Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
Getting bitten by a dog, whether it belongs to a friend or complete stranger, can be a frightening experience. Afterwards, you may be in shock and unsure of what to do next. However, the steps you take immediately after getting bitten can affect your ability to get fair compensation. Here are some common mistakes to avoid after getting bitten by a dog.
Not Calling the Police
If the dog who bit you belongs to a family member or friend, you may be hesitant to call the police. However, if you wish to pursue compensation for your injury, contacting the police is a must. They will create a police report, which may be useful for your case. When talking to the police, be truthful about what exactly happened and include as many details as possible.
Delaying Medical Care
Unfortunately, not all dog bite victims see a doctor right away. If the dog bite injury doesn’t look too severe, they might think it will heal on its own. This isn’t something you should do. Even if a dog bite injury doesn’t look too bad initially, it could worsen over time or get infected. Plus, you don’t know if the dog that bit you had rabies or not. A doctor must examine the injury promptly to keep it from getting worse.
Failing to Take Photos
If you plan to pursue a personal injury claim for your dog bite injury, photos of the injury are one of the strongest pieces of evidence you can have. Take several photos of your injury immediately. If you wait too long to take photos, the injury could heal and might not look as serious as it was in the beginning.
Accepting Blame
Even if you think the dog bite incident is partially your fault, you should never accept blame. For example, you shouldn’t say something like, “The dog may have bitten me because I startled it.” Doing so can hurt your injury claim.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
Dog bite injury cases can be quite complex. That’s why you shouldn’t try to handle your case on your own. An experienced personal injury lawyer, like one from Hall-Justice Law Firm, can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case and improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation.
If you suffered a dog bite injury, contact a reputable personal injury lawyer soon.
