Dealing with Dog Bites in Will County
Will County is very friendly towards dogs, and the Forest Preserve District of Will County has six dog parks in the county. As much fun as people can have with their dogs, there are cases in which dogs can defy expectations, act aggressively, and bite innocent people.
Dog bites can be incredibly frightening for people to deal with, and it can be very confusing for victims to know how to recover financial compensation for their medical bills and other costs stemming from dog bites. Even if it is difficult, it is important to take certain steps to protect your legal rights following any dog bite.
Proper Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
When you are bitten by a dog, you will need to first focus on your own medical care. Do not hesitate to visit a hospital so you can be confident that you are getting any wound properly treated. In general, try to wash your wound, slow the bleeding with a clean cloth, wrap the wound, and be mindful of signs of infection.
Your next step needs to be to identify the dog’s owner. In many cases, people know the owners of dogs well, and this can make it easier to ask for proof of rabies vaccination. When this information is not known, you could be forced to pay for a rabies shot that may cost thousands of dollars.
The Will County website states that people should also call their local police department and Will County Animal Control after dog bites. Victims should also photograph their injuries while they are at their worst and before they have time to heal.
After taking all of these steps, it is important to seek the help of an experienced dog bite attorney. They will know how to negotiate with a negligent party’s insurance company or, if necessary, file a lawsuit.
Call Us Today to Speak with a Will County Dog Bite Lawyer
Were you recently bitten by a dog anywhere in Will County? You will want to seek the help of a Joliet dog bite attorney at McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC so you can have the best chance of recovering any compensation you are entitled to.
Our firm knows how challenging it can be for people to deal with dog bite claims and we can take over all of the complex requirements so you can focus on your recovery. Feel free to call 815-727-0100 or contact us online so you can take advantage of a free consultation with our Joliet dog bite lawyer.
Sources:
https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Public-Health-and-Safety/Animal-Control/Biting-Animals
https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/activities/dog-exercising/