What To Do If You Are Bitten

Being attacked by a dog in Washington can be a very traumatic situation for adults and children alike. One of the most important things that you can do if you or someone near you has been bitten by a dog is to stay calm. Next, after the victim and the dog have been separated, it is urgent to ensure that that victim receives medical treatment immediately so that all injuries can be assessed and treated by a medical professional. Even if the wounds do not appear to be very severe, it is important that they get treated, because in many cases there may be non-visible injuries, such as infections.

If the victim has suffered bites to the head, hands, or feet, the American Academy of Family Physicians does suggest that medical treatment be sought right away. Other situations where it is suggested that a dog bite victim seeks medical attention, include when:

• There are very deep cuts with bleeding for fifteen or more minutes
• The victims last tetanus shot was not within the last five years
• The victim appears to have broken bones
• There are indications of infection at the bite site
• The victim is already in poor health or has a chronic health condition

After medical attention has been sought, it would be very helpful if the victim or a witness is able to identify the dog. In the case that the dog is a stray, local animal control should be contacted right away to have the dog contained to prevent further attacks and to have the dog tested for Rabies. Animal control will most likely try to identify the dog’s owner, and in certain circumstances the dog may be quarantined or euthanized.

Following a dog attack, you or a loved one should document all information pertaining to the dog attack, as this information will be able to help prove your case in a Washington dog bite lawsuit. Some information which will be helpful includes:

• Names and contact information of any witnesses
• Photographs of the wounds
• Photographs of the clothing worn during the attack

Also, make sure that you keep copies of all documents related to the dog attack, including medical bills, correspondence between you and the dog owner, and any other important documentation.

In the event that the dog attack took place on another person’s property, the property owner may be insured against dog bite lawsuit, and his or her insurance company may try to contact you. Although you will want to write down their contact information and the claim number, do not share any information with the insurance company and do not accept any monetary settlement that they may offer. In many cases, insurance companies knowingly try to settle with the victim for much less than they are worth, which is why it is so important that you contact a skilled Seattle dog bite lawyer from Bernard Law Group to discuss your case.

For years, Bernard Law Group has been successfully representing dog bite and serious injury cases throughout Washington State. Please contact our Washington dog attack attorneys today for a free consultation and find out how we can use our skill and knowledge in Washington dog bite law to help you.