neighbor or the dog owner themselves, but is handled by their insurer. This is convenient: it keeps the relationship professional, and the insurer is accustomed to assessing this type of damage.

If the owner does not have liability insurance, he remains personally liable and you can sue him directly. That makes recovery more difficult, but not impossible. A personal injury lawyer can assess which course of action is likely to succeed in your situation.

What damages can you recover?

With a dog bite, people often only think of the visible wound, while the damage is much broader. You can claim, among other things:

• Medical costs and deductible: treatment in the Emergency Department, antibiotics, a tetanus shot, possible scar correction.
• Material damage: damaged clothing, damaged glasses or a phone, travel expenses to the doctor and hospital.
• Loss of income: if you are (temporarily) unable to work due to the bite, lost income is part of your damages.
• Domestic help: if you can no longer do the household chores due to your injury, even if loved ones take over.
• Pain and suffering compensation: compensation for pain, fear, grief, and shock (Art. 6:106 BW). Dog bites often cause a lasting fear of dogs, especially in children.

We explain how to substantiate your total damages on our page about compensation. For compensation for suffering and scars, read more under pain and suffering.

Scars and compensation after a dog bite

A dog bite frequently leaves a scar, sometimes on the face. Factors influencing the amount of compensation for pain and suffering include: the visibility and location of the scar, the pain and the course of treatment, and psychological consequences such as anxiety. There is no fixed amount — the amount always depends on the specific consequences for you. Indications of ranges per severity are derived, among other sources, from case law that you can find via rechtspraak.nl. We claim your compensation for pain and suffering based on comparable, recognized cases, ensuring that your claim is both realistic and comprehensive.

Special situations: children and personal fault

Two situations deserve extra attention:

• Children. Many dog ​​bites happen to children, often to the face. The claim is then filed on behalf of the child by the parents. Moreover, with young children, it is difficult to assume "personal fault," which makes their position strong.
• Contributory negligence (Art. 6:101 BW). If you deliberately teased the dog or ignored a clear warning, the insurer may argue that part of the damage is at your own expense. In the case of an ordinary bite without provocation, this rarely plays a major role.

A specialized personal injury expert recognizes such a defense and knows when it is justified and when the insurer is unnecessarily trying to reduce your claim. For the broader context of animal liability, you can visit the accident with an animal.

This is how claiming your damages works

1. Free intake. You tell us what happened; we assess liability based on Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code.
2. Notice of liability. We hold the owner or his liability insurer liable in writing.
3. Mapping out the damage. All items are substantiated, from deductible to compensation for pain and suffering.
4. Negotiation. We claim your maximum compensation and request an advance payment where necessary.
5. Settlement. The matter is being settled; we only go to court in the event of an impasse.

How much does help for a dog bite cost?

In a recoverable case, the liable party also bears the reasonable costs of your legal assistance (Article 6:96 paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code). As long as the dog owner is liable, you therefore pay nothing for our help — with us, this is 100% paid by the insurer. We are a specialized personal injury firm, affiliated with the National Quality Mark for Personal Injury and the Personal Injury Council. We always discuss clearly in advance whether your case is recoverable.

Honest recommendation

Is the bite superficial, healed quickly, and do you have no lasting complaints or significant costs? Then you can often settle your limited damages directly with the owner or their insurer — you do not necessarily need a personal injury lawyer for this. Is there a scar, lasting anxiety, lost income, or a dispute regarding liability? Then professional help is almost always advisable, especially since it costs you nothing in a recoverable case. Also, do not wait too long: evidence fades and witnesses become harder to reach over time.

Do you want to know where you stand? Schedule a free consultation or request a free intake . We will assess your case free of charge and claim your maximum compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions