Dog bites happen all the time. They can be very serious injuries, causing major infections, psychological trauma, and scarring that can leave you disfigured. Any dog can bite any person at any time. Even dogs with the friendliest dispositions have the potential to bite or attack a human if they feel threatened.
It is important to take some common sense precautions when around a dog to prevent a needless attack. It is smart to exercise caution around dogs you know as well as unfamiliar dogs.
Always ask the owner’s permission before trying to pet a dog. Never get in a dog’s face or approach it in a threatening manner. Before petting the dog, offer it your hand to sniff so it knows that you are not a threat. Make sure you show the dog the back of your hand so that if it does attack, your fingers are protected.
Don’t ever try to pet a dog that is eating or sleeping. Dogs generally don’t want to be bothered in these situations. Exercise extra care when you are in the presence of a mother dog and her puppies. Mothers tend to be very protective of their pups, and might feel more inclined to bite if they think their puppies are threatened in some way.
When you are around strange dogs, it is even more important to exercise these precautions. If you get the feeling that a dog might be vicious, be extra careful. Always make certain that the dog is in fact friendly before you approach it. Never stare a strange dog in the eyes, and don’t back away from it.
If your children are in the presence of strange dogs, make sure you are there to supervise the interaction and advise your child as to the proper way to interact with a strange dog.
If you are attacked by a dog, you have rights. While the laws regarding dog bites vary from state to state, most states recognize the owner’s liability in the cases of a bite. This is especially true if the owner knows that his dog has a history of attacking people.
Generally, even if the dog has never bitten a person before, the owner will be found liable. It is the owner’s responsibility to monitor his dog to ensure that it doesn’t harm another person.
It is possible to be injured by a dog in other ways than bites. Some dogs will attack with their claws or knock people over as well. In these situations, you frequently can collect damages from the owner.
If you or your child is bitten by a dog, you should take the following actions. Make sure you identify the dog and the dog’s owner. Find out whether the dog has rabies. If it does, you will need to receive medical attention and shots immediately.
Don’t argue with the dog’s owner. Even if the owner seems shocked that his dog would attack another person, arguing with him over the fact won’t resolve anything. Do not sign any written statements about the incident without a lawyer being present. Frequently, the dog owner or his insurance company will try to get you to make a written statement about the incident. Such a statement can potentially reduce the owner’s liability and prevent you from collecting the damages you are rightfully owed.
Find a police officer and have him fill out a police report. This will help to provide documentation of the incident in case you need to sue the owner. Go to a doctor immediately to treat your wounds. If you wait to see a doctor, you run the risk of a serious infection or more permanent scarring.
Consult a personal injury lawyer. He can advise you on the proper course of action so that you recover damages you are rightfully owed. Also, a lawyer will help protect your interests and make sure that an insurance company doesn’t offer you an unfairly low settlement. Hiring a lawyer will help ensure that you receive the best possible settlement for your injuries.
If you or your child has been the victim of a dog bite in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact the law offices of Harvey L. Walner & Associates, Ltd. today for an initial consultation.
