A dog owner is responsible for the acts of their dogs, especially when they previously knew the dog was aggressive. Their failure to take this aggression into account is often considered negligent behavior. A personal injury case for a dog bite injury may help you recover fair compensation for the injuries you suffered and the other costs caused by the incident.
Seek the counsel of a San Antonio dog bite lawyer. With proper representation by an experienced attorney, you may pursue your claim to seek a positive outcome.
HOW TO HANDLE A DOG ATTACK
After a person is attacked, they should immediately get medical attention. Dog bite injuries are dangerous, even if they seem like nothing to be worried about at first glance. With minor bites, they can easily get infected and cause extremely serious health problems. A dangerous dog may carry rabies or many other infectious diseases. Many of these infections can be fatal if left untreated. Serious dog bites can leave lasting damage if not handled right away. Damage to tendons and other important tissues can occur because of a canine’s teeth.
A dog bite should also be recounted to local authorities. The San Antonio Animal Control Department may be reached to report a dog bite and document the incident. This helps establish the facts of the dog bite case and properly handle the dangerous dog. After this, an injured person should contact an attorney in San Antonio soon after the animal bite to get started on their case.
COMMON DOG BITE INJURIES
The emotional and physical trauma of dog attacks can be quite serious. The injuries may even require major surgeries or extensive recoveries in a hospital. They can leave lasting damage that permanently alters a person’s body and physical abilities. A lengthy period of recovery may require a person to take time off work.
Physical effects from dog bite injuries might include:
- Blood loss
- Lacerations and skin punctures
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Infections and diseases
- Facial and eye injuries
- Damage to muscles or internal organs
- Head and traumatic brain injury
- Death
Psychological harm may also occur from dog attacks, which can be quite devastating. This might include:
- Post-traumatic stress, flashbacks, and anxiety
- A lasting fear of dogs
- Nightmares
- Insomnia and related complications
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Self-consciousness over scars or other disfigurement
All of these potential injuries are serious and deserve quality representation. Due to the long-term impact of dog attacks, it is important to work with an experienced San Antonio dog bite lawyer who takes this into account when seeking damages.
PROVING A DOG OWNER IS NEGLIGENT IN SAN ANTONIO
There is no state law that specifically governs how to prove a dog bite. Instead, case law requires the injured party to prove that the dog owner knew the animal was aggressive or had been so in the past. This may be knowledge of violent behavior or other attacks.
The injured person must also prove the dog owner was negligent in how they handled the situation and that it led to the attack. A dog owner may not keep the dog on a leash, allow them to get too close to people, or engage in other forms of careless conduct.
SEEK COMPENSATION WITH A DOG BITE ATTORNEY IN SAN ANTONIO
You could be entitled to significant compensation in a successfully proven claim. To determine your rights following a dog attack, you should speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney right away.
Get in touch with an experienced San Antonio dog bite lawyer at our firm to better understand your rights to compensation. Contact us today.