What to Do if You Are Bitten by A Dog
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year and about 800,000 will seek medical treatment. Children are at the greatest risk and makeup about one-half of those numbers. Children are also more likely to have wounds around the head, face, and neck which may result in serious complications. Though the death rate from dog bites are rare, (about 20-30 per year according to the CDC), injuries can still be severe and lead to a lifetime of disabilities if not treated properly. You should take the following steps if bitten by a dog:
Seek medical attention. This is key to preventing infections. If the bite is to the face, do not hesitate to require the emergency room to bring in a plastic surgeon to suture the wound.
Report the incident to Animal Control and the police. This will document your injuries and start an investigation. This may also prevent others from being attacked by the same dog.
Take pictures of your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and, if safe to do so, the dog and owners of the dog.
Contact an experienced dog bite personal injury attorney before giving statements to an insurance company.
Consult with An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
For a free consultation about your rights in the aftermath of a severe dog bite or animal attack, call or text to contact the top dog bite attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Western States Law, P.C. in Aurora, Colorado. While our personal injury law firm is located in Aurora, Colorado, we handle dog bite and animal attack cases throughout the states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. We can provide a free initial phone consultation and, if you retain our firm, there are generally no attorney’s fees until we collect for you or your family. We offer home, evening, and weekend visits.