What Do I Do if I've Been Bitten by a Neighbor's Dog?

We see dogs everywhere. They make great pets and companions, and are always happy to see you, most of them at least. Sometimes pet owners don’t properly care for their animals, and when this happens, the animals can get stressed and aggressive. Maybe the dogs are caged too long during the day, maybe they aren’t given enough attention. Maybe, and this unfortunately happens, the dog is being abused and this is why the animal is aggressive. There are several dog-owner habits that can cause a dog to be aggressive, but there are also reasons that a dog will be naturally aggressive. If you were bit a neighbors dog, or a dog that got free from their leash or out of their yard, you may be wondering what options you have to get a recovery from the pet owner.

In this FAQ, we’re going to cover the options you have after you’ve been bitten by a dog. It’s important to remember that Missouri and Illinois do have laws covering dog bites, and that these laws can be used to guarantee you a recovery. If you have any questions about how dog bite cases work and you would rather speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case now, call or contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis now at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222.

What To Do if Neighbor’s Dog Bites You

Medical attention should be your top priority post-bite, regardless of how minor the injury seems. This is because dog bites can lead to infections, including rabies, which can be fatal if untreated. Therefore, ensure you get prompt medical care to help prevent further complications.

Additionally, seeking treatment right away will document the extent of your injuries, which will be necessary if you decide to pursue legal action later.

In Missouri, like many states, there’s a legal principle called the “duty to mitigate damages.” This means that after an injury, you must take reasonable steps to minimize the damage and avoid exacerbating the injury. Failure to seek treatment after a dog bite could be interpreted as a failure to mitigate injuries, which can affect your compensation in a personal injury case.

Dog Bite Claims and Treatment Gaps

Treatment gaps refer to periods when a patient does not seek or follow the prescribed treatment plan. Failure to seek medical assistance can be treated as a treatment gap, especially when you seek such treatment later after the incident.

Usually, the insurance provider of the at-fault party is looking for ways to avoid liability to safeguard their bottom line. A failure to seek prompt treatment or keep up with treatment after a dog bite could give them several arguments in your personal injury claim:

A significant gap between the injury and seeking medical treatment may lead the defense to argue that your injuries were not severe enough to warrant immediate attention.
Delayed treatment could allow the defense to argue that subsequent symptoms or complications arose from other events, not the neighbor’s dog bite.
The defense might assert that you failed in your duty to mitigate damages, which could reduce the compensation awarded.
Gaps in treatment could suggest that the injury wasn’t as impactful as claimed.

If you have a valid reason for not seeking treatment immediately, however, your dog bite attorney can try to counter these arguments to safeguard your right to claim. For example, they may table detailed reasons for the delays, such as the lack of nearby medical care facilities, to help uphold your credibility.

Do I Need Tetanus Shot for Dog Bite?

One key reason to seek immediate medical attention after a dog bite is the potential need for a tetanus shot. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, a tetanus shot may be required if you have not had one within the last 10 years. If you are unsure of your tetanus shot history, it is advisable to get one within 72 hours of the bite.

Tetanus is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can enter the body through puncture wounds such as dog bites. Without a recent tetanus shot, your immune system may not effectively combat the life-threatening infection exposure through a dog bite. The tetanus vaccine boosts your immunity against this deadly infection. Again, failure to get vaccinated after you’ve been bitten by a neighbor’s dog could be used against you in legal proceedings to argue that you exacerbated your own injuries.

What do I do legally after I’ve been bitten by a dog?

If you’ve tried to talk with the owner about your medical bills, and they aren’t willing to cooperate or pay their fair share, you’re going to have to take other legal steps to make sure they are held accountable. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to begin and protect your dog bite claim:

Get your Medical Records – The medical records concerning the dog bite are going to be clear evidence that you were indeed bitten, and that the owner acted negligently in some capacity. These records are going to show how much the bite cost you, as well as any rehabilitation you may need because of the bite/attack. These amounts can be pursued against the dog owner.
Detail how the bite/attack happened – Your version of the events is important, so make sure that you write down and detail exactly what happened. Forgetting a critical piece of information can jeopardize your case by moving more of the fault for the accident to you. If the dog got of their leash and bit you, this needs to be stated. If the dog escaped out of their yard and attacked you, this needs to be clarified. If you were invited over to the property and the dog attacked you without any provocation, this needs to be detailed.
Contact A Lawyer – With your medical records and your version of the events now detailed, you can start a personal injury claim. These claims can be hard to take on by yourself, so it’s always advised that you get competent legal counsel to pursue your claim. Most Personal Injury Lawyers won’t require a fee from you unless they win your claim, so it won’t cost anything to start your lawsuit(this includes our firm!).

If you would rather speak directly with our team about your dog bite case, please don’t hesitate to call us at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We’ve taken on these claims before and we know how to make sure that you get 100% of the care and financial recovery you are owed. Remember, you didn’t ask to be bitten by a dog and you shouldn’t have to beg to get the care you deserve. You can get a recovery for your dog bite and the dog owner can be held liable for their actions.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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