Tampa Dog Bite Attorneys

What to Do If You Have Suffered a Dog Bite Injury

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it is important to immediately seek medical attention. Here, we present tips on what you should do if bitten by a dog, both to ensure your physical well-being and to protect your legal rights.

First and foremost, if you have suffered from a dog bite injury, you should immediately remove yourself from the situation and contact the police. When the police arrive, go over what happened in detail, and be sure to include the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident occur. Remember, the more details you provide, the better your claim for compensation will be down the road. Review the police report for accuracy, and request that a copy is sent to you.

Next, seek medical treatment. If the dog bite injury is serious enough, you may be treated at the scene; otherwise, it is up to you to get yourself to a doctor. DO NOT WAIT. Do this immediately after the accident, and provide your doctor with a detailed accounting of what happened. Review the medical records to make sure everything was recorded accurately. Remember to report all of your pain symptoms even if they seem small as this could be an indication of a more serious problem that will not become apparent until later.

Although you should report the incident to your insurance carrier, DO NOT speak to any insurance representative except your own. Many times, the dog owner’s insurance carrier will contact you to get a statement. Remember, this claims adjuster is working for the dog owner, and it is his job to limit the amount of compensation you are paid. Any statement you give could be taken out of context and later used against you.

Soon after the dog bite accident, you should contact an attorney with experience in Florida dog bite injuries, such as attorney James O. Cunningham. Do not delay. More likely than not, the dog owner and his or her insurance company are already in touch with lawyers and are busy preparing a case to limit the compensation you deserve.

Your Tampa Dog Bite Attorney

Utilizing the services of a qualified and knowledgeable Tampa dog bite attorney will ensure you get the compensation to which you are entitled. If you have suffered injuries due to a dog bite and would like to speak with an attorney, please contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. today at 813-355-9772.