Finding yourself on the receiving end of a dog bite can be a horrible situation. Not only is there immense pain associated with the situation, but there is also a slew of different medical issues and concerns that you will have to deal with. No matter the situation, you have to be able to act quickly when this happens as time is of the essence. Before you attempt to do anything to resolve the issue, you should first guarantee your safety and flee the area. Escaping and getting away from the dog should be your first priority. Once that is done, here is a list of some of the top necessary things you should do if you have had a dog bite.
Hire an Attorney
One of the first things that you should be doing after you have found yourself bit by a dog is call up an attorney and hire them to represent you. The sooner you make the call, the sooner they can begin to build a case.
If the dog bite was serious, you can expect to miss some time at work and even have some long-term medical complications. The sooner the trial is started, the sooner you can get the money that you deserve. Hiring a legal expert is a great choice as they will not only build the best possible case for you but will also give you the time that you need to recover and heal. The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner you can put the issue behind you and get the money that you deserve.
Wash the Area
A dog’s mouth is full of many different types of bacteria and contaminants that can be extremely hazardous for you. The cut is most likely going to get infected if you don’t start cleaning it right away. Once you are home and away from the dog, run the wound over warm water and use soap to help clean it. There is a good chance that there will be a lot of discomfort and pain while you are doing this, but you have to persevere through it to ensure the wound is clean. Along with washing away any bacteria, you should also be cleaning up any blood that is hardening around the wound.
If it is still bleeding, use the water to wash it away so you can get a good idea of how deep the cut is and how big it is. Make sure you are giving the area a good cleaning once you are able to.
Slow the Bleeding
Once it is clean, it is now time to slow the bleeding. Grab a clean cloth and put a bit of pressure onto it. This will slow the bleeding down while not cutting away circulation. Once again, there will be some pain that is associated with this, however, if the cut is deep and bleeding profusely, you will have to do something to slow the bleeding until you get medical attention.
Apply Bandages
If you are able to apply bandages to the wound, it is recommended that you move the cloth and cover it. Stacking bandages and gauze on top of one another helps as you will find the materials getting covered in blood fairly quickly. Make sure that the bandages are sterile and that you are constantly reapplying more gauze on top of the wound as need be.
Visit the Doctor
Now that the wound has been bandaged, it is time to go to the doctor and have a professional look at it. They will once again work to clean the cut and see if there are any more serious issues at play. If stitches are required they will also do that for you, thereby stopping a lot of the bleeding. You can expect to be given antibiotics as well to fight off any potential infections.
Check the Wound Often
Finally, once everything is over, you should be checking the bandage often for any signs of infection and changing it as need be. Just because there were no infections when you visited the doctor does not mean new infections cannot start. By changing the bandages often as well, you ensure that the area stays sterile, thus lowering the chances of any complications.
These are all things that you should do if you have had a dog bite. You should definitely work to get the compensation that you deserve for being involved in this accident as it will not only cover your medical bills but also help you with any lost time at work. Take the time to recover it and be careful as these kinds of injuries can turn into something far more serious rather quickly.
