5 Steps To Take After An Animal Bite In Minnesota

Animals can be great companions, and many people consider their dog or cat to be a member of their family, but even tame animals can lash out at strangers or children and cause injury. Bite injuries from animals send thousands of people to the emergency room every year, and it’s important to know what to do if you or a family member have been bitten by an animal. In today’s blog, we share five steps you should take if you’ve been bitten by an animal if you want to collect compensation for your injuries.

What To Do After A Bite Injury In Minnesota

If you’ve been bitten by someone’s dog, cat or other domesticated animal, here are five steps to take to ensure you are set up for a payday if you elect to pursue compensation.

1. Get Medical Care – The first thing you should do if you are bitten by an animal is seek medical attention. Even if it doesn’t seem all that bad, if the bite punctured the skin, you’ll want to have it examined by a medical specialist. Animal mouth’s have different bacteria in them than a human mouth, and if this bacteria enters our bloodstream, infections and other severe health conditions can develop. For minor cuts, it’s not the cut itself that does the long-term damage, it’s the potential for infection. Also, getting prompt medical attention showcases to the insurance company and an injury court that you viewed your injuries as potentially serious.

2. Collect Information – Next, get as much information about the animal and its owner as possible. This information will come in handy as you move forward with an injury claim. Besides the basics about the animal and the owner, try to find out if the animal has a history of aggression or past incidents, as this can factor into your award amount. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses that can verify your version of events.

3. Report The Incident – Next, you’ll want to report the incident to the local authorities. Make sure you file a police report or contact an animal control agency to report the incident. They have protocols they’ll have to follow once a report is made, but filing a timely report gives you legal documentation with which to help build your case. The insurance company may question why you didn’t think it was necessary to file a report, so cover your tracks and ensure the proper authorities are notified of the bite.

4. Write Down Your Experience – An animal bite incident can be traumatic and happen in the blink of an eye, so when you’ve had a minute to compose yourself and collect your thoughts, put a pen to paper and write down your experiences. Write down the details about when and where the incident occurred, what led up to the bite and who can verify your story. There’s a chance that the animal’s owner may dispute your version of events, and writing down your story can ensure your details stay consistent and don’t fade from memory.

5. Contact A Lawyer – Finally, if you’re truly interested in maximizing your claim award after an animal bite in Minnesota, you need to sync up with a lawyer. We can help put together a strong case that showcases the extent of your injuries and factors in all the short-term and long-term implications of the damage. Don’t jump at the first offer when a big payday is right around the corner. Let us use our years of industry experience to earn you the biggest injury award possible based on your injuries. To learn more, or to talk to a lawyer about your bite injury, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today.