Responding to a Dog Bite

Dog bites are a common problem across the US; about four million Americans seek treatment for these injuries every year. Countless more suffer from injuries that do not require emergency treatment, but are still painful and potentially dangerous. While some injuries are caused by reckless behavior on behalf the bite victim, many can be attributed to negligent choices made by dog owners.

If you or a member of your family has been hurt by a poorly restrained or unsupervised dog, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. To discuss your case with an experienced Tampa dog bite attorney, call the offices of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. at 800-235-8978.

Bite Injury First Aid

Even a relatively minor dog bite needs immediate attention and treatment. Any injury that breaks the skin is a risk for infection, especially animal bites. Basic first aid for a dog bite injury includes:

• Wash the injured area with fresh, cool water. This will allow you to inspect the extent of damage done, as well as wash away any dirt or other contaminants near the injury.
• If the injury is extensive or bleeding heavily, call 911 right away. Wrap the injury in a clean bandage and keep it elevated until help arrives.
• If the injury is manageable without professional care, clean it with soap or antibacterial ointment and apply a fresh bandage. Until it heals, monitor it for signs of infection such as pain that does not decrease over time, inflammation, or swelling.

Injuries to vulnerable areas such as skeletal joints or the face have an especially high chance of medical complications. For such injuries, it is usually best to seek professional care, even if the damage done seems minor. Unfortunately, such care can be costly, even for an exam and cleaning of the injury.

If another person has failed to properly care for his or her dog, you should not have to suffer the consequences. A knowledgeable Tampa dog attack lawyer can help you fight for repayment.

Contact Us

No one should have to suffer because of another party’s poor choices. To discuss your case for receiving fair compensation after a dog attack, contact the Tampa personal injury lawyers of Beltz & Ruth, P.A. at 800-235-8978.