Dog bites are painful, and at the same time, you may be worrying about how to hold the dog owner accountable. Before you call a dog bite lawyer, you need to seek immediate medical attention. A dog bite accident, no matter how big or small, requires some first aid. If you suffer from a dog attack or any other animal attack, this is what you should do.
Key Takeaways
- Always move to a secure place and assess your injuries after a dog attack.
- Even minor dog bites can lead to serious infections. Get medical attention right away to receive proper treatment, including anti-rabies and tetanus shots if needed.
- Quick first aid, like cleaning, stopping the bleeding, and bandaging, can prevent infection and complications.
Get to Safety and Stop the Attack
Even if you were able to move the dog away, there are instances when the attack can happen again. Some dog owners may not be able to control their dogs, or they may simply not be attentive enough to stop them. So here is what you should do.
As soon as you can, relocate to a secure area if the dog is still acting aggressively.
How to Keep Yourself Safe in the Event of an Attack:
- A fall increases the chance of serious injuries, so try to stay upright.
- Put something between you and the dog, like a stick, jacket, or bag.
- A hostile dog may feel threatened if you make eye contact with it.
- Cover your face and neck and curl into a ball if you are knocked down.
- Before continuing, evaluate the severity of your injuries after the attack has stopped.
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Dog bites can be painful and traumatizing. Let the lawyers at Sidhu Personal Injury Lawyers Edmonton help you get compensated for your case.
Determine The Severity of Your Injuries
While some dog bite injuries result in deep wounds, torn ligaments, or infections, others only cause minor punctures. Look for the following:
| Minor wounds | Scratches on the surface or tiny puncture wounds that don’t bleed much. |
| Deep wounds | Harm the underlying tissues and present a risk of infection. |
| Severe bleeding | Wound is bleeding profusely. |
| Major injuries | Muscles, tendons, or bones are visible. |
Clean the Wound
Once you are in a safe space and have assessed the dog bite incident, it’s time to apply the necessary treatments.
Go ahead and wash the wound if the bite is minor or moderate and the bleeding is under control. If the wound continues to bleed, you need to stop it first.
- Use running water to rinse the bite. Rinse off any debris, dirt, or saliva with clean tap water.
- Clean the area gently with a mild soap. Scrubbing too vigorously could make things worse.
- Rinse well to get rid of all the soap.
- Using a fresh towel or several paper towels, pat the area dry.
Stop the Bleeding
Check for bleeding once the bite has been cleaned. Depending on the depth and location, some bites bleed a lot. If blood is still flowing, take immediate action to stop it.
The following actions can be helpful:
- Use a towel, gauze pad, or clean cloth to apply direct pressure.
- Continue applying pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops or slows down.
- If the cloth gets wet, place another one on top of it rather than taking it off.
- If you can, elevate the area above the level of the heart to help stop the bleeding.
See a doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop in ten to fifteen minutes. Some dog attacks may cause soft tissue damage that requires sutures or additional attention, or they may strike a tiny vein.
Bandaging the Injuries
After the bleeding has stopped, you should protect the area from debris, pressure, and other factors that might impede the healing process.
Here’s how to do it correctly:
- Make sure the area is completely dry.
- Put a small amount of antibacterial ointment on.
- Cover the bite with a sterile, clean bandage or gauze pad.
- Use non-irritating medical tape to secure.
Avoid wrapping it too tightly. Air is necessary for the injured skin to heal.
Seek Medical Attention
Although first aid has its uses, it cannot frequently take the place of medical care. Obtain a professional opinion if you believe the bite may have gone deep, even if it doesn’t appear to be too severe.
For minor to moderate wounds, you can follow the above first aid instructions before getting medical help, but for severe dog bites, you must get help right away.
The following are some obvious indicators that you need a doctor immediately:
- A deep puncture that ruptures beneath the epidermis
- The wound swells, turns red, gets warm, or begins to leak.
- When attempting to move the area surrounding the bite, you experience pain.
- Bite occurs on the hands, face, joints, or intimate regions.
- Within a day or two of the bite (even after seeking medical attention), you suddenly develop a fever or chills.
Seeking medical attention, whether for severe or minor bites, is important because you may need anti-rabies and tetanus toxoid shots, especially if your vaccination status isn’t up to date or you don’t know the dog’s vaccination history.
After Medical Attention, Seek an Edmonton Dog Bite Lawyer
After you have sought the necessary medical attention, it’s time to seek the help of a dog bite attorney. A dog bite case requires money for medical bills. Who’s going to pay or reimburse the money you spent? The dog owner. To hold the owner accountable, you need to file a dog bite claim with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Let Sidhu Personal Injury Lawyer manage your case. We can reach out to the owner and request compensation for your case, but if they refuse, a dog bite lawsuit will follow. You deserve to be compensated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contact the insurance company of the dog owner?
No. Insurance companies try to reduce payouts, so you need to be cautious. Do not make any recorded statements without first getting legal advice. The initial settlement offer may be too low, so avoid accepting it.
What types of compensation am I entitled to after a dog bite in Edmonton?
You may be entitled to compensation for health expenses, including hospital visits, medications, and any necessary therapy. You could also receive reimbursement for lost wages if the injury prevents you from working, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and permanent scarring or disability.
Do I still need to see a doctor after a dog bite if my anti-rabies and tetanus vaccinations are up to date?
Yes, you should still see a doctor after a dog bite, even if your vaccinations are current. Dog bites can cause infections, tissue damage, or other complications that require professional evaluation. A doctor can properly clean and treat the wound, assess the risk of infection, and provide additional care if needed.