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What steps should I take if a dog bites me?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Over 43 million households in the United States have dogs, many of which will never bite. However, when a dog bite does occur, emotions are often high, and you may be confused as to what steps you should take. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, stay calm, and follow these six steps:

  1. Identify the dog and the dog’s owner – It is important to identify the owner of the dog that bit you so you can secure rabies vaccine information. If the dog did not have a current rabies vaccine or it cannot be proven that the dog received proper vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian, you will need to undergo the rabies vaccine series as soon as possible.

  2. Get medical attention – You should always get medical attention following any dog bite, no matter how severe the bite appears as dog bites are prone to infection due to their nature.

  3. File a report – After receiving medical attention, report the dog bite incident to the proper authorities. This will not only provide legal documents regarding your case but will start a file against the dog/owner should the dog bite again.

  4. Contact a personal injury lawyer – Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can secure further information about the dog including licensing information, prior bite history, and/or information regarding previous signs of aggressive behavior.

  5. Document your injuries – Take pictures of all of your injuries, including the wounds, bruises, torn/bloody clothing, and include a date stamp.

  6. Keep a journal regarding the incident – Keep notes and documentation regarding the dog bite, including medical bills, lost wages, the number of your property damages, and your mental state. This will aid in determining a settlement amount or jury verdict depending on how your case proceeds.

Dog bites are scary, traumatic, and painful. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, we at Mike Agruss Law are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, including when you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7. 

 

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