Dogs are a man’s best friend, as they say. They can provide us with companionship and tend to become just like any other member of our family. But what happens if someone was seriously hurt because they were bitten by a canine? Who is responsible? Well, in many cases it may have been the dog owner who failed to protect others from harm. If that is the case, then dog bite victims may be owed restitution from the dog owner for their medical bills and other ways their life has been affected.
Understandably, you may be shaken after being bitten by someone else’s dog. Even a docile animal that appears friendly may bite for one reason or another. Dogs may become protective of their home and show aggression towards visitors, become reactive when cornered or in fear, or bite without any kind of provocation at all. If the bite is severe enough, call for help instead of driving yourself to the hospital. Your health and recovery should be your top priority. If you were bitten by a canine, you must tend to your injuries immediately to reduce the chances of developing a bacterial infection.
The first thing to do after a dog bite is to create distance between you and the dog, so there is no chance that they could bite you a second time. After getting yourself to an area where there is no threat, you must ask the owner if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. If the owner is nearby, inquire about the inoculation history. Be sure to also gather the owner’s name, identification details, telephone number, and contact for the dog’s veterinarian. If the dog was alone and no owner was in sight, ask anyone who may have witnessed the attack if they know the dog and where the owner may live.
If your skin was not broken by scrapes or punctures, wash it with soap and warm water anyway. You can apply a lotion with antibacterial to the area just to be cautious. If the skin was broken though, still wash the area with soap and warm water, but lightly press on the wound so that a little bit of bleeding can be released. By doing so, you are helping flush out germs that may have been present in the dog’s mouth and transferred to you. But if the bite is bleeding quite a bit, press down gently but firmly to help stop the blood flow. Apply an antibacterial ointment and wrap with a sterile bandage.
As a personal injury lawyer Arlington Heights, IL victims depend on from Therman Law Offices, LTD would affirm, anyone with a dog bite should be seen by a doctor so they can get the care they need. Keep in mind that all dog bites, even the minor ones, must be monitored for signs of infection until healed.
