5 Steps To Take Within the First 24 Hours of a Dog Bite in New York
Getting bitten by a dog is quite a scary, shocking, and painful experience. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of dog bite incidents happen all over New York, with many of these incidents resulting in serious injuries and significant damages, both economic and non-economic. Fortunately, after a dog bite incident in New York, you might be entitled to pursue a legal claim and seek financial compensation for your injuries and damages. Understanding what to do in the immediate aftermath is crucial for protecting your health and legal rights.
Below is a checklist of the steps you should take within the first 24 hours of a dog bite in New York. This guide is meant to help you protect your well-being and build a strong foundation for any legal claim you pursue in the future.
- Get Medical Help Right Away
The first vital step after being bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention. Sometimes, people forgo seeking medical attention because the bite does not look serious. Even if your injury looks minor, seek prompt medical attention, as dog bites can cause severe infections, scarring, or nerve damage. A medical professional will clean your wound, administer the necessary medication, stitch you up, and give you a rabies shot, if required. Seeking immediate medical attention also creates an official medical record that shows the extent of your injury and links your injury to the dog attack. This is vital evidence for your compensation claim.
- Identify the Dog and Its Owner
If possible, immediately try to get details about the dog and its owner, such as;
- The owner’s name, contact number, and address
- The type of dog
- Proof of the dog’s vaccination
If you cannot locate the dog’s owner or if they are being uncooperative, you can try getting information from witnesses or bystanders.
- Report to Authorities
Another vital step to take within 24 hours of a dog bite is reporting the incident to your local health department or animal control. Reporting a dog bite helps in several ways, including;
- There is an official incident report that can help your future legal claim
- Helping identify if the dog has a history of aggression
- Public health officials can monitor the dog for rabies
- Gather Evidence at the Scene
From the moment you are bitten, you should start documenting everything you can, if you are able to.
- Take pictures of your injuries, clothes, the dog, and the scene.
- Keep your torn and/or bloodstained clothing
- Write down a timeline of what happened while the details are still fresh in your mind
- Gather witnesses’ names and contact information
Additionally, ensure you save all your medical bills and receipts.
- Contact a New York Dog Bite Attorney
The laws governing dog bite liability in New York are complex. The state follows a mixed liability system. The dog owner may be held strictly liable for your medical expenses and potentially liable for other damages like lost wages and pain and suffering if they were negligent. An experienced attorney can help you understand the law, investigate the attack, determine liability, and seek the compensation you deserve.
Suffering a dog bite can be stressful, but taking these steps can significantly impact your physical recovery and ability to recover compensation for your damages.
Contact a Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in New York, contact our skilled Long Island dog bite lawyer at Jacobson Law for help protecting your legal rights.
