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What To Do After a Dog Bite
Being bitten by a dog is scary. The physical injuries after a dog bite can be severe, and the psychological trauma can last a lifetime. If you were injured by a dog bite, it is important to seek first aid quickly, then get additional medical attention. Once you have addressed your immediate physical concerns, you should contact the Michigan dog bite lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., to discuss your rights and legal remedies.
Request the Dog Owner’s Contact Information
After a dog bite, be sure to get the name and contact information of the dog owner. In addition, ask if the dog is up to date on its rabies shots and request contact information for the dog’s veterinarian.
You should also ask the dog owner for their homeowner’s insurance information, as dog bite injuries are often covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
Take Photographs of the Dog, the Neighborhood, and Your Injuries
Take as many pictures as you can. Photograph the dog, the dog owner, the address and street names of the location where the attack occurred, the make, model, and license plate of vehicles that were in the vicinity, and other information that can be used to identify where the dog bite occurred, possible witnesses to the incident, and information about the owner.
You should also take photos of your injuries, especially torn or bloody clothing, bite marks, torn flesh, and any bruises you suffered.
Seek Medical Attention After a Dog Bite
You can reduce the likelihood of infection by treating dog bite injuries quickly.
If the bite did not break the skin, wash the area with soap and warm water, then use an antibacterial ointment to reduce the chance of infection.
If the dog bite did puncture the skin, clean the area with soap and warm water and apply pressure to control the bleeding. Then contact a medical provider for additional treatment.
Report the Dog Bite to the Police
If your injuries were anything other than a minor scratch, you should report the dog bite to the police. If the dog or its owner are hostile, the police can help obtain information you will need to make a claim.
Reporting a dog bite will also trigger an investigation, and the dog owner might be required to take precautions to protect other people from being bitten. If the dog is being mistreated, a police investigation can shed light on inhumane conditions.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Common injuries caused by a dog bite include
- Cuts and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Scratches
- Infections
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Psychological trauma
Dog Bites to the Face
Unfortunately, injuries to the face are common after a dog bite. Even with prompt medical attention, dog bites to the face often result in severe injuries and permanent scars. Many victims of dog bites seek plastic surgery to have scars repaired and revised. Children who were bitten by a dog often must wait until their teenage years before they can seek plastic surgery. As a result, they spend much of their childhood and adolescence with embarrassing facial scars. And even with plastic surgery, many facial scars are never completely eliminated.
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries?
Michigan law applies strict liability to dog bite injuries, making the dog owner responsible for almost any dog bite injury caused by their dog.
There are generally only two defenses to a dog bite injury: (1) that the victim was provoking the dog; or (2) that the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property.
To recover financial compensation for a dog bite injury, you do not need to prove that the dog has injured other people before or that the dog was required to put up a fence or signs warning people of the dog.
Contact the Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers at Muth Law, P.C. Today,
If you suffered a dog bite injury, the dog bite lawyers at Muth Law can evaluate your situation and help you recover the compensation you deserve. We have extensive experience handling dog bite claims in Michigan, and we know what it takes to hold a dog owner responsible for the injuries you suffered after a dog bite.
We will help you obtain the compensation you deserve, including money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Punitive damages (in some cases)
At Muth Law, we will help you put your life back together after the trauma of a dog bite. And you will never pay a fee unless we recover money for you.
If you have questions about a dog bite injury, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced Michigan dog bite attorneys. We'll listen as you tell us about your case, and we'll answer your questions based on more than 35 years of practicing personal injury law.
Call Muth Law, P.C. at 734-481-8800, email us at info@muthlawpc.com, or complete our online form. We look forward to helping you and your family.
