Dogs may be a man’s best friend, but according to statistics, dog bites account for up to 90% of all animal bites. Each year, 4.5 million injury cases involve dog bites, and more than 27,000 dog bite cases require reconstructive surgery. In other words, dog bites are something that needs to be taken seriously. Here’s what you need to know if you or a family member gets bitten by a dog.
Dog Bite Treatment
First things first, you will need to get to a safe place away from the dog to avoid further attacks and assess the damage. Even minor dog bites can be traumatizing, but more severe dog bites can lead to infections and pose a serious health threat. Clean and treat the wound right away, and keep it elevated. Though wound cleaning decreases the risk of infections, you’ll want to seek medical attention as soon as possible to check if you need a rabies vaccine. Even if there is no visible skin damage, watch for signs of infection, such as pain, redness, or swelling.
Florida Dog Bite Laws
If a dog bites you while you’re in a public space or if you’re lawfully in a private place, Florida dog bite laws state that the owner is responsible for all injuries, even if there were no previous warnings that the dog might attack another person.
A Dog Bit me. What Should I do?
You’ll want to collect as many details about the dog, its owner, and the people that witnessed the incident. Information to collect includes: names, phone numbers, and addresses. Dog bite laws vary from state to state, but your safest bet is to immediately take photos of the bite wounds, which can be used as evidence in court later on.
My Dog Bit Someone!
If your dog injures another person, you may be responsible for their medical expenses (ranging from medication to psychological counseling), lost wages, pain and suffering, and even property damage. However, if this isn’t the first time your dog injures someone, you might be liable for double or triple damages, as well as punitive damages for letting a dangerous dog run loose.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney!
Hiring a dog bite lawyer aka a personal injury attorney will greatly improve your chances of getting the compensation you rightfully deserve. They will help you assess how much you are owed for your injuries and suffering. The whole process will also be a lot quicker with a law firm working on your behalf. You might even end up settling your personal injury case out of court.
If you were bitten by a dog in Tampa Bay Florida, contact Tampa Personal Injury Attorney, Dan Zohar of DZ Firm. Dan Zohar has over 30 years of experience dealing with personal injury cases. For a free consultation call (800) 963-3311!