What to Do after Dog Bite or Other Injury

If you have been injured

by a dog, you may be able

to seek compensation.

Dog Owner Liability

• Nearly 4.5 million people get bitten by a dog each year.

• The dog’s owner is liable for injuries that the dog causes to others, if:

• The owner knew the dog had a tendency to be aggressive

• State laws making the dog owner liable automatically, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog had an aggressive tendency or not

• The dog owner was negligent in controlling the dogs actions (if the dog is in a fenced yard, escapes, and bites someone on the sidewalk, the dog owner may be liable for negligence)

Source: Ingerman & Horwitz Law

What to Do after BiteIf you have been bitten by a dog, regardless of how minor the injury is, be sure to take these steps:

1. Get the dog owner’s contact information in case you need to contact them later regarding your injury.

2. Seek witnesses to get their testimony on the series of events that led to the attack. If you did not threaten or panic the dog in any way but the dog attacked you, then the dog may be aggressive by nature or because it was trained to be. Witnesses will be able to back up your story.

Source: Ingerman & Horwitz Law

Following Attack, cont.

3. Seek medical attention – Be sure that you are checked out by a physician. Your medical records will help your case if you decide to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.

4. File a report with your local animal control agency – dogs that bite humans should be checked for rabies.

Source: Ingerman & Horwitz Law

Find out More

If you have been injured by a dog, it is important to speak with a personal

injury attorney. Dog owners should be held liable for any injuries that their

dogs cause, especially if the dog had a known tendency to be aggressive. For

more information regarding dog bites and your legal options, visit Ingerman &

Horwitz’s website using the link below.