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Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Posted on : December 1, 2016

Being bitten by a dog is an upsetting experience, regardless of whether the bite seems minor or is an emergency. If you or a loved one were attacked by a dog, take these steps immediately after the injury. These actions will help you reduce the chances of medical complications, and will protect your right to compensation.

Stop the Attack and Detain the Dog

The first thing you need to do is stop the dog from biting or attacking. If the dog latched onto your body and you can use one or both hands, lift the dog’s back legs off the ground. This usually surprises them enough that they’ll stop the attack. When the dog stops attacking, try to detain the animal. This way, it can be transported to a vet for a rabies check. However, do not put yourself back in harm’s way to detain the dog.

Administer Emergency First Aid

As soon as possible, administer emergency first aid. Press a cloth firmly over the wound to stop the bleeding. Call 911 if the bite is bad enough to require an ambulance. If not, you may be able to travel to the emergency or a doctor’s office on your own. The most important thing you can do after a dog bite is get emergency medical help, because in some cases you may need to get treated for rabies.

Get Information About the Dog and/or Its Owner

Once you’ve gotten emergency help and are in a stable medical condition, begin gathering information about the dog that attacked you and/or its owner. Obtain the name and phone number of the owner of the dog if there is one, and ask about the owner’s insurance coverage.

Contact an Attorney

Contacting an attorney after you’ve been bitten is also important. Sometimes obtaining compensation from the owner’s insurance company can be difficult, but a dog bite lawyer can help you get the full and fair financial restitution you deserve for the injuries you’ve sustained.

At Chalker Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to help you bring forward a claim after a dog attack. We understand how devastating it can be to be the victim of a dog bite. Call today for a consultation at (678) 319-9991.

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