In the aftermath of a dog bite, you should seek medical attention for the injury, report the attack to police, and consider your legal options. Dog bites can lead to severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment, according to the Scientific World Journal.
Assess the Injury and Losses Resulting from the Bite
After a dog bites you, you can assess the severity of the bite by seeking immediate medical attention. Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may need some basic first aid, or you may need to visit a medical professional. While you wait for medical attention, you can:
- Wash the bite with warm water and mild soap for 5–10 minutes.
- Apply pressure with a cloth to slow down the bleeding.
- Wrap the bite using a sterile bandage.
Once you have immediately addressed the wound, you should follow up with your doctor and follow through with any treatment plans you receive. Note that even relatively minor dog bites may require medical treatment. This is because dog bite wounds are often deep. Infections can form in the wounds if they are not treated properly. Additionally, you may need to receive vaccines for certain ailments, such as rabies or tetanus.
Medical professionals recommend that you contact a doctor for most dog bites. Some dog bites may expose you to pathogens such as:
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Pasteurella
- Capnocytophaga
Any of these bacteria may lead to a serious infection. You could become very ill if you do not get the appropriate antibiotics. Seeking immediate medical attention, either by going to the hospital, calling an ambulance to the scene, or seeking an urgent care clinic, can help you assess and treat your injuries.
Contact Animal Control for Your Area
After a canine attack, you may need to contact your local animal control agency. Animal control specialists can then travel to your location. Individuals employed by animal control may be able to assess your situation and:
- Track down the dog that bit you if it ran away.
- Help you identify the owner of the dog that bit you.
- Provide you with information about previous attacks by the dog that bit you
- Offer you additional advice about handling a dog bite.
Finding the owner of the dog that bit you may help you build a case after an animal attack. Reporting the incident may also prevent the dog from attacking anyone else. Additionally, you may be able to get compensation for the expenses associated with the canine attack if you can identify the dog’s owner.
In addition to speaking with an animal control professional, you may want to talk to any witnesses who saw the attack. These witnesses may provide confirmation that the attack happened the way you remember. They may also be able to help you identify the owner of the dog that bit you.
Reach Out for Legal Help
You have a right to reach out to a legal professional if you suffer from a dog bite. As we mentioned, dog bites can result in serious injuries. You may require extensive medical treatment to recover from an injury. You may also be unable to return to work for a period of time as you heal from the canine attack.
You may not have to bear the responsibility for covering the costs of your healthcare expenses or your lost wages at work alone. The owner of the dog may be liable for your losses in some situations. Laws regarding liability for dog bites can vary widely depending upon where you live, though.
For example, in some states, dogs are allowed one “free” bite before they classify as dangerous. This means that you may not be able to receive compensation for your losses if the dog never bit anyone before you. Other states place full liability on the dog’s owner, even if the dog never acted aggressively in the past.
You may review your specific legal situation and see how a dog bite lawyer may help. A lawyer may be able to familiarize you with the laws in your area regarding dog attacks. Do not admit fault for the attack or downplay the severity of your injuries. This may prevent you from getting compensation for your losses.
Consider a Dog Bite Lawyer for Your Case
If a dog bites you, you should seek prompt medical attention to handle your injuries. You should also contact animal control and speak with any witnesses who saw the attack. Finally, you should reach out to a dog bite lawyer to get legal assistance on your side. You can contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling (800) 816-0755.
Reach out to us to get a consultation regarding your legal options after a dog bite. You have limited time from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, so call us as soon as your injuries stabilize.