What To Do After Dog Bite Incident

For many people, dogs are loyal and friendly companions. But every dog, regardless of its size or breed, has the potential to bite. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, and over 800,000 of those require medical attention. At least half are children. Dog bite injuries can cause serious injuries, including puncture wounds, scarring, infection, and even death.

Dog bite injuries often require extensive and painful plastic surgery, which can result in substantial medical bills. People who have been bitten by a dog often suffer severe emotional trauma and even a lifelong fear of animals.

If a dog attacked you or someone you love, you can take steps to minimize the severity of your injuries and protect yourself.

What To Do After a Dog Bite

If a dog bit you, the first thing to do is eliminate the immediate threat by putting space between yourself and the animal. Then determine whether the dog has been inoculated against rabies. If possible, ask the dog owner for the animal’s vaccination history. You should also ask for the name and contact information of the dog owner.

Next, you need to treat the injury. If the dog bite did not break the skin, wash the area with soap and water and apply an antibacterial ointment to prevent infection.

If the bite did break the skin, wash the area and use a clean cloth to apply pressure and control the bleeding. Then monitor the site for signs of infection, such as if the area becomes red, swollen, warm, tender to the touch.

If the bite is anything more than a minor scratch, report the incident to the police. Having a police officer at the scene will help calm the situation. A police officer can also help you decide whether you need immediate medical attention and can impound the dog if necessary.

Ask the police officer to make a report of the incident, which will be helpful when you try to support your claim for compensation.

A police report will trigger an investigation and help you obtain information about the dog’s vaccination history. If the dog is being mistreated, a police investigation can shed light on the dog’s poor living situation.

Finally, you should take pictures of the dog, its owner, your injuries, and the location where the incident occurred.

Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury

If you were injured by a dog bite, the dog owner is liable and must compensate you for your injuries. Someone who was injured by a dog can recover money for:

• The cost of past and future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement

There are two ways to hold a dog owner liable for dog bite injuries.

• Strict Liability. Under Connecticut law, if a dog causes injury to a person or property, the dog owner is liable for the amount of damage caused by the animal.
• Negligence. The dog owner can also be held liable if they knew or should have known that the dog was vicious but did not act to minimize the risk of danger.

How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

Most dog bite injuries are covered by the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy. By documenting the incident and obtaining contact information of the dog owner, you improve your chances of successfully receiving compensation for your injuries.

Connecticut attorney Stephen Lebedevitch has extensive experience resolving dog bite injuries. He will evaluate your situation, gather evidence necessary to support your claim, and negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

If the dog owner’s insurance company is unwilling to make a fair offer to resolve your claim, attorney Lebedevitch will take your case to court to assert your rights.

Connecticut Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Fairfield and New Haven Counties

If you or someone you love was injured by a dog, you are entitled to compensation.

Connecticut personal injury attorney Stephen Lebedevitch understands dog bite liability law and will fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. He will identify who is responsible and hold them accountable for the harm they caused.

Learn more about Stephen Lebedevitch’s experience success resolving dog bite injury cases, then contact The Lebedevitch Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.

The Lebedevitch Law Firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee, which means you won’t pay a fee unless we recover money for you.