What to Do After a Dog Bite in California

 Posted on February 20, 2024 in Personal Injury

Dog bites can happen very unexpectedly. You may have been walking a familiar route or spending time in your own front yard when you suddenly encountered an aggressive loose dog. Or, a dog you reasonably believed was friendly and playing may have abruptly bitten you or your child without warning. Dog bites can cause serious harm, either through direct injury from the bite or through an infection you do not notice until days later. It is important to seek urgent medical care for any dog bite that breaks the skin or leads to significant swelling and bruising. California dog owners are generally strictly liable when their dog bites. Even if you think the dog is well cared for and unlikely to be carrying disease or that the bite is not very serious, you should get a doctor to address the bite right away. Next, you should contact a Gilroy, CA, dog bite lawyer even if you are not sure you want to file a lawsuit right away.

Why You Need Medical Care After a Dog Bite

Even if the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations for rabies and other serious communicable diseases, you never know what type of bacteria might be living in its mouth. A dog does not need to be infected with a disease to pass it on through a bite. Dogs have a habit of picking up strange - and often disgusting - items found lying on the ground with their mouths. You do not know if the dog has just ingested another animal’s feces or picked up a stick previously gnawed on by a rabid raccoon or other disease-carrying suburban pest. Harmful bacteria can be forced under your skin and into your bloodstream during a bite.

A canine bite that does not break the skin can still cause significant harm. Dogs may bite with force great enough to cause injury to ligaments or break delicate bones in the hands or face without leaving an obvious puncture wound. If you notice swelling or bruising, it is a good idea to have a qualified medical professional examine the bite site to rule out any serious injury. They may order an x-ray or other test to detect any hidden injuries under the skin.

Why You Should Always Call a Santa Clara County Lawyer 

Some injuries caused by dog bites are not immediately obvious. A lawyer can begin preserving evidence right away so that if you do decide to sue later, all the documentation you need will be ready to go. Your attorney may advise you to take photographs of the dog or the injury or to save video footage from your security cameras just in case.

Contact a Gilroy, CA, Dog Bite Attorney

Fuller Law Firm can offer prompt advice to those bitten by a dog. Experienced Santa Clara County, CA, dog bite lawyer Cory Fuller will work to get you any compensation you may need. Contact us at 408-234-7563 for a free consultation.