Utah Dog Bite Attorney & Animal Attack Injury Lawyers

William R. Rawlings & Associates’ dog bite attorneys in Utah are fond of various animals, especially dogs. While dogs display love and affection to people, they are also capable of causing harm to individuals, especially those who are strangers to them. We are fully aware that a person faces many problems after a dog bite. Often, the individual bitten by the dog doesn’t know where to start. Fortunately, we’re here to lend a helping hand to dog bite victims. When you come to us for assistance, we make sure to arrange the required medical treatment, physical therapy, plastic surgeon evaluations as well as psychological consultations. We help you get the required medical treatment you need even if you do not have medical insurance. We have doctors that will treat you on a lien and will get paid at the time your case settles. There are no out of pocket expenses for you. You can put your trust in our law firm, as our record of success allows us to provide these services to you. Additionally, we’re confident that you’ll get the reimbursement you deserve from the injuries caused by the bite.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Regardless of the size and age of the dog, it’s important to know that any dog can bite. Even the sweetest, fuzziest, and cuddliest canine can bite. Some of the reasons that can get a dog to bite an individual include:

• Sickness – A dog may bite if he/she is not feeling well. Medical issues may decrease a canine’s threshold for reactivity, which results in a higher chance of attacking individuals.
• Miscommunication – Dogs and people do not speak the same language. This disconnect sometimes results in interactions that individuals consider as friendly, but are actually threatening to dogs.
• Inadequate or Improper Training – When an attack happens, it could be due to improper (or the lack of) supervision or training by the dog owner.

Most dog owners understand the responsibilities they assume when owning a dog or taking it out in public, but despite the owner’s best intentions, getting bit by a dog is an everyday possibility faced by many Utah residents. Even the most well behaved canine can lash out if its scared, cornered, or injured. Accidents can happen and the perception that the bite was out of the dog owner’s control could be part of the reason why only around 1 in 5 dog bites are reported to authorities. Ultimately however, the dog is the responsibility of the owner.

What To Do if You're Bitten by a Dog

The first thing to do if bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention. Even if the dog’s teeth or claws did not break the skin, other injuries can be sustained like bruises to both bone or both bone and muscle, or even a sprain in an attempt to fight off the animal. Seeing a medical professional is obviously important for health reasons, but it also helps strengthen your case should legal action be taken. If the skin is broken, dog teeth will often cause a puncture wound. WebMD suggests placing a clean towel over the wound to stop any bleeding, keep the area elevated, and washing it with soap and water. Dog’s mouths can harbor a lot of bacteria, keeping the wound clean and sterile is of the utmost importance. Redness, swelling, warmth, or pus are all signs of infection, and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Certain pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or liver disease may be at a greater risk for disease. The American Red Cross warns against chasing down or trying to capture the dog that bit you; a captured dog will most likely become frightened and attempt to fight its way to freedom. If the dog is one you do not know, it is important to get tested for diseases like rabies. The best chance of surviving rabies is if a vaccine is administered before signs of illness are apparent.

Establishing Fault

After being attacked, exchange information with the dog’s owner if they are present and you are able to. Most circumstances that involve a dog attack will also include other witnesses, and it would be wise to collect their information as well, if they are willing to share it. Testimonials from other people who saw the attack help to serve as secondary accounts of what you, your attorney, will allege happened. The firm will use any information available to call witnesses as well as capture a police animal control report from the authorities if they’re involved to make sure the account of the attack is accurate. Accurate reports, accounts and testimony strengthen your case and increase your chance of getting a fair settlement. California is a strict liability state, however, the issue in dog bite cases is often proving ownership of the animal, locating the owner, confirming insurance information and the assets of the owner of the animal.

Call The Best Utah Dog Bite Attorney Today

William R. Rawlings & Associates will help you understand those rights. As your Utah Dog Bite Lawyers, here are some of the things you can expect from our firm:

• We can provide an immediate doctor's visit for your injuries regardless of insurance available
• We will get all medical bills paid
• We will get you reimbursement for time missed from work
• Obtain a consultation with a plastic surgeon for all permanent scars
• Consultation with a psychologist for any emotional issues that need to be resolved

William R. Rawlings & Associates has successfully represented hundreds of children and adults attacked by vicious dogs and domestic animals. We have medical specialists who are able to provide treatment and care without any upfront cost to you. If you have been injured in a dog bite or other animal attack and you need a dog bite lawyer, contact William R. Rawlings & Associates as soon as possible, so that we may begin the work necessary to obtain a fair recovery for you and your loved ones.