Dog bites can be distressing and painful, both physically and emotionally. Many people never imagine they might become the victim of a dog attack, yet these incidents happen more often than we realize. Whether it was a neighbor’s dog, a stray, or even a pet you’ve met before, you may now find yourself grappling with difficult questions about your health, safety, and legal options.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may wonder if it’s necessary to seek medical attention. Below, we’ll outline when to seek medical treatment after a dog bite, explain the legal nuances in New York, and offer advice on how we can help you obtain compensation for the medical bills, pain, and suffering caused by your injuries.
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Immediate Medical Treatment Could Save Your Life
Dog bites can be more serious than they initially appear. Even a small puncture wound should never be underestimated. Here are some key situations when you should seek medical attention right away:
The Bite Causes Bleeding That Won’t Stop
If your wound continues to bleed after applying firm pressure for about 10 minutes, seek professional medical help immediately. Persistent bleeding may indicate damage to deeper tissues, including muscles or blood vessels.
The Bite Is Deep or Long
Wounds that tear the skin and penetrate deeply are particularly concerning. These types of bites can quickly become infected because bacteria from the dog’s mouth enter the body through the wound.
Signs of Infection Develop
It’s important to seek medical treatment if your wound becomes red, swollen, warm to the touch, or starts to ooze pus. Other signs of infection include fever, chills, or general feelings of discomfort.
You Suspect Rabies
Rabies is a rare but lethal disease. While vaccinations have made it almost nonexistent in domestic animals, it’s always wise to be cautious. If the dog’s rabies vaccination status is unknown or the dog was behaving erratically, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
You Have a Preexisting Condition That Affects Healing
Individuals with diabetes, cancer, or conditions that compromise the immune system are more susceptible to infections. If that’s you, don’t delay seeking medical care—even for seemingly minor wounds.
The Dog Bite Occurs on Your Face, Hands, or Near Joints
Bites in these areas are particularly damaging and prone to complications. For instance, bites on hands could affect tendons or ligaments, while bites to the face may leave long-lasting scars.
You Haven’t Had a Recent Tetanus Shot
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can follow an animal bite. If it’s been more than five years since your last tetanus booster or if you’re unsure, your healthcare provider may recommend a shot.
Children or Elderly Victims
Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to complications from dog bites due to thinner skin, smaller bodies, and weaker immune systems. Always err on the side of caution and consult a doctor.
Why Is Seeking Medical Treatment Important?
Seeking medical treatment is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that bacteria from the dog’s mouth is properly cleaned and treated to prevent serious infection. When extensive wounds or uncontrollable bleeding from a dog attack occur, emergency treatment from a healthcare professional is necessary.
Seeking medical treatment allows for proper assessment and monitoring of the injury. Even if the bite may seem minor with a low risk of infection, there could be underlying damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves that require further treatment.
How Visiting a Doctor Can Aid in Legal Action After a Dog Bite
Another key reason to seek medical treatment is to have an official record of the incident and any injuries you suffered. Proper documentation for all the injuries, from minor wounds to those that are life-threatening, can be critical if you choose to take legal action against the dog’s owner or their insurance provider.
Types of Dog Bite Wounds
Not all animal bites are the same, and some may require more extensive medical treatment than others:
- Puncture wounds: deeper wounds and narrow holes in the skin caused by a dog’s canine teeth
- Lacerations: larger cuts or tears in the skin
- Avulsions: the skin is partially or completely torn away from the body
- Crush injuries: a dog’s powerful jaws exert pressure on an area of the body, causing damage to muscles, tendons, or bones
- Infections: requiring more aggressive treatment such as antibiotics or even surgery
Dog bite victims often face hospitalization and prolonged treatment resulting in extensive medical bills.
Compensation You May Recover After a Dog Bite Injury
If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation to help ease the financial burden and acknowledge the emotional and physical toll of your injuries. Compensation may include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers costs like emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment you may need.
- Lost Wages or Income: If your injuries force you to miss work, you can recover compensation for lost income, including future earning capacity if your ability to work has been permanently affected.
- Pain and Suffering: Dog bites often lead to severe physical pain and permanent scarring. You may be compensated for both the immediate and lasting impact of these injuries.
- Mental and Emotional Distress: The psychological effects of a dog attack—such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression—can be just as damaging as physical injuries. Emotional recovery may also be factored into your compensation.
- Rehabilitation Costs: This includes physical and occupational therapy needed to regain mobility or adapt to life after the injury.
Our team will work tirelessly to ensure all aspects of your suffering are accounted for in your claim. You don’t have to face this alone—help is just a call away.
Proper Documentation Plays a Vital Role in Your Case
After a dog bite, medical treatment isn’t just about your health—it’s also essential for building a strong legal case. One of the first questions insurance companies, judges, or juries may ask is whether you sought care promptly. Even if you think a bite is minor, having an official medical record helps document the severity of your injuries.
When seeking treatment, follow these steps to ensure your records are complete and thorough:
- Photograph Your Injuries: Photographs serve as powerful evidence. Take clear pictures of the wound immediately after the bite. Continue documenting your injuries as they heal (or worsen).
- Request Copies of Medical Records: Every time you visit a clinic, hospital, or specialist, ask for copies of your records. These will detail the nature of your injuries, treatments provided, and any follow-up care needed.
- Track Medical Expenses: Keep receipts and bills for every expense tied to the dog bite—including medications, therapy sessions, and emergency care. These details are crucial when seeking compensation for economic damages.
Dog Bite Laws in New York
Understanding how New York law handles dog bites can help you better grasp your options for legal recourse. Here are the most critical aspects you should know:
Strict Liability for Economic Damages
One thing many dog bite victims find surprising is that in New York, pursuant to New York Agriculture and Markets Law s. 123, the owner of a dog deemed dangerous is strictly liable for medical bills related to a dog attack except in very limited circumstances. .
Proving Vicious Propensities
To successfully recover damages in New York beyond medical costs, victims must prove that the dog owner knew—or should have known—about the dog’s prior “vicious propensities.” This doesn’t mean that the dog needed to have bitten someone before; evidence of aggressive behavior, such as lunging, growling, or snapping at others, could demonstrate these propensities.
Recent Changes to Breed-Related Coverage Laws
For years, victims of dog bites faced insurance roadblocks when the attacking animal was from a so-called “aggressive breed.” Insurance providers often refused to cover claims if the dog was, for example, a pit bull, Rottweiler, or German Shepherd. Fortunately, recent changes in New York law prevent such exclusions. Now, insurance carriers can no longer deny coverage based on a dog’s breed, making it easier for victims to access compensation regardless of the type of dog that caused their injuries. There may, however, be other allowable insurance policy exclusions which your attorney can investigate.
The Emotional Toll of a Dog Bite
Dog bites don’t only leave physical scars; they can have lasting emotional effects as well. Many victims develop a persistent fear of dogs or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the attack. Children, in particular, can experience long-term psychological harm, making it all the more important to address their emotional well-being alongside their physical recovery.
How a Lawyer Can Help You
The days and weeks after a dog bite attack can feel daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Here’s how an experienced dog bite lawyer can help:
- Evaluate Your Case for Free: Most personal injury law firms offer a no-cost consultation to assess your situation. They can listen to your experience, review the evidence, and determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
- Build a Strong Claim: A lawyer can investigate the circumstances of the attack, seek witness testimony, and uncover any history of aggression on the part of the dog. They will work to gather every piece of evidence needed to prove liability.
- Negotiate With Insurance Companies: Insurance companies rarely make fair offers upfront, but most law firms have the resources and determination to fight for you. From managing communications to negotiating settlements, they handle every aspect of dealing with insurers.
- Advance Costs and Pursue Maximum Compensation: Litigation can be costly, but personal injury law firms can advance all expenses associated with pursuing your claim. They have the financial stability to take on large insurance companies and will not hesitate to go to trial if necessary.
Seek Comprehensive Compensation: Your lawyer helps ensure that all aspects of your suffering—physical, emotional, and financial—are reflected in your compensation. Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.
Call Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP Today
Dog bites are painful, traumatic, and often life-altering, but you don’t have to face the consequences on your own. By seeking medical treatment immediately and consulting with an experienced legal team, you can take an important step toward recovery.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, we’ve spent years helping dog bite victims across Long Island seek justice. With eight attorneys and over 100 years of combined experience, we have a long history of achieving success for our clients. If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, don’t wait—your ability to recover damages may depend on acting quickly.
Contact us today at (631) 451-7900 or through our online form for a free and confidential consultation.
