What You Need To Do Right Away After Getting Bitten By A Dog
Most dogs are friendly and affectionate, but even the most docile animals can snap under certain circumstances. Even though they have rounded teeth, these adorable, furry creatures can cause serious damage to the tissues, bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels under the skin, depending on the amount of pressure exerted by their jaws.
Anyone can get bitten by a dog. You may come across a wild canine while hiking or camping, and they might bite you to defend their territory. Or, a stranger’s dog might bite you accidentally while petting them. In any case, there are certain steps you need to take in these types of accidents. Read on to learn what you need to do right away after getting bitten by a dog.
Treat the Wound
If a dog’s teeth pierce your skin, bacteria can transfer from their mouth into your body, possibly causing an infection, such as rabies, sepsis, or tetanus. To prevent this, you need to clean the wound immediately by thoroughly rinsing it with mild soap and warm tap water for five to ten minutes. After flushing out the bacteria, you should apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound.
If you suffered a deep wound, press a clean, dry cloth firmly against the injured area to control the bleeding before seeking medical attention. If possible, try to take pictures of your injuries before treating them to accurately document the incident. This will come in handy later on if you decide to pursue legal action against the dog’s owner.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your wound isn’t that deep, you should still see a doctor within eight hours of the incident to eliminate any risk of infection. This is especially important if you have diabetes, a compromised immune system, or any condition that may increase your risk of infection. Your doctor will likely clean the wound again and reapply antibiotic cream to the injured area.
They may also prescribe antibiotic tablets if the wound was contaminated, and if you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past five years, they may recommend a booster dose. Depending on the place and severity of the injury, you may require stitches to close the wound. If you aren’t sure about the dog’s medical history, your physician may administer a post-exposure rabies vaccine to prevent the onset of rabies.
Gather More Information about the Attack
If possible, you should ask the dog’s owner or caretaker about the canine’s vaccination history. Rabies shots can be painful, but if the dog in question is vaccinated, you don’t need to take the post-exposure rabies shot. You should also talk to any eyewitnesses who were present at the scene and get their contact information should you decide to seek compensation from the pet owner. Speaking of which, you should also collect the insurance and contact information of the dog’s owner in order to pursue a claim.
However, you must be careful not to compromise your case in the process of exchanging information. As the Houston-based personal injury lawyers at Fleming Law, P.C advise, you should not discuss the details of the attack with the pet owner because they might twist your words to avoid taking responsibility for their canine’s aggressive actions. The same goes for insurance adjusters. You should not, under any circumstances, discuss the incident with the liable party’s insurance company without the presence of your lawyer.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you incur high medical expenses due to your injury, you are entitled to file a claim or a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. To build a strong case, you must document the effects of the injury, including pain, impaired mobility, and inability to perform certain activities. Your lawyer will also ask you to keep a record of your medical bills, lost income, compromised earning potential, travel costs, as well as other expenses you incurred. This information will allow them to accurately estimate the amount of compensation you deserve.
Consulting a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience in handling similar cases will increase your chances of reaching a fair settlement. In addition to gathering sufficient evidence and negotiating with the other party’s insurance company, they may also help you file a report with your local animal control service to prevent further attacks.
Dog bites can have significant medical, legal, and financial repercussions, so it pays to know the steps you need to take in these situations. First off, you’ll need to clean and treat the wound to reduce the risk of infection, after which you need to seek medical attention to avoid any complications. Once you ensure your physical wellbeing, you might need to seek legal counsel to examine your options should you choose to claim compensation for your injuries. With these tips in mind, you should be able to protect your health and finances in the event of a canine attack.
