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Although dogs are men’s best friends, they can bite when provoked, scared, or frightened. In Florida, dog bites are rampant, with more than 600 people hospitalized annually because of dog bite injuries and two succumbing. Whether your neighbor’s dog sneaked into your home and bit you or an unknown mutt attacked you when walking down the street, here are three things to do to promote safety and protect your rights, including working with Vero Beach attorneys.
Administer First Aid
While a dog bite may leave you shaken and traumatized, it is crucial to stay calm and tend to any injuries. Before help arrives, administer first aid, depending on the injury’s severity. For minor injuries, where the skin is intact, clean the wound using warm water and mild soap and apply antibacterial ointment. Use a clean cloth to stop bleeding if the dog’s bite breaks the skin. You can apply an antibacterial cream and wrap the wound with a sterile bandage.
See a Doctor
Research shows that one in five dog bite victims needs medical attention. Therefore, it is best practice to seek medical care if you feel intense pain, have a fever, and the wound is red, swollen, leaks fluids, and exposes muscle and bone. Also, see a doctor when bitten by an unknown dog or one appearing sick, or you can’t recall your last tetanus shot.
Medics recommend seeking medical care within eight hours after a dog bite to lower infection risk. Once in the hospital, a health professional assesses and treats your injuries accordingly. They may clean the wound again and prescribe antibiotics. Many people wonder whether they need a tetanus shot after a dog bite. It depends on your unique injury and the dog that bit you. A medic may recommend a booster vaccine if the dog has rabies signs.
Since dogs’ mouths have numerous bacteria, including Pasteurella and Staphylococcus, they can cause infections. Additionally, dog bite victims may get scars, rabies, broken bones, lacerations, head and neck injuries, and TBIs. Big dogs are likely to cause severe injuries for kids due to their vast size and powerful jaws.
Contact a Lawyer
Dog bite victims can file a personal injury claim and require the dog owner to compensate for damages, and a skilled lawyer is handy. Here are several ways the lawyer helps.
- Investigate the dog: A lawyer helps identify the dog that bit you and, consequently, the owner. The owner can provide valuable data on the dog’s health, such as vaccinations, to determine potential diseases the dog may pass to the victim.
- Conduct discovery: Experienced lawyers investigate how, where, and when the dog bite occurred. They use witness accounts, animal control reports, and scene reconstruction to get details of the bite.
- Obtain medical reports: Documentation is critical when filing a personal injury case. Lawyers must obtain medical reports stating the dog that bit you, injuries incurred, and treatments required, including surgery and therapy. Medical bills are also essential.
- File a complaint: With the relevant information and documentation, the lawyer files a claim against the dog owner. Vero Beach and Florida follow strict dog bite liability statutes, where owners are liable for dog bites whether or not they have a propensity to bite. Also, the lawyer drafts a demand letter outlining the repercussions of the dog bite –hospital bills, emotional trauma, and economic damages.
- Settle or go to court: Reputable lawyers are skilled negotiators and work with insurance adjusters to create a suitable settlement. If not, they prepare for trial and present your case to a jury.
Dog bites are prevalent throughout Florida and have physical and emotional repercussions. Whether a dog bit you at home or in the park, it is essential to administer first aid, seek medical care, and contact a personal injury lawyer for optimal outcomes. Also, protect yourself from dog bites in the future by staying off unknown dogs and avoiding aggressive dog plays, even your own.
