A dog bite can be frightening, painful, and expensive.
Even a bite that looks small can damage nerves, tendons, muscles, and other tissue. There is also a risk of infection and permanent scarring.
Get Medical Treatment
Your first priority should be medical care.
A healthcare provider can clean and evaluate the wound, determine whether additional treatment is needed, and document the injury.
Medical documentation may later become important in a claim.
Identify the Dog and Owner
If it is safe to do so, obtain the owner’s name and contact information.
Do not put yourself at additional risk trying to approach an unfamiliar or aggressive animal.
Information about the dog’s vaccination history may also be important.
Photograph Your Injuries
Take photographs as the injury develops.
Initial photographs may show the wound before swelling or bruising becomes more pronounced. Later photographs can document scarring and healing complications.
Mississippi Dog Bite Claims Can Depend on the Circumstances
Mississippi generally follows what is commonly called the “one bite rule,” meaning liability can depend on whether the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s dangerous tendencies or whether the owner was otherwise negligent. Timbs Injury Law’s existing Mississippi dog-bite materials describe this approach.
That means evidence about the dog’s previous behavior can be important.
Save Your Records
Keep:
- Medical bills
- Treatment records
- Prescription information
- Photographs
- Lost wage documentation
- Witness information
- Communications with the owner or insurer
Do not assume that because the wound is healing, there is no claim.
Dog bites can leave permanent scars and emotional trauma.
Talk to an Attorney
Insurance companies may attempt to minimize a dog bite claim because the wound appears small.
The physical appearance of a wound does not necessarily tell the full story.
If you were bitten by a dog in Jackson, Hinds County, or elsewhere in Mississippi, Timbs Injury Law can review the circumstances and help determine whether you may have a claim for compensation.