Dog Bite Lawyer Shares What to Do if You Have Been Injured by a Dog Bite in New Jersey
Not all dogs in New Jersey are friendly. Many residents who live in apartment complexes and high-rise apartments in the State of New Jersey are sharing elevators and common grounds with neighbors who have dogs on a daily basis. Some dogs are more aggressive than others and it is important to keep your distance to safeguard yourself, unfortunately, that is difficult to do if a dog lunges at you in an elevator. If you have been injured by a dog bite in New Jersey it is important to know what steps to take. A New Jersey dog bite lawyer shares some tips for what to do if you have been bitten by a dog in Essex or Monmouth County. Call Clark Law Firm P.C. today for assistance at 1-877-841-8855.
Focus on Getting the Medical Attention You Need for Your Injury for Your Dog Bite Injury
Depending on if your dog bite is minor or more severe, the next steps to take will depend on if your dog bite injury is more minor or severe.
If your dog bite is minor, you may be able to gently clean the wound with warm water and soap and then apply an antibiotic treatment that you can easily order from a Walgreens or CVS pharmacy and then cover it with a sterile bandage.
Even for minor dog bites it is important to treat them appropriately otherwise they may lead to an infection and further complications. If you do see any signs of infection, go to the nearest urgent care to get checked out.
What Are Some Signs of Infection from a Dog Bite?
Some signs of infection to watch out for may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Increased Pain
- Skin May Feel Warm
- Pus or Discharge
- Fever
- Chills or Sweating
- Lymph Node Swelling
- Foul Odor
- Feeling Tired or Fatigued
- Loss of Function in Area Around the Wound
What to Do if You Have a Deeper Bite or Wound
If the dog bite is deeper or bleeding nonstop; then it would be advisable to go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room in your area. You may need professional medical assistance to stop the bleeding and ensure that there is no infection.
Are You Able to Identify the Dog Owner and the Dog?
If you are injured by a particular dog, it’s important to know or somehow get a hold of the name of the owner and more information on their dog including if the dog is vaccinated or not. If the dog owner does not look familiar to you – taking a photo of them and their dog can help the building management identify them. Most property management companies are required to have a photo of every approved pet who lives on the property.
Document Everything and Take Photos of Anything Related to the Incident
Make sure that you take photos of your injuries and wounds. Furthermore, if any of your clothing was torn due to this unfortunate incident, take photos and video footage of that.
Capture any Witnesses’ Contact Information
If there were any witnesses in the area who saw you get bitten by the dog. Try to get their name and contact information and a brief statement of what they witnessed. If you do file a lawsuit for your injuries, witness testimony will be helpful to provide to your dog bite attorney.
Keep Records of When and Where the Incident Occurred
Make sure to document the approximate or exact time, date, and what exactly happened and where as well as any particular circumstances leading up to the incident.
Notify Your Building Management Company or Homeowners Association
Most apartment complexes and homeowners’ associations have strict policies in place for how they’re to deal with dogs/pets that are aggressive. It is the responsibility of the property management to keep their residents safe as well as the property. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable for negligence.
Does the Dog Who Bite You Have a History of Biting Others?
If the dog that bit you has a history of biting others; it may be time to reach out to animal control authorities.
They may be able to issue warnings to the dog’s owner and ultimately if they have to remove the animal from the building, they would be able to do so with authority.
Be Aware That Going Through a Scary Experience Like This May Trigger Anxiety or PTSD
If you are having trouble sleeping at night or find yourself feeling anxious every time you see a dog it might be beneficial to seek professional guidance from a therapist or counselor who can help you.
Contact a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer to Protect Your Rights
A NJ dog injury lawyer can evaluate your case and tell you what steps to take to protect your rights. They can also determine if you are potentially entitled to any compensation and if so, they can help you file a claim against the defendant. Contact Clark Law Firm P.C. today at 1-877-841-8855, if you have been injured by a dog bite and need a New Jersey dog bite lawyer to help you.
