As the world continues to return to group activities, we not only have more interaction with people, but their pets as well. Unfortunately, as a dog bite lawyer TN trusts, I can tell you the more people around you that have a dog, means the higher your chances are of being bitten by one. Believe it or not, around 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the U.S.
I am not telling you this to scare you. Of course not all dogs are vicious. But when a dog turns from cute and cuddly to violent, the damage it causes can be both expensive and traumatizing. Here are 4 tips on dog bites to keep you and your family safe.
1. Dog bites can have serious complications.
Dog bites can range in severity. Some bites may only involve a minor breaking of the skin, while others can cause severe lacerations and heavy bleeding. Other complications can include:
- Bone fracture and breaks
- Infection
- Loss of eyesight if bit on the face
- Loss of fingers and toes
Your injury doesn’t need to be severe for you to seek compensation. Many dog bite injuries are psychologically traumatic — especially for children.
2. What to do immediately following a dog bite.
If a dog attacks you or your child, there are three important steps you should take to protect your health and your rights:
- Seek medical attention. Even if your dog bite injury seems minor, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. A medical report of your injury can be valuable evidence for your case.
- Get the dog and owner’s information. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. This information will help you find out if the dog has a history of biting and to file a dog bite report with your local animal control center or police station.
- Get an experienced dog bite lawyer. A dog bite can require expensive medical treatment and may put you out of work during recovery. An experienced lawyer can build a strong claim to help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing.
3. The owner’s responsibility.
If a dog is trained properly and secured in a yard with proper fencing, then the likelihood of that dog biting is rare. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are that responsible.
Dog owners also should be aware of their dog’s aggression, and what type of aggression it is so they can properly protect people — especially kids — from playing and interacting with it. If necessary, they should also keep a muzzle on hand when the dog is in public situations to prevent it from biting.
4. How a dog bite lawyer can help you.
A dog bite can be physically and emotionally devastating. The last thing you should have to deal with is legal paperwork. Our lawyers will take care of every detail of your claim, including:
- Collecting evidence
- Filing necessary paperwork
- Helping you get compensation for your medical bills
- Calculating the financial impact of your dog bite injury
- Protecting your legal rights
Contact a dog bite lawyer TN relies on for a FREE consultation – no strings attached.
If a dog has bitten you or your child, get the help you need right away. Contact us online or call 901-327-2100 for a FREE evaluation of your case. We know how terrifying, and frankly expensive, a dog bite injury can be. Our compassionate and experienced dog bite lawyers will do everything in our power to get you the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
For decades, our lawyers have won dog attack cases in Tennessee. We can help you, too.