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After A Dog Bite What Is The First Thing I Should Do?

On behalf of greg

Most people do not take a lot of time to think about what would happen if they get bitten by a dog. However, the aftermath of a dog bite or a dog attack can be confusing. The steps that victims of these incidents take can dramatically affect their ability to secure compensation. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our Philadelphia dog bite attorneys want to discuss what you need to do immediately after getting bitten by a dog.

Seek medical care immediately

We know that there are approximately 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year in the United States. While not all of these bites or serious or require medical attention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that nearly one out of every five dog bite victims require medical care. That equates to around 800,000 to 900,000 people each year.

It is not uncommon for our Philadelphia dog bite injury attorneys to see the following injuries to clients:

  • Severe damage to soft tissue
  • Severed ligaments, veins, arteries, and tendons
  • Broken bones
  • Finger amputations
  • Disfigurement

By seeking medical attention immediately, you are ensuring that your well-being comes first. Even a seemingly “minor” dog bite injury can become infected and cause serious long-term damage. Some dogs are not vaccinated against rabies, and any puncture wound could expose the bite victim to this disease.

Document everything about the case

As soon as you are medically able, you will want to document everything about your case in order to preserve evidence. If possible, take photographs of any injuries. You can also take photographs of the dog responsible if you are able to do so. If there were eyewitnesses to the dog bite, get their names and contact information. You should consider filing a report with local law enforcement or animal control agencies. Not only will they investigate your case, but this could prevent future dog bites from the same animal.

Make sure you keep all medical records related to the dog bite injury treatment. With these records, along with the documentation gathered, you are taking steps to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your case.

As soon as possible, contact a Philadelphia dog bite attorney who is familiar with these types of cases and will be ready to fight on your behalf.

We will help secure the compensation you need

If you or somebody you care about has been bitten and injured by a dog due to the carelessness or negligence of the dog’s owner, seek legal assistance today. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., We are going to investigate what happened and work to secure the following compensation:

  • Your medical expenses related to the dog bite injuries
  • Lost wages if you are unable to work while you recover
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the dog’s owner

When you need a Philadelphia dog bite attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 866-597-8572.