Thursday 21 June 2012

What Should I Do When Bitten By a Dog?

Having a dog as a pet offers many benefits such as companionship and entertainment. There are many precautions people can take to prevent dogs from biting them, but unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to prevent this 100 percent. Nearly 5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, more than half of them being children. Reports show that almost half of all dog bites are from a dog that the person is familiar with, whether that be their family pet or a friends. Although no one ever anticipates being bitten by a dog, it is important to know what to do when it happens to you or someone you know.

What To Do When Bitten

As with any bite from an animal, immediate medical attention should be sought. Once you have arrived at your local hospital for help with what to do after a dog bite, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as well as a tetanus shot or rabies vaccination. This is important because many dog bites are at risk of becoming infected.

What To Do When Bitten: The Next Steps

*After you have received medial treatment for your dog bite injuries, it is important to obtain the contact information of the dog's owner.

*If the police did not come to the scene of the attack, a police report should be filed.

*Call your local health department to let them know about the attack.

Do I Have a Case?

As long as you can prove that you did not provoke the dog that bit you, the dog's owner is responsible for your medical bills as well as any other losses you incurred due to the accident such as pain and suffering, lost wages and disability and/or disfigurement resulting from the dog bite injury.

If you are hesitant to pursue legal remedies because the dog's owner is a friend or family member, don't be. Homeowners or renters insurance often provides coverage for dog attacks, having little effects on the owner's finances.

Remember that the insurance company you are opening a claim with represents the dog owner. This means that the insurance company will try everything possible to avoid giving you the compensation you deserve.

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