Dog Bites
Dogs and humans are known to be closely associated in daily life and yet there are a lot of incidents where the canine has attacked their human friend. If you are a victim of a dog bite, the law helps you recover compensation for the same. No matter what the previous history of the dog has been in this regard, most states lay down statutes according to which a dog owner is responsible for all bites, even if the dog has never bit anyone before.
It is estimated that nearly 2% of the US population comes under dog attack every year and in some cases the injury could be pretty serious. In fact nearly 1,000 Americans are brought daily to the emergency room for dog bites alone! On being injured, you are entitled to receive compensation from the dog’s owner for all your medical bills, cosmetic surgery, and any other treatment you receive in this regard. They are also liable to make good your lost income due to this injury. The causes to this accident could be any, still you stand a good chance to win your case in the court of law and receive your rightful compensation.
There are some simple steps you need to take when under a dog attack. On being bitten, do not panic since you can easily receive good medical service for all dog bites. Once bitten, you need to first identify the animal that bit you since if it is a stray dog, you might have to undergo the painful treatment for rabies. At the same time if the dog is not a stray, identifying the owner helps you get compensation later on. Next, get immediate medical attention. If you have been attacked on the face, it would be a good idea to insist on being attended by a plastic surgeon. Meanwhile, if you receive a call from the dog’s insurance company, make sure you note down all details but do not discuss any settlement issues with them.
You need to take some immediate steps on your side to make sure you have enough legal evidence later on to back up your claims. Identifying the dog would help to get a DNA analysis test later on which acts as a good proof in the court of law. Similarly you need to gather the name and address of the dog’s owner, dog’s license information, details about any potential witnesses, photos of your injuries, and insurance information about the dog.
It is always in your best interest to hire the services of a professional lawyer since they can take up your case in the court of law and get you a fair trial. Never hesitate to consult an attorney in this regard and also never sign anything without the knowledge of your lawyer since it may compromise your stand later on. The procedures followed by animal control department in the “dog court” hearings are usually of a nature that compromise on your rights as a victim. Hence it is very important to present a full-proof case in the court of law and only your lawyer could help you win hands down.