Common Injuries and Medical Issues after a Dog Bite
Getting bit by a dog can be horrific. It can lead to a number of common injuries and medical issues after a dog bite occurs. If you’ve been bit and you need help, it’s crucial to get in contact with a personal injury lawyer who can assist you.
Do you need experienced and effective representation to assist you with a legal issue? Then get in touch with Robin D. Perry. The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates provide vigorous representation to clients and are a goal-oriented and values-driven firm. We develop creative strategies to win every case, every time and are confident we can help you with your dog bite case. Reach out to us today to get started.
Dog Bite Laws in California
Before discovering the types of injuries and medical issues you may experience following a dog bite, you should learn about dog bite laws in California. Then, you can decide whether or not it’s worth pursuing your case.
California law states that a dog owner is liable if the injured person was bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place when the dog bite occurred. For instance, if you were bitten at the dog park, while walking around your block, or at a store, the dog owner would likely be responsible. Additionally, if you were at a friend’s house and their dog bit you, they would probably be liable. But if you were trespassing on someone’s property or didn’t have the right to be somewhere and you got bit, you may not be able to claim compensation.
Dog owners cannot claim their dog never bit someone or they didn’t know their dog was dangerous and expect not to pay. These are not excuses. As the dog owner, they are responsible for their pet’s behavior. They must do whatever they can to protect people as well as other animals from their aggressive dog, which may mean muzzling them or keeping them locked behind a sturdy fence.
Keep in mind that if you provoked the dog in any way, then you may be liable for your injuries. For instance, let’s say a dog was at the park and you went up to him, stared him in the eyes, and growled. If the dog bit you, it’s probably because it was scared and felt like it had to defend itself. You might not be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
The dog bite accident may have been partly your fault, and partly the dog’s/owner’s fault, in another scenario. Or, the dog may have lunged at you but didn’t actually bite you. It’s important to speak to a personal injury lawyer no matter what the situation was.
Now, here are some injuries you may have experienced from a dog bite.
Common Injuries and Medical Issues from Dog Bites
Dogs bite millions of people every single year in the United States. However, some bites are more serious than others. Even if a bite doesn’t break the skin, it can cause damage, and you could be eligible for compensation.
Some common dog bite injuries include punctured or broken skin, eye injuries, broken bones, scarring, nerve damage, tissue damage, head and neck injuries, and face injuries. Additionally, this event could take an emotional toll on you, and you may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, especially around dogs, depression, and other forms of trauma. Even a bite from a small dog can cause major issues.
What to Do After a Dog Bite: After a dog bites you, get away from the dog that attacked you and into a safe spot. Then, collect evidence of your injury and the incident, including photos of your injury and any damage to your belongings. Ask the dog’s owner for their insurance and contact information, and take witness statements from anyone who saw what happened. Look for video cameras in the area to see if anything was captured on tape. If you were in a business, they may have cameras, and if you were on the street, people’s Ring cameras could have recorded the incident.
Make sure you get to the hospital as soon as possible to treat your dog bite. You need to ask the dog’s owner if their dog is up to date on his vaccinations – especially for rabies. When you’re at the hospital, get X-rays to see if there is internal damage you may not know about.
Then, do as your doctor recommends. This could include going to follow-up appointments, scheduling surgery, taking prescription meds, and more. If you do not keep up with your care, it’ll look like you aren’t taking your injuries seriously, or that your injuries aren’t that severe.
Should I Accept a Settlement From the Insurance Company?
Following a dog bite, you may hear from the dog owner’s insurance company. They may offer you a settlement right off the bat. While it may seem like a good idea to take this offer, it’s not. The insurance company is not giving you a proper settlement. They are trying to get you out of their hair and make it so you won’t pursue further compensation.
Don’t let the insurance company know anything about what happened until you’ve consulted with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in dog bites. You may say something that could be used against you later on. If you accept the first settlement, you wouldn’t be able to get a more suitable one down the line.
If you’re worried about paying your medical bills, let your personal injury lawyer know. They will show you all your options, including going through their network of providers. If you get treatment from your lawyer’s network, they would get paid once you get your settlement. Also, you don’t have to pay your lawyer unless they can get you a settlement. You really have nothing to lose.
You could receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, damage to your belongings, and more. It’s always worth it to get in touch with an experienced dog bite lawyer with excellent case results to back up their work. Then, you can gain some peace of mind during this tumultuous time since you know you have someone on your side.
Contact Robin D. Perry & Associates
Did a dog bite and injure you? Then it’s time to get in touch with the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates. No matter what, we will fight on your behalf during your time of need. Call us at 562-216-2944 or contact us on our website to schedule your consult today. We look forward to assisting you with your case and helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
