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The Sharp Truth about Dog Bites
Many United States citizens love their four-legged canine friends, and these furry creatures are treated like companions and family members. Most dogs are loyal, loving and obedient. But sometimes, these loyal and obedient dogs divert from their composed personalities and bite people. Each year, thousands of individuals in the United States sustain injuries related to dog bites and a large proportion of those injuries are made up of children.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 83.3 million households in America own a pet in 2013 and 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 4.5 million people suffer dog bites each year and over 885,000 require medical attention because of those injuries. Approximately half of the injuries requiring medical attention involve children.
In the typical dog bite case, the individual bitten by the dog will have a legal right of recourse against the owner. Under Wisconsin law, owners of dogs are strictly liable when their dogs bite other people. This means that, regardless of whether the owner did anything to protect you or others from being bit by the dog, the owner will still be liable for injuries.
If you or your child suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite, you should contact an experienced dog bite injury attorney to determine your legal options and whether or not you are entitled to compensation.
What to Do When You Suffer Injuries from a Dog Bite
If a dog bit you or your child, you should immediately seek medical attention, especially if the bite broke your skin. The saliva in a dog’s mouth may contain bacteria that could cause infections, and if the wound is large enough, seeking immediate medical care will minimize the extent of any scarring. Visiting a doctor or emergency room will also document the severity of your injuries.
Once your wounds have been treated, you should notify the police and animal control of the incident. This would allow for a proper investigation of the incident while the evidence is still available. An owner may accept responsibility for their dog when it bites someone, only to deny liability when the medical bills start pouring in. If you contact the proper authorities, the incident and your injury will be properly preserved and documented.
Lastly, you should take photographs of your injuries immediately after you suffer them and during the healing process. Thoroughly documenting your injuries will make it much easier to prove your damages at trial or it could even expedite the settlement of your claim.
The Next Step
Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to minimize your losses or deny your claim. The pressure exhibited by insurance companies might push you into settling your claims before you understand the magnitude of your injuries. If you quickly settle your claim and sign a release, you will have no recourse if new symptoms or complications arise as a result of the dog bite.
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog and suffered injuries as a result, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced Milwaukee injury attorney who has the skill and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve.
