Being bitten by a dog is a serious injury that harms many Pennsylvania residents every year, especially small children. Domestic animals are expected to be trained and kept by their owners; a dog bite can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, leaving you or a loved one with huge medical bills.
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, take these steps to make sure that you stay safe and get the personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia that you deserve to help with the case.
- Do not try to contain the animal. It can be difficult to control your emotional reaction to a dog bite, especially if your child has been bitten. However, lashing out at the dog or attempting to contain it will only lead to more injuries. Let the animal go, and call 911 if the animal appears to be rabid; they will help to direct you to animal control and can send an ambulance if you or your child needs medical attention.
- Provide first-aid. If the bite is superficial, you can administer first-aid to help clean the wound and prevent infection. Clean the bite area with hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol, and apply a topical antiseptic. If the bite will not stop bleeding or has occurred in a sensitive area (for example, a child’s head), call 911; stitches and medical-grade antiseptics may be needed in these instances.
- Get a personal injury lawyer. If you have medical bills because you or a dependent has been bitten by a domestic animal, you can potentially receive a settlement to help deal with these costs. Most pet owners have pet insurance for this purpose, and our personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania can help you to ease the financial burden of a serious dog attack by getting the settlement you deserve.
If you are dealing with a dog bite or know someone who is seeking representation for a dog bite injury, contact our legal team here at Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys today.