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Personal Injury: What to Do When You’re the Victim of a Dog Bite

When dogs attack, the victims often face excruciatingly painful injuries that may result in permanent damage or disfigurement. If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, disfigurement, disability, and other losses. Filing a dog bite lawsuit near San Jose with the help of your personal injury lawyer may help you recover compensation.

Document the Incident

In some cases, victims of dog bites are so severely injured that they must be rushed to an ER in an ambulance. However, if you are able to do so, it’s important to document the incident as soon as possible. Take photographs of your wounds with your cellphone camera. Make notes about where the incident occurred, who owns the dog, and who had custody of the animal when it attacked you. If possible, write down the name and contact information of the dog owner or dog walker, and any witnesses. All of this information will assist your personal injury lawyer when he or she files a dog bite lawsuit.

Get Medical Help

When you arrive at the urgent care clinic or doctor’s office, be sure to inform the staff that your injuries were caused by a dog. You may need to have a tetanus shot and you may need to begin a series of rabies shots. The doctor may also instruct you to take antibiotics, since dog bites are particularly susceptible to infections.

Submit a Report to Animal Control Officers

Your personal injury lawyer can assist you by contacting the appropriate animal control agency in your jurisdiction. You will need to make a report of the incident, which may require information such as the date of the incident, your personal information, and the breed, color, and ownership of the dog.

Work with an Attorney

Your personal injury lawyer will need information such as lists of witnesses, copies of your medical bills and records, and photographs of your injuries. Using this evidence, your lawyer will notify dog’s owner of your intent to file a dog bite lawsuit. Your lawyer may then negotiate a settlement to cover your losses or the case may go to trial.

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