Don't Let Summer Take A Bite Out Of You: What To Do If You're Bitten By A Dog This Summer
With all the summer barbecues and parties going on, you may be coming in contact with a lot of dogs. Unfortunately, that only serves to increase your chances of being bitten. Even the most even-tempered dogs can reach a breaking point and lash out with a bite, especially when there's a lot of new people around. If you become the victim of a dog bite this summer, there are some steps you'll need to take right away, even if the bite doesn't seem all that serious. You might not realize this, but minor bites can become infected if the skin has been broken. Not only that, but not all dogs are vaccinated against rabies. If you're bitten by a dog this summer, here are the steps you'll need to take.
Get to a Doctor Right Away
If you've been invited to a friends house for a summer barbecue, and it ends with you getting bitten by their dog, you need to get to a doctor right away. Don't assume that you can take care of the issue by washing it with soap and water. While that's a good way to start, any dog bite that breaks the skin should be seen by a doctor. They'll be able to assess the severity of the injury, start you on antibiotics to ward off any potential infections, and ensure that you're protected against rabies.
Document the Injury
After a dog bite, it's crucial that you document every aspect of the injury. You might not realize this, but dog bites can cause problems that you hadn't thought about. To make sure you get down all the details regarding your injury, you should keep a journal. Here are some aspects of your dog bite that you should document in your journal.
Pain
Dog bites can be quite painful, especially when they're severe. If the pain is significant enough, it may interfere with your daily activities. You'll need to document your daily pain levels in your journal. That way, you can show how the pain has affected your life.
Mobility
Depending on where the bite is located, it may interfere with your mobility. This is particularly true if the bite was on your leg, arm, or hand. If you're having a hard time with mobility following your dog bite, be sure to document that difficulty in your journal.
Seek Legal Advice
If the dog bite has left you with injuries that require extensive medical care, and you haven't had any luck with insurance companies, you're going to need to seek legal advice. If you're worried about going after your friends for compensation, remember that you're actually going after their insurance company. Don't hesitate to contact a lawyer from a firm like Bob Fain Law.
