Getting bitten by a dog is both frightening and potentially dangerous. In this blog post, a dog bite lawyer will share what you should do directly after you’re bitten. You’ll also learn a little about dog bites and liability. Our hope is that you’ll feel more prepared if you’re bitten by a dog. Let’s get started.
Bitten By A Dog? Follow These Steps
If you’re bitten by a dog, you should:
- Apply a clean cloth with firm pressure to help slow or stop the bleeding.
- Call the authorities to get a police report. This is also helpful to do if the dog is loose because law enforcement can be on the lookout for the dog.
- Take photos of your wounds and the dog, if you can.
- When you call the authorities, they will likely send out an ambulance to look at your wound.
- If you’re treating the wound yourself, use antibacterial ointment to help ensure the bite doesn’t get infected.
- Make sure you get medical treatment, especially if your face, neck, hands, or feet were the object of attack.
If any of the following is a factor, you’ll also want to seek medical attention as recommended by our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC:
- You don’t know if the dog had its rabies shot.
- You have severe bleeding from the wound.
- The bite is deep.
- You notice the wound swelling, hurts more, turns red, or is warm. These are signs of infection.
- If you’re not sure if you should seek medical advice about the wound, stick to the safe side and seek the medical attention you may need.
- You have a serious health problem such as diabetes or an autoimmune disease.
If you know who owns the dog, you should inform them immediately of the bite and ask if the dog is up to date on its shots. If the dog runs off and the owners are not found, you should go to the hospital immediately for treatment for things like rabies.
What You Should Know About Dog Bites And Liability
Liability for the dog bite will depend on where you live. Here’s what you should know about the basics:
- 36 states operate on strict liability which holds the dog owner responsible for the bite. With strict liability, the dog owner is held responsible for the bite even if they were unaware of the dog’s propensity to attack.
- Some states list provocation as a defense for the dog. In short, if the dog is provoked, the owner may not be fully liable for the attack.
- Some states have dog bite statutes that turn the bite into either a misdemeanor or felony.
- Some states use comparative negligence but caps the comparison at 50%.
- Landlords are generally not held liable if a tenant’s dog attacks or bites someone.
If you have been injured by a dog, seek medical treatment immediately. Then, contact a helpful personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to start your unique case and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.