5 Things To Do If You Get Bitten By A Dog
Dogs are man’s best friend. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of having a pet canine, you’ll know precisely what we’re getting at. The love of a dog is immeasurable and unconditional, but if the dog isn’t brought up properly or trained correctly – things can end very differently.
In America practically half of all households own at least one pet dog. Not all dogs are as friendly as your own, so if you get bitten while in public, there are specific steps you need to take afterward.
- Find A Safe Place
The first thing you need to do is get away from the animal as soon as possible. Separate yourself from the animal immediately. In most cases, the dog doesn’t intend to bite you but will if it is threatened or scared.
If the attack is ongoing, you need to put something between you and the dog – such as a pillow, branch, or bag. You must give the dog something else to bite down on.
- Get Help
The next thing you need to do after being bitten by a dog is to get help. Your injuries need to be assessed by a medical professional and cleaned up. Even if your injury seems small – an infection can set in, and that is dangerous to your health.
Small wounds must be cleaned as soon as possible, and a dressing applied to keep the wound clean. If the wound is deep and you’re losing a lot of blood, you must apply pressure to curb the flow before help arrives.
- Take Photos
If possible, take photos of the dog and where the attack took place. These will be necessary for the personal injury lawyer from Lamber Goodnow to assess and advise on your ability to claim. Documentation is crucial to building a case that will cover your expenses and compensate you for the trauma.
You need to find out who owns the dog so you can exchange information. They will be responsible for the costs and damages relating to your injury and the attack. Dogs don’t always get put down after an attack, but diseases are a concern when it comes to dog bites the authorities need to know about the attack as well.
- Get Compensated
Dog bites can cost thousands in medical bills, depending on the severity of the injury. Even if the bite occurred at a friend’s house, you still need to get compensated. Public dog bites are frequently more complex and require a lawyer to navigate the case.
It’s good to have a professional in your corner who can explain things and fight on your behalf. Most personal injury attorneys have experience dealing with dog bite cases, so even if you don’t know what to do – they will.
- Take Time Off
Dog bites don’t just cause physical scars. Being bitten by a dog, especially a large breed animal, can be traumatic and leave you shaken for months or even years to come. There is a ton of collateral damage that comes in these kinds of situations, so take the time to heal and decompress.
5 Things To Do If You Get Bitten By A Dog
