The mark that is left behind after a dog attack can be both physical and mental. It is a terrifying experience to have a dog charge at you and then leap up to grab your arm, leg, or other body part. In most canine bites, victims are left having to deal with serious physical wounds and emotional scars. After such an attack, victims may have medical bills to pay and aren’t sure whether it should come out of their pocket or the dog owner’s funds. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to keep their dog under control and not endanger any members of the public. An attorney can go over your options with you about how to pursue compensation from the person at-fault.
What kinds of injuries may I receive compensation for?
As you may already know, a dog’s teeth are sharp and pointy canines can do severe damage to a person’s skin and soft tissue. The luckiest of people can walk away from the incident without punctured skin, while most have to be ushered to the hospital right away for immediate medical care. If prompt medical care isn’t sought, then the victim may be vulnerable to developing a terrible infection. Here is a list of injuries that victims may be entitled to receive compensation for if they pursue damages from the dog owner:
- Deep contusions
- Bone fractures
- Head and face injuries
- Emotional trauma
How do I know whether I should go to the doctor?
Dog bites must be taken seriously, since there is always a chance that an infection could develop. Getting the area cleaned thoroughly is very important. It is also imperative to your case that you have a record of when you saw a doctor and how much it cost to have your injuries treated. Without proof of injury, you won’t have a strong case against the dog owner. Here are signs that you should go to the doctor with a sense of urgency after a dog attack:
- Fluid or pus is coming out of the wound
- There is loss of sensation/feeling near the bite
- The area around the bite is tender to the touch
- There are red streaks surrounding the bite mark
- You have swollen lymph nodes
- You have night sweats, fever, and/or chill
- There is restricted use of the part that suffered the bite (arm, finger, foot etc.)
- You feel extremely tired, fatigued
- You have trouble breathing
- The muscles feel weak or are tremoring
What laws protect people who have suffered a dog bite attack?
Your attorney, like a personal injury lawyer in St. Paul, MN, can explain to you based on state law, there are protections for the general public when it comes to animal bites. Dog owners have a duty to the public to keep their pet under control whether they know the dog has a history of aggression or not. Only under instances where a member of the public was being cruel towards the dog, are they then unlikely to be owed compensation from the owner.
Thank you to JOHNSTON | MARTINEAU PLLP for their insight into hiring an attorney after an injury.