At Los Angeles City Law, we understand that accidents happen, and we are here for you in those moments when you need legal consult. From medical malpractice to drunk driving accidents, automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents and more, we are committed to providing the citizens of Los Angeles with high-quality personal injury lawyer services. To learn more about our areas of practice and the services we offer, contact Los Angeles City Law today!
One very common incident we see here at Los Angeles City Law is the instance of dog bite injuries. While dogs can be incredibly friendly and fun to be around, sometimes they have a tendency to be aggressive, though not always intentionally. Whatever the circumstance may be, in this blog, we put together this helpful checklist of what to do if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Read on to discover more, and if you need a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles, contact us today!
Treat The Wound Immediately
Before doing anything else, it’s important to identify the severity of the wound. Regardless of how serious the wound is, make sure to treat it as quickly as possible. Apply pressure with a towel or cloth to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, examine the wound to see how bad it is. Try to keep the affected area elevated, if possible. If the skin has been broken, clean the wound with soap and warm water, apply an antibiotic ointment to it and cover it with a sterile bandage. Check up on the wound throughout the day and monitor its healing, repeating the cleaning and bandaging process until healed. This should not be your only means of treatment, however, and we will explain that in more detail in our next step.
Seek Medical Attention
While our initial step detailed how you can treat a dog bite at home, that particular step is no more than a quick way to clean and treat a dog bite wound on your own. However, if the bite is severe or the dog that bit you is unknown, it is absolutely necessary that you see a doctor. When talking to your doctor, make sure to inform them of any specific medical conditions that you may have, as that may affect your risk of infection. Things like liver disease, diabetes, and immune disorders can all put a person at a greater risk of infection. Make note of any signs of infection, like swelling and redness. If not treated properly, a dog bite can cause an infection that can become quite serious. Beyond that, those infections can only be treated with antibiotics. Get it right the first time and treat your dog bite the proper way right from the start.
Contact The Owner
This is an absolutely integral step in the process if you were bitten by a dog that is not your own. While accidents happen, dog bites can be easily prevented in a variety of ways. For one, owners need to monitor their pets closely and not leave them unsupervised, especially if they are able to interact with strangers. At the time of the bite, it’s important to have a discussion with the owner regarding the incident. Determine the cause of the bite, and whether the bite was a result of a misunderstanding or if the dog was wrongfully provoked. Talk to them and get confirmation that the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Additionally, get the contact information for their dog’s veterinarian to confirm that the dog is indeed currently vaccinated.
What If You Are The Owner?
While dog bites can happen from any dog at any time, they sometimes come from our very own pets. While this can happen for a variety of reasons, it’s important to understand why the bite occurred. If your dog bit you after being in a state of heightened aggression with another dog, there’s a good chance that they were confused and didn’t mean to bite you. If they bit you seemingly out of nowhere, consult your trainer or veterinarian to help determine what the cause of the bite was. It may be a sign of pain or an undiagnosed injury, It may also be situational, and it’s important to think about what happened prior to the bite. Whatever the case is, it’s important to discipline the dog immediately so that they don’t bite you again, or worse yet, bite someone outside of your family.
At Los Angeles City Law, we are committed to providing the greater Los Angeles area with high quality legal services. If you find yourself in a situation where you need a dog bite lawyer, we are here to help you seek justice. For more information about our agency and services, contact Los Angeles City Law today.
