While many dogs are sweet, loyal, and friendly, this is not the case for all canines. Unfortunately, dog bites are not uncommon in the United States, whether due to the dog’s temperament or the owner’s negligence. Regardless, dog bite victims often do not know how to proceed or if they are entitled to compensation. If this reflects your circumstances, you’ll want to keep reading to learn what to do if you are bitten and how Baltimore County dog bite attorneys can guide you through this difficult time.
What Should Dog Bite Victims Do After Injury?
If you are injured from a dog bite, understanding what to do is imperative. Generally, the first thing you should do is wash the bite with antibacterial soap and water. This can help prevent an infection from setting in. You should follow up with your primary care provider who can give you additional treatment. If the injury requires immediate medical attention, you should seek immediate care at your local emergency room.
If the dog’s owner is around, you should inquire about their last rabies vaccination. In the event the dog is not up to date on their immunizations, you believe the owner is lying, or the dog appears to be a stray, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Out of an abundance of caution, you will likely receive treatment to help prevent a rabies infection. Additionally, you may have to get a tetanus shot depending on when your last immunization was.
What Damages Can a Victim Seek?
Holding a dog owner liable can be complex in Maryland. It’s important to understand there are no civil penalties for animal attacks, meaning you must show that the owner was negligent in recovering funds. Essentially, this means that if you were on the person’s property, for example, and the owner did not take steps to protect you from a dangerous animal, they may be held liable because they breached their duty to keep you safe as a visitor. However, if you provoked the dog, you may be unable to recover compensation under Maryland’s contributory negligence statute. Additionally, if you were on the property without consent, you are ineligible to seek damages.
However, if you were injured because of the negligence of the dog owner, it’s important to understand the compensation you are entitled to. Generally, you can seek funds for medical bills, lost wages, and any property that may have been damaged during the incident. Aside from economic damages, you can seek compensation for emotional damages sustained. It’s not uncommon for victims of dog bites to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following the incident, among other emotional losses. For example, if you are physically scarred as a result of the injury, this can cause an emotional decline for which you would be entitled to compensation.
As you can see, there are many considerations that must be made when recovering compensation for dog bite injuries. That’s why the dedicated legal team at the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi will do everything possible to assist you in these matters. Contact us today to learn how we can help you during these times.
