I’ve Just Been Bitten by a Dog, Do I Need a Doctor and Can I Get Compensation for My Medical Bills?

First off, if a dog has bitten you, you should seek medical attention immediately, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the dog and your condition includes the following

• The bite wound won’t stop bleeding
• The bite wound looks infected (e.g. red, swollen, oozing pus)
• The dog was stray
• The bite is deep
• The attack broke a bone
• The bite wound is causing tremendous pain

When in doubt over your condition, seek the medical advice of a physician. When you’re at the clinic or E.R., be ready to answer questions about what happened. Did you know the dog’s owner? When was the animal last vaccinated? Rabies is uncommon in dogs in the United States, but it’s not unheard of either. It’s always best to be safe, because contracting rabies in humans is a painful, and deadly risk to take. We advise not to take the risk by getting rabies shots following any animal bite, especially when it is unknown whether or not the animal has been vaccinated.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Any reliable San Antonio dog bite attorney will tell you that seeing a doctor is critical to building a strong personal injury claim against the owner of the dog that bit you. A doctor will help provide proof of your dog bite injury, allowing you to claim compensation for your treatment and recovery.

The strength of your claim will be hinged on how much evidence you can collect and submit to the insurance company. Besides the size of your medical, the insurance adjuster will also look at how quickly you sought medical treatment. Wait too long, and the adjuster will take it to mean that your injuries aren’t as serious as your claim states, which may lead to a reduction in the settlement amount, or worst, a denied claim.

What Do I Need from My Doctor?

When you see your doctor, request them to be especially detailed in you medical records. Again, doctor’s notes will play a critical role in beefing up your claim for compensation. If you had to take time off to recover from your injury, make sure your doctor notes this in your chart. If your injury caused a major change in the way you go about your daily activities tell your doctor about it.

It’s also important to look for the best dog bite lawyers San Antonio has to offer. These attorneys will be familiar with personal injury claims, particularly cases that involve dog bites. Learn more about your rights by consulting the legal team at Barrus Injury Lawyers in San Antonio.