What To Do If You Are Bitten or Injured By a Dog

Any time you are bitten by a dog it is a serious injury. That is because of

the risk of rabies and infection. Of course some dog bites in terms of the

wound are more serious than others. Dog bite injuries run the gamut

from a small puncture wound requiring an emergency room visit , to

serious disfigurement and functional loss and even death.

The following are steps you should take to protect your health and your

right to recover damages from the dog owner, harborer or keeper in the

State of Ohio.

1. If you are attacked by a dog get yourself to a place of safety. Inside

a car, on top of a car wherever you can get out of harms way.

2. Call 911 or ask anyone close by to call 911. If you do not have a cell

phone knock on the nearest door and tell them you were bitten by

a dog and ask them to call 911.

3. You now have medical attention on the way and the police.

4. You, of course want the medics to tend to your wound and take you

to the hospital if you cannot get there yourself.

5. You want to identify the dog. Give the police as much information

as you can. If possible use your camera phone to take photos of the

dog.

6. If someone was with the dog or you know the house where the dog

came from try to get the name , address and phone number of the

owner of the dog and/or where the dog was kept be it a home or

business.

7. Identification of the owner , keeper or harborer of the dog is vital

so that you can identify the source of possible insurance. Most

recoveries of compensation from dog bites comes from

homeowners or renters insurance policies. The dog’s owner may

be living in the home of a friend. That friend’s insurance may be

responsible for payment if the homeowner let the dog live there as

the homeowner although not the owner of the dog is considered a

harboer and under Ohio law is responsible for the dog

8. Document your injury with photographs.

9. Call the board of health or the dog warden so an additional

investigation can be made documenting the person(s) responsible

for the dog.

10 Consider speaking with an experienced dog bite lawyer so that

they can investigate your claim , find insurance coverage , preserve

evidence and negotiate with the insurance company to help you get

the best settlement possible.

I would be happy for you to call me for a free no obligation case

consultation.

Anthony Castelli Attorney

8170 Corporate Park Drive #220

Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

513-621-2345

www.castellilaw.com