If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Ohio, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses. But, to recover the financial compensation you deserve, you need to take action. Not only is it up to you to file a claim, but it is also up to you to prove how much you are entitled to recover. Keep reading to learn what you need to do—and what not to do—from an experienced Columbus dog bite lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm.

7 Important Steps to Take if You’ve Been Bitten By Someone Else’s Dog in Ohio

Are you dealing with injuries and costs from a dog bite in Ohio? If so, here are seven important steps you should take as soon as possible:

1. Prioritize Your Medical Treatment

Out of all of the steps you need to take, prioritizing your medical treatment is the most important. First and foremost, prioritizing your medical treatment will help ensure that the long-term effects of your dog bite are no greater than necessary. Seeking medical treatment promptly will help facilitate a successful recovery, and this will give you the best chance of resuming your normal life before the attack.
Prioritizing your medical treatment is important for protecting your legal rights as well. When you have a dog bite claim, your medical records (or lack thereof) can make (or break) your case. The sooner you see a doctor, the easier it will be to prove both the cause and extent of your injuries.

2. Write Down Everything You Remember

If you have a dog bite claim in Ohio, it is also important to write down everything you remember. Where did the attack happen? Where did the dog come from? What were you doing at the time of the attack? What did the dog’s owner, keeper or harborer say and do? These are all key details that your Columbus dog bite lawyer will need to know.

3. Keep Your Photos and Videos (and Keep Taking More)

If you were able to take any photos or videos at the location of the attack, you should be sure to keep these on your phone. You should also be sure to keep taking photos and videos throughout your recovery. Taking photos and videos is a good way to document your injuries and their effects—and your photos and videos could also serve as key evidence in your claim for just compensation.

4. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice

As you go through the recovery process, you should carefully follow your doctor’s advice. Take care of your wounds, and stay home from work to rest and recuperate if necessary. If you have a claim for your dog bite—and there is a good chance that you do—your Columbus dog bite lawyer will be able to help you seek compensation for your lost earnings as well as your other financial and non-financial losses.

This, of course, is subject to the caveat that you should seek a second opinion if you feel that one is necessary. Doctors can—and do—make mistakes; and, if you have received bad medical advice, it is important that you get the advice you need to protect your health long-term.

5. Start Keeping Track of Your Costs

From medical bills to wound care supplies and pain medications, the costs of a serious dog bite can start to add up quickly. You should do your best to keep track of these costs as you incur them. Keep copies of your bills and receipts; and, if possible, pay for purchases with a debit or credit card so that you have a complete record of the costs you have been forced to incur.

6. Start Keeping Track of Your Daily Pain Levels

Along with keeping track of your costs, you should also start keeping track of your daily pain levels. In Ohio, dog bite victims are entitled to just compensation for their pain and suffering. But, just like your out-of-pocket costs, you need to be able to prove your pain and suffering in order to recover the compensation you deserve. We recommend starting a journal (or taking notes on your phone) where you record your pain levels throughout the day and document any other non-financial consequences of your injuries from the attack.

7. Talk to a Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer

While you can try to handle your dog bite claim on your own, you can also hire a Columbus dog bite lawyer to represent you at no out-of-pocket cost. Practically speaking, hiring a lawyer is the only way to ensure that you are seeking the full compensation you deserve, and hiring an experienced lawyer will give you the best chance of obtaining a favorable settlement without going to court. Even taking your legal fees into account, if you have a sizable claim, you are likely to take home more with an experienced lawyer on your side.

What Not To Do After a Dog Bite in Ohio

So, that covers some of the most important steps to take if you’ve been bitten by a dog in Ohio. Now, what do you need to avoid doing in order to protect your legal rights? If you have a claim for a dog bite:

• You should not try to deal with the dog’s owner directly. Instead, you should pursue your claim through the owner’s (or harborer’s or keeper’s) insurance company.
• You should not post about the attack on social media. If you do, the insurance company may find a way to use your posts against you.
• You should not wait to take legal action. Even though you have up to two years to file your dog bite claim under Ohio law, there are several important reasons to take legal action right away.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Were you bitten by a dog in Ohio? If so, our lawyers can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with a Columbus dog bite lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm, call 888-444-7440 or contact us online today.