Belleville Dog Bite Attorney

A dog bite or dog attack is scary whether a known dog or a strange dog bites you or your child.. Dog bites can cause minimal injuries, such as scratches, or they can cause severe damages or even death. A Belleville dog bite attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve through a personal injury claim.

When Should I Call a Belleville Dog Bite Attorney?

After a dog bite, you are most likely concentrating on recovering. However, you could recover compensation for your injuries. Even if you know the dog, you should contact a Belleville dog bite attorney. You are recovering compensation from an insurance company – not your friend or relative. The sooner you contact a dog bite attorney in Illinois, the sooner you could have some income coming in to pay medical expenses. And, if your injuries are severe enough that you cannot work, you may have money to pay for medical expenses and pay bills.

What Steps Should I Take after a Dog Attacks Me?

If the dog that bit you is a stranger, you should try to take pictures of the dog, but only if it is safe enough to do so. If not, try to remember what the dog looked like, including its height, approximate weight, colors, whether it was wearing a collar, and the color of the collar. You could also try to determine the breed. Take photos of your wounds before you clean them, if possible. If the wounds are serious, call first responders immediately. Press a clean, dry cloth on it to try to stop the bleeding. If the wounds do not seem to be serious, wash them out with water and bandage them. See your doctor as soon as possible or visit the emergency room to ensure that the wound is clean and that you do not need stitches. Once you have taken care of your medical needs, contact a Belleville dog bite attorney for a free case evaluation.

What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries and Complications after a Dog Bite?

According to WebMD, about 4.7 million people – half of them children between 5 and 9 years of age – suffer from dog bites each year. Of those, one out of five requires medical attention. Depending on the size of the dog and the size of the person, dog bites can cause severe injuries, including injuries to the face, neck, and eyes, as well as lacerations. Even if one tooth makes contact before you can fend the dog off, that tooth could cause a deep wound that needs stitches. Common complications of dog bites include infections, especially for those with a compromised immune system. Some of the complications you should watch for include:

• Capnocytophaga, which includes symptoms such as blistering, swelling, pain around the wound, oozing, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, joint pain, and headaches. Symptoms can appear up to 14 days after the dog bite. If left untreated, Capnocytophaga could cause gangrene, kidney failure, and heart attacks.
• Sepsis, which includes symptoms such as confusion, severe pain, discomfort, irregular body temperature, and daytime sleepiness. The body temperature could run high or low. Because sepsis is life-threatening, you need immediate medical attention if you have any of the symptoms.
• Rabies symptoms include weakness, fever, itchiness at the bite site, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. If you do not receive treatment for rabies, the disease is fatal.
• Tetanus symptoms include muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, having a hard time swallowing, and cramping in your jaw. You need immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of tetanus.

Even if your bites seem minor, you should have a doctor look at the dog bite. A small puncture could be deep enough to require stitches. Also, doctors will irrigate the wound with an antibiotic solution to decrease the risk of infection.

Who is Responsible for My Injuries?

In most cases, the dog’s owner is responsible for your injuries. However, most people have insurance that covers your damages. When you file a claim, you file it against the insurance company. However, if a stray dog bit you, you will have to make a claim against your own insurance company. Many people use their medical insurance to cover medical expenses for dog bites. Depending on your insurance company, you could also recover lost wages.  If you have been in an accident, be sure to give us a call!

Contact a Belleville Dog Bite Attorney

After suffering from a dog bite, contact a Belleville dog bite attorney as soon as possible. While your wounds might seem minor, complications could set in. The dog’s owner should be responsible for all of your medical expenses, including co-payments, prescription expenses, lost wages, and other damages. For more severe injuries, the defendant is responsible for possible excessive scarring, amputation, disfigurement, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact us today for a free case review.

TOP-RATED BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS DOG BITE ATTORNEY

Choosing a dog bite attorney to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve is an important decision. The Law Office of Jason B Going is experienced and proven when it comes to personal injury cases, and they will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your case. If you have been injured due to the negligent acts or omissions of someone else, we can help get you the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.