What to Do After a Dog Bite

child with bandaged hands

Act Quickly to Protect Your Legal Rights

Our first piece of advice is to act quickly after you've been the victim of a dog bite. There are a few reasons why:

1. There are time limits to file a claim. Each state has its own laws about how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. If you wait too long, you may not be able to even try to get compensation.

2. It's best to discuss your accident with an attorney when the facts are still fresh. As days and weeks go past, you and any witnesses may begin to forget exactly what happened, and even the smallest details can be important when it comes to proving your claim.

3. Evidence disappears quickly. Wounds heal, conditions change, etc. The faster an attorney can start collecting evidence, the better. This gives the best chance of building a strong case. This is also why you should take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible – even waiting a day or two can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

If you have questions about your dog bite accident, including if you have a case or if you need an attorney, feel free to get in touch with us for a free legal consultation. We're available 24/7 and you don't owe us anything unless and until we win your case.

Call 412-394-1000 or fill out the form at the top right of this page.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

This is simple. Don't sign anything and don't give a recorded statement until you've spoken to an experienced attorney.

Insurance companies have one goal in mind: Protecting their bottom line. Oftentimes, this doesn't include making sure you get paid what you deserve for your injuries. Even if an insurance company seems like they're concerned about your well-being, their job is not to maximize the value of your case and give you the compensation you deserve.

For example:

  • An insurance company probably won't tell you that future surgeries may be considered "cosmetic" by health insurance providers and won't be covered. Hiring the right attorney gives you the best chance of getting money that will cover all of your future medical needs.
  • They may not tell you that you might be eligible for additional compensation for pain and suffering or if you've sustained a facial scar. We know exactly what you're entitled to – and we know how to get it.

The insurance company knows their game plan right from the start, so you're playing by their rules if you don't hire an experienced attorney.

After helping the victims of dog bites for more than three decades, we know what insurance companies are going to do before they do it. That means we know exactly how to protect our clients' rights, and if you hire us, you'll have an entire legal team dedicated to protecting yours.

Dealing With the Dog's Owner

We have the same advice as dealing with the insurance company – don't sign anything the dog's owner gives you, and don't agree to give a recorded statement. We also recommend that you don't write to the owner. The most communication you should have is getting their name, contact information, insurance information, and their dog's license number.

Working with an attorney is the best way to figure out what expenses are associated with your injuries – hammering out a deal by yourself with the dog owner may not protect all of your legal rights and may leave you shortchanged. Because we've handled so many dog bite cases, we know what material to gather to document what your future expenses will likely be and take into consideration factors like missed time from work.

We know that the idea of working with an attorney can be intimidating, and dealing directly with the dog's owner may seem "easier". But in reality, what's easier and what gives you the most protection is leaving all of the legal hassles to an attorney who has decades of experience under their belt. Here's just some of what we do for you:

  • We take care of paperwork.
  • We keep track of deadlines.
  • We deal with the insurance company.
  • We get proper documentation from your doctor.
  • We hire necessary experts.
  • We collect evidence.
  • We protect your legal rights.
  • And more

That means you can focus on your health and recovery. Leave everything else to us.

Our Dog Bite Legal Consultations Are Free

There's no fine print when we say that our legal consultations are free and come with no strings attached. It's simple:

1. You contact us.

2. We talk about your situation and whether or not you have a case.

3. If you have a case, you decide if you want to hire us.

That's all. You can reach us by phone at 412-394-1000 or you can fill out the form at the top right of the page. We're available 24/7, and if you do hire us, there's no fee unless and until we win your claim.