Dog bites can be excruciating, shocking and frightening. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you must stay calm and obtain medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you have insurance or not, your local emergency room is an excellent resource for getting the care you need quickly. Dog bites are notorious for spreading infections, so be sure to go to the closest medical facility as quickly as possible, even if you feel fine now.
After a bite, it’s important to identify the dog that bit you. Make a note of the breed, age, name of the dog and the owner’s name. The dog that bit you must be tested for rabies, infections and a number of other illnesses or diseases that could have been passed on to you through the wound and eventually affect your health.
It is not a requirement in New Jersey to let the dog’s owner know you are obtaining medical care, though it is certainly permissible to do so. Your bite wounds will be professionally cleaned, examined and you may require stitches at your local emergency department; often times you will be given local anesthetics to lessen the pain and antibiotics to prevent infections.
Most New Jersey medical centers will contact local law enforcement officials or animal control centers for you. However, it is strongly advisable that you call these agencies as well. Make a note of the date of the injury and the officers or agents you spoke with concerning your case. Your Health Insurance Company and attorney will need this information in order to pursue your claim.
As soon as you are able to do so safely, photograph your injuries after obtaining medical care and be sure to take pictures of the location that the attack took place in order to compile all the factual supporting evidence crucial to your case.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, know that New Jersey Dog Bite Liability Law gives you the right to seek compensation for your injuries; pain and suffering; past, present and future medical care; past, present and future diminished earning capacity; emotional trauma and more. According to the law, owners of any dog that bites a person in a public or private location is liable for damages, regardless of the dog’s past or present viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s history. The only exception to the law is when the victim is trespassing on private property.
Contact a New Jersey dog bite attorney as soon as possible, as the statute of limitations for filing your claim is two years. Filing suit before witness memories fade or evidence is compromised is imperative.
At Keefe Law Firm, we are experienced in dog bite litigation and are determined to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today at 1-877-ATTY-247 for a free initial consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.