Dogs Don't Bite Often, But When They Do, It Can Be Severe

At The Law Office of Fabio A. Sciarrino, LLC, we love all kinds of animals, especially dogs. But we also understand that dogs can bite. In fact, dogs bite about 4.7 million Americans every year, half of them children between ages 5 and 9, and a large number involving severe injuries to the head, face, and neck. One out of every five of those bites causes an injury that requires medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Children are also more likely than adults to be injured by a dog bite. Being bitten by a dog can have long-lasting or even permanent consequences. If you’ve sustained an injury from a dog bite, call us for a free case consultation.

What Should You Do After A Dog Bite Attack?

1. Seek Medical Treatment as Soon as Possible. Dog bites pose a serious risk for infection and a physician should be contacted immediately for treatment. Although you can provide first aid for a dog bite at home, it's very important to see a doctor, especially if an unfamiliar dog bit you, the bite is deep, you can't stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus). A dog bite can lead to rabies or tetanus infection. Immediate medical care is needed when the bite is from a dog that has or might have rabies. Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, increased pain, and oozing. A doctor should look at these symptoms right away (In the U.S., approximately 900,000 dog bite victims seek emergency medical care at hospitals in the U.S. every year). Bite wounds from dogs can range from minor to life-threatening and need to be treated quickly to prevent infection or traumatic complications, sometimes requiring plastic surgery (In fact, in the U.S., more than 27,000 victims require reconstructive surgery). Not having had a tetanus shot in five or more years increases tetanus risk and a booster shot may be recommended. If the bite is serious and you or a loved one are in immediate medical distress, call an ambulance or go to an emergency room or urgent care facility as quickly as possible.

2. Identify the Dog That Bit You. You or someone helping you should try to identify the dog that attacked you and determine how the dog’s owner can be located. The owner’s identity is necessary because the owner is the responsible party, and the owner’s home insurance company is usually the entity that pays for injuries.

3. Report the Attack. Report the dog bite to the local county animal control agency or the sheriff’s department. Provide information about the dog, including the owner’s name and address. If the dog was a stray, describe the animal’s appearance and the location of the incident.

4. Have Photos Taken of the Injuries. As soon as it is practical after the attack, take photographs of all visible injuries, including wounds and lacerations. Also, take photos of any torn or bloody clothing. If possible make sure pictures are taken of the dog itself and of the site of the attack.

5. Contact a Reputable Firm with Experienced Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyers. After a dog attack you may be facing significant pain, treatments, medical bills, and perhaps pressure from an insurance company to give statements or settle cheaply. Time is of the essence. Your chances of success increase dramatically through effective investigation and representation by a skilled attorney. Prompt action by a lawyer with knowledge of Pennsylvania dog bite law is necessary to preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and identify defendants. Hiring effective legal representation should therefore not be delayed.

6. Do Not Give an Insurance Company Information About Your Dog Bite Incident or Injuries, or Sign any Document without Discussing it with Your Attorney. The insurance companies’ first interest is protecting themselves from claims. The information you give them can and will be used against you to defeat or minimize your claim. Also, do not attempt to settle the case yourself. You may have a right to certain types of compensation for damages you may not know exist, or not know how to assert. The value of your case, for example, increases as you receive treatments and incur expenses. Dog bites in particular often result in scars requiring surgical procedures. Those treatments can be alleged as damages to increase the value of your claim. It is important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after the dog attack. In Pennsylvania, effective dog bite lawyers can seek full compensation for all of the damages you are entitled to recover.

Have you been harmed or someone you love been harmed by a dog attack in Pennsylvania. If so, you may be entitled to bring a lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your loss, including medical bills (both past and future), lost income, and, most importantly, for pain and suffering damages. Call us right away at 267-702-0718 or 267-615-8090, to find out how we can help you. Remember, the consultation is free and confidential, and we do not get paid until we obtain an award for you.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice and is provided for general informational purposes only. Furthermore, the contents of this article do not establish an attorney-client relationship. This firm does not in any way warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information, descriptions, statements, quotations, citations or other content contained in this article. Based on the foregoing, you should not rely on the information contained in this article as a substitute for consulting with a qualified attorney. Should you have a legal issue or questions, DO NOT RELY on the information on this site. To the contrary, contact the Law Office of Fabio A. Sciarrino, L.L.C. to set up a consultation with Attorney Sciarrino to discuss your specific legal issues and concerns. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. However, contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship and therefore no confidential information should be sent to us until an attorney-client relationship has been established.