You are out for a walk and decide to test a different route than you normally would. The fence in front of you is tall and blocks the yard of the house you will pass next. As you amble your way around the fence, you hear a dog’s sharp, angry bark. Suddenly, a large dog is tearing towards you from behind the fence and before you know it, the dog sinks its teeth directly into your leg.
If you have gone through the experience of being bitten by a dog, whether or not it was a dog you knew, there are several steps to take to care for your injury and to build a personal injury case if you decide to sue the dog’s owner. Make sure to get in contact with us here at LeBaron and Jensen to get help with your case.
How To Care For A Dog Bite
The first step that you need to take when bitten by a dog is wash the gash with soap and water. Take care especially if the wound is deep or lacerated. Use a clean cloth to help the bleeding subside and apply a bandage with antibiotic cream if possible. The biggest concern with dog bites is that it will get infected. Visit the doctor as soon as possible in order to avoid an infection.
Try to remember what the dog looked like and other smaller details so that you can let your doctor know. With this information, the doctor can better know whether the dog may have transferred certain diseases to you and how to treat your injuries. Keep a bandage on the bite until you are able to get to the doctor and make sure to change the bandages out regularly after the bite has been looked at. It is also important to report the incident immediately to the authorities.
How To Handle A Dog Bite Claim
After being bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue a lawsuit against the animal’s owner. It is a pet owner’s legal responsibility to stop their pet from hurting others or damaging property. So if you were hurt by a dog or another animal, you have a right to pursue legal action. A dog bite victim may sue a pet owner if their dog caused an injury resulting in issues such as medical expenses, lost wages, psychological trauma or permanent scarring.
The first thing to do, assuming that you have already filed a police report about your injury, is to get in contact with a personal injury attorney. While many dog bite cases can be fought without a lawyer, getting in contact with the right representation can help you get more money and make sure that you understand every part of your case.
Most dog bite cases can be settled out of court, and a personal injury attorney can make sure that you have everything you need to settle. A personal injury attorney can also verify that there is not more that needs to happen or that a case does not need to be taken to trial. Lastly, a lawyer can make sure that you better understand your state’s individual laws regarding animal attacks.
More Questions Regarding Being Bitten By A Dog?
Here at LeBaron & Jensen, we have several experienced personal injury attorneys eager to help you with your animal attack case. We have many resources available to you and are happy to help you learn more about your rights with a free case review. Let us be your contact to help you build your dog bite case, contact us today!
