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Bitten By a Dog with Shots: Do I Need a Lawyer?

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If you or your child has been bitten by a dog with shots, were bitten by loose dog, or were bitten by stray dog, you no doubt have a multitude of questions. Knowing the potential complications you face, as well as whether you’ll be able to receive reparations from someone to cover the bills you accrue, is important during recovery and for the sake of your long-term wellbeing.

You Should Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you were bitten by a dog with shots and the injuries are minor, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. For severe or life-threatening injuries, call 911. For less severe injuries, you can go to an urgent care clinic or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Rabies is a huge concern during these kinds of attacks, but if the animal was well-cared for and had immunizations, the risk of contracting rabies is minimal. However, you should contact the Philadelphia Division of Disease Control immediately following the attack to assess your risk and to report the incident. Your physician will also take steps to minimize the risk of infection and will document your injuries, which is important if you hope to receive repayment for any medical bills or losses.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

Repayment for your expenses typically comes from the animal’s owner or from his insurance company. If you were bitten by loose dog, finding the responsible party/owner is important in determining liability and obtaining your settlement. If you were bitten by a dog with shots, or an animal that has a clearly identifiable owner, proving liability is much simpler.

There are Many Situations that Make Hiring a Dog Bite Lawyer Imperative

Have a consultation before accepting an insurance settlement. The owner’s insurance company will likely offer a settlement, and if you accept, you will not have to go to court to receive payments for your medical bills or losses. However, insurance companies tend to offer settlements that are far less than a court might award  and that don’t always consider your future needs. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to have a consultation with an attorney to determine if you’re being offered a fair settlement. The professionals featured on Philadelphia offer no-obligation case evaluations, so getting information on how to proceed is easy and costs you nothing.

Seek legal advice if the animal’s owner will not cooperate and provide information. Sometimes, the owner of the animal behaves in a difficult manner, whether out of fear of losing the dog or because of possible insurance penalties. If the owner refuses to provide information, you should talk to a lawyer.

Get legal help if the owner or insurance company is dragging their feet. In Philadelphia, there is a statute of limitations that prevents you from filing a legal claim after a set period of time. If the days and weeks turn into a month or more and you’re not getting help, you should talk to a lawyer. These limits apply even if you are negotiating with the insurance company, so be sure to get help even if you expect them to settle. Some unscrupulous people intentionally drag their feet until the statute of limitations passes, leaving victims with no recourse.

Hire an attorney if the injuries are severe. If you have broken bones, scarring, needed more than a couple sutures, or have any kind of disfigurement or disability as a result of your attack, it’s important to bring an attorney on board right away. Your lawyer will assess how much these things will impact your future, and may be able to help you get funds for damaged property, subsequent medical bills, future lost wages, time away from work, pain and suffering, and more.

Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer

Even if you were bitten by a dog with shots, versus being bitten by stray dog, your wounds could become infected or internal damage may have occurred that will cause serious issues down the line. If at any point after the attack you question whether you need an attorney, you owe it to yourself to at least take advantage of a free consultation. At Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer, we highlight experienced and aggressive attorneys who will fight to ensure you are treated fairly and receive the compensation you deserve. Review their profiles and schedule your no-obligation case evaluations today.