They say that dogs are man’s best friend. However, there are times when we fall out with our friends!
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to know the steps to take to ensure the wound does not end up getting infected. If the bite has broken the skin, an infection can happen.
Should this happen to you due to the negligence of dog owners, you most definitely need to file a case with the help of professional dog bite attorneys.
So, continue reading to discover what you need to do.
The steps to take if you have been bitten by an animal
- You need to clean the wound straight away. Run warm tap water over the wound for a few minutes. It is a wise idea to do this even if the wound does not appear broken.
- You should make sure any objects are removed from the bite, for example, dirt, hair, or teeth.
- Unless the wound is already bleeding freely, it is a good idea to give the wound a bit of a squeeze so that you can encourage it to bleed slightly.
- If the wound is bleeding heavily, you should put a sterile dressing or clean pad over it, applying pressure as you do.
- Dry the wound, covering it with a plaster or a clean dressing.
- If you are in pain, you should take painkillers. A good example is an ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- You should also seek medical advice unless the wound is a very minor one.
If a body part has been severed because of the bite, such as an ear or finger, you should wash it using tag water and wrap it in clean tissue. Wrap it in a plastic bag with ice inside so that it can be transported to the hospital.
Can you claim compensation if you have been bitten by a dog?
From car crashes to slips and trips, there is an abundance of information on the web about the most common types of personal injuries. But what about other incidents, such as dog bites? Can you claim against someone if his or her dog bites you? Keep on reading to discover more about this type of accident.
Let’s begin by stating that these cases are not the easiest in the world. When it comes to all types of personal injury claims you need to be able to prove that someone else is at fault for the injury you have suffered. This is the only way for your case to be a successful one.
This means that you need to be able to prove that the dog’s owner made an error. Now, if a dog bites you randomly and it is completely out of character, can you really blame the owner? It’s unlikely. There are incidents however when you can put this type of accident down to the owner. If the dog has a history of being aggressive and dangerous, then you can say that the owner has failed to safeguard the public. Yet, you will, of course, need to prove that the dog has this negative history.
If you can provide examples of incidents in the past and if you can get a witness on your side to give statements, you will likely be able to build up quite a strong case and thus there is every chance that you could end up getting compensation.
There are some steps you will need to take. You will, of course, need to get the contact information of the dog’s owner. This includes their name, telephone number and their address. Aside from this, you will need to go and see a doctor. It is imperative to be diagnosed professionally, as your medical report will be one of the most essential things when it comes to determining how much money you receive. You will also need an award-winning firm with highly rated injury lawyers to give you the greatest chance of success. Finally, if the incident is particularly bad you may want to consider reporting it to the police.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the different steps you need to take if you have been bitten by a dog. It is important to take the correct steps to treat the area properly so that it does not get infected or worse. Moreover, if you believe the owner is to blame, then there is a chance that you can be compensated for what has happened.
