May 9, 2025 | Personal Injury
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A DOG-BITE INJURY?
Dog bites can cause devastating injuries—especially if the DOG is large, untrained, and/or especially aggressive. According to an abstract released by the American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”):
- An estimated 4.5 million individuals are bitten by dogs each year, many of whom suffer injuries.
- Nearly 350,000 people are admitted into an emergency room each year for dog bite injuries, and another 446,000 are seen in “other medical settings” (e.g., primary care offices);
- Almost half of all dog bite victims are children under the age of 12, and
- Up to 20% of persons killed by dog bites are over 70 years old.
Given these statistics, it is crucial that bite victims know what to do to protect their health, safety, and rights in the aftermath of a potentially traumatic event. For folks in and around Oklahoma, here are five tips—many of which may seem like “common sense”—that the attorneys at McGuire Law Firm know will help preserve your right and ability to recover for your injuries and otherwise seek justice:
Step #1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Any Injuries
As should be obvious, dog bite injuries—even seemingly minor ones—should not be taken lightly. Any time an animal punctures a person’s skin, it has the potential to cause a very serious injury—from long-term scarring and disfigurement to devastating infection. Accordingly, if you or your loved one are injured by a dog bite, the first step should be obvious: seek and obtain the medical attention demanded by the circumstances.
One risk of failing to seek proper and immediate medical attention (e.g., for a puncture wound) is infection. Contrary to the popular myth that a dog’s mouth is “clean,” there is a real risk of an infection whenever a dog bite causes an open wound. Indeed, even if the injury seems minor, it is still crucial to seek immediate medical care to prevent any one of the many potential infections obtainable from a dog bite injury, immediately and properly clean any wounds, and assess the need for care by a medical professional.
Dog bite injuries can also cause nerve damage, and the consequences flowing with the same, which oftentimes requires immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Step #2: Document What Happens, As It Happens
Evidence is the key to any successful personal injury claim in Lawton (and beyond)—and a dog-bite claims are no exception. In the aftermath of a dog bite, it can be difficult to focus on gathering evidence, collecting documents, etc., but doing so is no doubt helpful, and may even prove critical, to proving your case to a jury.
After a dog bite injury, it is important to—as soon as possible—write down as complete of a recollection as you have of the events preceding and immediately following your injury. Include everything you believe may be important, and do not leave out small details that come to mind. Even after you do this, it is generally a good idea to keep track of the 4 W’s—the who, what, when, and where—preceding and following any dog bite injury:
- WHO was there when you were injured (witnesses), and who is responsible for the dog that injured you?
- WHAT did you see, hear, and what do you otherwise remember about the circumstances preceding and following your injury?
- WHEN did the injury occur (a specific time or when, based on your perception of your surroundings)?
- WHERE did the injury occur?
Step #3: Notify the Dog Owner of your injury
As soon as possible after a dog-bite injury, you should notify the dog’s owner (or whom you know to have possessed the dog). If the attack happened on private property, you should also notify the property owner (assuming that is different than who owns/possesses the dog) about what occurred. To be clear, this is not about starting a confrontation or immediately assigning blame, no matter how high emotions are running.
The purpose of this notice is to establish a record that the incident happened, request that any relevant evidence be preserved, and get the ball rolling as to any potential compensation for your injuries. You should be calm, factual, and polite—remember, a jury may see or hear about any interactions with potential defendants.
Step #4: GATHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION
Once you have determined that legal assistance may be necessary, it can be helpful to gather the following documents and information if you already have the same in your possession or it is relatively easy for you to obtain the same:
- copies of any police report(s) completed after your injury;
- medical records and bills relating to your treatment;
- photos, videos, or other recordings of your injuries and/or any treatment received;
- evidence of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred (e.g., receipts);
- evidence of lost wages or income as a result of your injury;
- where applicable, copies of any relevant lease or HOA agreement(s) relating to the property on which you were injured; and
- contact information for witnesses to the incident.
While ultimately any legal counsel retained may also obtain this information from its original source (e.g., medical records from medical providers, reports from relevant law enforcement agencies, etc.), having this information will assist any attorney considering your case and otherwise aid in your quest for recovery.
STEP #5: Consult With a Lawton Dog-Bite injury Attorney
Like many legal claims, dog bite claims are dauntingly complex—and navigating the legal process is something attorneys are uniquely trained and suited to do. As such, you do not have to take on the process of justice and recovery alone; professional guidance and support can make a big difference.
At McGuire Law Firm, our attorneys are uniquely trained and experienced in handling personal injury claims of all stripes, including dog-bite-related claims. Kent, Linda, and Wyatt are standing by, ready to fight to protect your legal rights and your financial interests.
If you have any questions or concerns about dog bite injuries, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. We represent dog bite victims in Lawton, OK, and beyond—throughout the state of Oklahoma.