If you were the victim of a dog bite accident, immediate medical care should be your top priority. Depending upon the severity of the wound you should go to an Emergency Room as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Emergency Room doctors have a lot of experience dealing with dog bites. If you haven’t had a tetanus shot recently, the doctor will most certainly recommend one. Tetanus is an insidious illness that can be transmitted by a dog to a human.
When your injury is stabilized, contact Animal Control with the details of the attack and the identity of the dog and its owners. Animal Control will immediately go to the owner’s residence and remove the dog. The dog will be quarantined and examined for rabies and other diseases. If the attack was substantial, and Animal Control Officers believe the dog is dangerous, they will notify the owner that the animal will be destroyed. The owner can petition a Court to try to prevent such destruction.
The Legal Side of Dog Bite Accidents
Your next move should be to retain the services of a Los Angeles personal injury attorney with experience handling dog bite cases. The attorney will investigate the accident and determine if the owner of the dog has insurance to cover damages for your injuries – homeowners insurance usually cover dog bites. Attorneys that deal with dog bite cases are familiar with the best doctors and plastic surgeons and will assemble the right medical team to ensure you receive the finest care, irrespective of whether or not you have Health Insurance.
Photographs of all injuries, before and after treatment, are an important part of a dog bite accident case. Make sure someone takes pre-surgery photos showing the severity of the wounds. The doctor will often take pictures to document the injuries, but not always. If need-be, ask one of the nurses to take photos. These will play a vital part in determining the value of the case.
Often times, especially with children, there is an emotional component to severe dog bite attacks. If you feel there is a need for psychological care you should advise your attorney and he will help in getting you the necessary care. Qualified psychologists and psychiatrists can be very effective in helping deal with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) associated with dog attacks.
Although dogs are generally well behaved, any dog, not just Pit Bulls, can be aggressive, so be careful.
Contact an Experienced Long Beach Dog Bite Attorney
My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.