As a New Jersey resident who has recently suffered from an animal attack that resulted in bite injuries, you are likely scrambling to act quickly in the aftermath. Lieberman, Ryan & Forrest, L.L.C., is here to help walk you through what should be done next.
Depending on the animal that you were bitten by, you will most likely want to seek immediate medical attention. Bite wounds can be deep and may become infected easily if not tended to properly. Additionally, some animals have a chance of being rabid. For example, stray dogs likely haven’t had any shots to protect them from viruses, bacteria or illness that can be passed on to humans.
If you hold off on seeking medical treatment, not only could you face the possibility of infection, but you can also worsen your chances of scarring. Depending on the severity of the attack, you may develop scar tissue regardless. However, proper treatment like stitching the wounds shut can keep these scars minimized.
Finally, you should move quickly to seek compensation. Many states have a limitation on the amount of time you can wait between an incident and legally pursuing damages. You will also want to find out whether or not the owner is liable for the incident, if the dog has an owner.
Seeking the aid of an attorney after a bite injury may therefore be a good move for you to consider. You can also visit our link here, leading to a page about animal bites and seeking damages afterward.