When a family member is attacked by a dog, the first step should be to seek medical care, and the second to hire a dog bite injury lawyer in Saint Paul. Dog bites should not be taken lightly. There’s a civic duty to report the dangerous animal, and there’s a financial duty to protect the family by hiring legal counsel. Below are several compelling reasons to hire an attorney after a dog bite.
Medical Bills
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), dogs inflict over four million injuries per year. Around 20% of these bites cause injuries that require medical attention, which can be anything from an ER visit to a reconstructive surgery. With almost 900,000 dog bites requiring medical care, families are often left with serious financial burdens, such as ambulance and medical bills, lab fees and expenses for ongoing physical and emotional therapy.
Lost Income
An injury lawyer can help a client recover income lost during the time after a dog bite. If a wage earner is attacked by a dog, the injuries may prevent them from returning to work. If an elderly family member or child is bitten, subsequent medical appointments may force the wage earner to miss work for days, weeks and even months. A dog bite injury lawyers in Saint Paul can help a client recover damages for the income they’ve lost because of the attack.
Insurance Payments
Insurance adjusters typically don’t offer adequate compensation for a dog bite victim’s trauma. However, an injury lawyer can serve as an intermediary between the client and the adjuster for the dog owner’s insurer, which can save a significant amount of frustration, time and inconvenience.
When a person or their family member suffers a dog attack, there’s a responsibility to ensure proper care, prompt action and a secure outcome. Hiring an injury lawyer can help a family protect their finances, rights and stability. If anyone has questions or concerns about a dog bite case, contact Rutzick Law Offices to schedule an appointment over the phone or online. Call or click today to find out how a dog bite attorney can help a victim get back to normal after an animal attack.
