Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

 Posted on February 15, 2018 in Personal Injury

Illinois injury attorneyMany people choose dogs as pets because they bring them joy and companionship. While dogs can make you happy, they can also be dangerous when they attack you and leave you seriously injured. If you have been bitten by a dog, you should take these nine steps to recover safely and ensure your rights are protected.

1. Take Care of Your Wound

Once a dog bites you, press on the wound gently to flush out bacteria. Then, use warm soap and water to wash it. Lastly, add some antibiotic cream to the wound and wrap it with a sterile bandage.

2. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you believe your dog bite is minor, you should visit the doctor and describe the dog bite attack to them. The doctor will thoroughly clean your wound, prescribe you with antibiotics, and suggest stitches or a booster shot if necessary.

3. Report the Incident

Report the dog bite attack to your local animal control and the police department. Doing so will prevent others from being hurt by the same dog and provide you with documentation that can be used as evidence in a lawsuit.

4. Gather Contact Information

Gather the name, address, and phone number of the dog owner. If possible, collect information about the dog as well.

5. Photograph the Attack

Take photos of the dog, its owner, wounds, torn clothing, and anything else that can show aspects of the attack.

6. Document Medical Bills

If your dog bite has left you with medical bills and prescription expenses, you should document them. Documentation may help you recover compensation for them.

7. Write Down What Happened

Write down all of the events and details of your dog bite. This way, you will have something to refresh your memory with when you are discussing the attack days or weeks after it occurred.

8. Keep Your Clothing

Dogs usually tear and bite through clothes. By keeping the clothes you wore when the dog bit you, you can preserve evidence of your attack that may be valuable down the road.

9. Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer

You should find a dog bite lawyer who has experience representing victims of dog bites, is well-versed in dog bite laws and may be able to file a lawsuit on your behalf so that you can collect compensation for your damages.

Consult Our Hinsdale Dog Bite Lawyers

If you have suffered a dog bite, you should reach out to our DuPage County dog bite lawyers today at 630-920-8855. We can hold the dog owner accountable for their negligence and may be able to assist you in obtaining compensation in a lawsuit.

Source:

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bites

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