A dog bite can happen in seconds, but your actions in the minutes and hours that follow can significantly impact both your health and your legal rights. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Wisconsin, knowing what steps to take immediately can help protect your wellbeing and preserve your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what you should do right after a dog bite occurs.
Immediate Medical Priorities
Your health and safety should be your first concern after any dog bite:
Get to Safety: If the dog is still aggressive or the owner cannot control it, move to a safe location immediately. Don’t turn your back on an aggressive dog – back away slowly while facing the animal.
Control Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to any bleeding wounds with a clean cloth or bandage. If bleeding is severe, call 911 immediately.
Clean the Wound: If possible, gently clean the bite wound with soap and water. However, don’t delay seeking medical attention to do this – it can be done at the hospital.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if the bite seems minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Dog bites can cause serious infections, and some injuries may be more severe than they initially appear. Puncture wounds, in particular, can be deceptively dangerous.
Document Everything at the Scene
While your health is the priority, gathering information at the scene is also crucial for any potential legal case:
Identify the Dog and Owner: Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Also note the dog’s breed, size, color, and any identifying features.
Get Vaccination Information: Ask about the dog’s rabies vaccination status and request to see vaccination records if possible.
Take Photos: If you’re able, take pictures of your injuries, the dog, the location where the bite occurred, and any torn clothing or damaged property.
Identify Witnesses: Get contact information for anyone who saw the attack. Witness testimony can be crucial if the owner later claims you provoked the dog or were trespassing.
Note the Circumstances: Write down or mentally note exactly what happened – what you were doing when the dog bit you, whether you were on public or private property, and any words exchanged with the owner.
Report the Incident
Wisconsin law requires certain reporting procedures after dog bites:
Contact Animal Control: Report the bite to your local animal control authority. This creates an official record of the incident and helps protect others from potential future attacks.
File a Police Report: In many jurisdictions, dog bites must be reported to police. Even if not required, having a police report can be valuable evidence.
Report to Health Department: Some areas require dog bites to be reported to the local health department, particularly if there are concerns about rabies exposure.
Preserve Evidence
Evidence can disappear quickly, so take steps to preserve it:
Keep Damaged Clothing: Don’t throw away torn or bloodied clothing – it can serve as evidence of the attack’s severity.
Document Your Injuries: Take photos of your injuries immediately and continue photographing them as they heal. This creates a visual record of your recovery process.
Keep Medical Records: Save all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment.
Write Down What Happened: While the incident is fresh in your memory, write a detailed account of what occurred.
Follow Up on Medical Care
Dog bite injuries require ongoing attention:
Follow Treatment Instructions: Complete any prescribed antibiotic courses and follow all medical advice to prevent complications.
Watch for Signs of Infection: Redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaking from the wound can indicate infection requiring immediate medical attention.
Consider Rabies Risk: If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown or if it was acting strangely, discuss rabies post-exposure prophylaxis with your doctor.
Document Ongoing Treatment: Keep records of all follow-up appointments, medications, and any complications that arise.
Protect Your Legal Rights
Several steps can help preserve your legal options:
Don’t Give Recorded Statements: Insurance companies may contact you quickly asking for recorded statements. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.
Don’t Accept Quick Settlement Offers: Initial settlement offers are often far below what your case is actually worth. Don’t accept anything until you’ve consulted with an experienced Wisconsin dog bite attorney.
Don’t Sign Anything: Avoid signing any documents from insurance companies without legal review.
Contact an Attorney: Wisconsin’s strict liability dog bite law favors victims, but insurance companies will still try to minimize their payouts. An experienced attorney can protect your rights from the beginning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make these common errors that can hurt your case:
•Failing to seek immediate medical attention
•Not reporting the incident to authorities
•Accepting the owner’s promise to “take care of everything”
•Giving detailed statements to insurance companies without legal representation
•Waiting too long to contact an attorney
Why Quick Action Matters
Acting quickly after a dog bite is important because:
•Evidence can disappear or be destroyed
•Witnesses’ memories fade over time
•Medical complications may not appear immediately
•Insurance companies begin building their defense immediately
•Wisconsin has statutes of limitations that limit how long you have to file a lawsuit
Contact Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Wisconsin, don’t navigate this process alone. Contact Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC as soon as possible for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the process, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve under Wisconsin’s strict liability dog bite law.
Remember, you pay nothing unless we win your case.