dog Archives - The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez, PLLC.

What Happens if you are Bitten by a Dog

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 17:41:46 +0000

Vicious or misbehaved dogs pose a risk to all Utah residents, especially children. A dog bite should be taken seriously. Often, children do not know how to approach dogs. Even children who are taught may forget and end up being threatened by the dog. Aggressive dogs will often chase children if they are outside of their fenced yard. If a dog has bitten you or your child, it’s important to know the dog bite laws for Utah. Here are some steps you can take after a dog bite in Utah.

Report to Police

The first thing you should do is report the dog bite incident to the police. The police officer will decide whether to call animal control and if there was a crime committed.

Clean

Clean the bite wound immediately, first with soap and water, then alcohol, and after, apply antibiotic cream and bandage. If the wound is more serious, apply pressure with a clean cloth and call for immediate medical attention.

Exam

Make an appointment with a doctor to test if your skin was broken. You should also visit the doctor should you experience a fever or if the wound is swelling.

Document

Archive all information regarding the dog bite incident. Be sure to ask for the dog owner’s information as well as the dog’s rabies vaccination papers. Be as thorough as writing down the veterinarian’s name that administered the rabies vaccination to the dog and which veterinary they work for.

Dog Bite Statute in Utah

The Utah dog bite statute can be found under the Utah Code § 18-1-1 and places liability on the dog’s owner for any injuries caused by the owner’s dog.

Hire a Utah Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Dog bites can be quite severe. Going from a normal daily routine to dealing with an injury that could have a serious impact on one’s health can be quite overwhelming. There’s no reason you should feel that you should figure this one out yourself. Seek help by calling one of our experienced West Valley dog bite attorneys to handle your case. We can fight on your behalf in order to get the compensation you deserve. All the while, you focus on getting the medical attention you need so you can make a quick recovery and return to your normal daily life.

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Why Children are the Most Likely Dog Bite Victims

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 21:10:13 +0000

There are around 350,000 to 400,000 emergency room visits each year due to dog bite-related injuries. Of all the victims of a dog attack, children are the most likely recipients to be involved. Psychologists and veterinarians from various institutions have performed studies and research to determine what makes canines snap and attack. We hope that by reading this article, parents can be more aware of the warning signs that a dog is about to bite. There are specific things that children may unknowingly do that makes them more likely to be bitten by a dog.

Why children get bitten by dogs

Children are less likely to understand the warning signs dogs show before they strike. Case statistics show that children under the age of 15 make up over 60 percent of all dog bite victims. The largest age group being between the ages of 5 to 9. Dogs bite for various reasons ranging from being too excited, a hunting instinct, or because they are fearful or territorial. In most cases, a dog will provide some warning signs before it attacks. This includes baring their teeth, growling, becoming tense, and putting themselves in a post reach to leap and strike.

Many young children do not understand when they may be in danger. Kids will often try to exert too much control over what a dog does and where it goes. This leads to a child pulling or pushing a dog into various areas, grabbing a dog’s hair or legs in an attempt to have the animal submit to their will. Children do not understand how strong an animal can be and will overestimate the actual control over the dog. For example, one-third of children report that they believe the dog obeys them more than anyone else in the family.

There is a variety of reasons why children get bitten the most. Another reason to consider is that kids are less likely to understand when they are accidentally hurting a dog. This sudden reaction to pain to be the final straw that pushes a dog over the edge and bites someone. It is up to parents and dog owners to ensure that all safety precautions are taken when children and animals are in the same space. Unfortunately, even the most trusted dog can act out of character and attack someone. This is especially true if they are not used to children and the unique challenges they can bring. If you or someone you love has suffered from a dog bite in Utah, you have legal options. Consider calling The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez today to speak with a legal professional.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.

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What to Do After a Utah Dog Bite

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 17:23:49 +0000

Looking at most dog bite cases

As injury attorneys, one of the most difficult cases for us to handle is dog bite cases. If you or a loved one has ever been injured in a dog bite attack, then you know how emotionally draining and frightening they can be. This is large since the most likely victims of a canine attack are young children. These tragic cases often make local news headlines because the results can be shocking. As unfortunate as a dog bite case is, they are an important reminder that anything can happen when animals are involved.

Many Utahans have pets of their own, and a large part of the population loves dogs. After all, they are known as man’s best friend for a reason. However, even the friendliest family dog can be unpredictable and can cause some severe injuries. This is especially true when the dog is put in a situation that they are generally not used to. For example, if young children are visiting or have wandered into their yard. There are many reasons that children are the most likely victims of dog bites. We will cover this topic in greater detail in the future, but here are some key elements.

Why children are likely victims

Children often look like smaller prey. They usually run and will enact a chase instinct in the dog.
Children are more likely to stress an animal out by imposing on their personal space. This includes bringing their face right up to the dogs and pulling the animal’s hair or tail.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Because these injuries are relatively common, we want to discuss the critical steps that should be taken if you or a loved one is ever involved in a dog bite situation. After years of experience, our Utah dog bite lawyers have a few items to remember should this unfortunate situation ever happen.

What to do after a dog bite incident

The first and most important item is to get immediate medical attention either at a doctor’s office, hospital emergency, or urgent care clinic. Depending on the severity of the wounds, they can be initially treated at your home. In other cases, 911 should be called to address the injuries and transport of the injured person. Prompt medical attention will help limit the effects the injuries have on the body and prevent infection.
You should report the attack to the police or the animal control agency in your city or county. Ensure that you tell the authorities anything you know about the dog, including the name and address of the dog’s owner. Often enough, the dog will be quarantined until deemed safe for the public by the agency.
Document your injury through photographs immediately after the bite and throughout the healing process.
Contact an experienced dog bite attorney before your statute of limitations to see if you are entitled to a settlement. Even if the dog owner’s insurance attempts to contact you directly, the adjuster will try to pay you out to get you to sign away legal rights to file a claim against them. Don’t make the mistake of signing anything until you have had a personal injury consultation with a trusted law firm.

Disclaimer

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