Dog Bite Legalities – What Happens When Your Furry Friend Isn’t So Friendly?
Just because a dog is someone’s best friend doesn’t mean that it will always be friendly or behave in the company of others. Even if a pet is tame and has never shown any signs of aggression, they are creatures with instincts and when they are scared, worried, or nervous, they can act out and bite someone. The steps that you take immediately following a dog bite are critical to getting what you are entitled to for damages
Steps to Take When You’re Bitten By A Dog
The most immediate step you can take after being bitten by a dog is to get away to safety. Next, check to see if you have any wounds or injuries. Minor injuries need to be addressed immediately with soap and water. Make sure to apply an antibiotic cream and cover it with a bandage. However, if your injuries are more significant, you must seek medical care immediately.
Take Images and Document Everything!
If you are bitten by a dog, documenting things is going to be key. Take images of the bite and the dog that bit you, if you aren’t sure whose animal it is. If you can verify that it is a family pet, then you can also be certain that they are not rabid. The family might also be liable to pay for your damages. Get the dog and owner’s information and make sure you document medical expenses. If your clothes are torn or damaged, you want to keep them, too.
Report the Incident
Even if you were a guest at someone’s home, it is important to report the damages to state authorities. That way, they can keep a record and ensure that the animal is not a danger to anyone else and whether they carry any diseases. In most instances, the dog will not even be deemed dangerous, but it is a matter for the judge and public safety. And if you do seek compensation, reporting the bite will help your case.
Recovering Fair Compensation
When a dog bites, the owner is typically liable for any damages caused by the bite under certain circumstances. You can make a claim in civil court for the cost of your injuries. Some homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies will cover pet bites, so most likely, it will not put a financial burden on the homeowner. According to premises liability laws, you will probably be able to recover your economic damages. However, if you want to receive compensation for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, you will likely have to prove that the owner was negligent in some way that led to the dog bite.
If you are bitten by a dog and sustain medical injuries, you might be entitled to receive fair compensation, but the key is going to be in documenting the incident and then hiring an attorney to represent you. Most people are entitled to economic damages like medical bills and some other noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering, if they can prove that the owner was negligent. The first place to start is by contacting Califf Law Firm. We help you get what you are entitled to in the case of a personal injury like a dog bite. Contact us today!
