What Should I Do if I Was Bitten by a Golden Retriever?

If you were bitten by a golden retriever, treat the injury right away and seek professional medical care immediately. Dog bites can cause health problems that worsen if they go untreated. You should also get the name, address, phone number, and other contact details of the dog’s owner or witnesses who saw the dog bite or attack. 

Contact a lawyer soon after a canine bite incident, as it can become harder to find witnesses or collect evidence as time passes. Even if you don’t have or can’t get this contact information, our Austin dog bite lawyer can help recover your damages and gather key evidence for your potential case. You shouldn’t shoulder the financial burden for an injury you did not cause.  

What Should You Do After a Golden Retriever Bites You?

After suffering a dog bite injury from a golden retriever, you must:

Clean the Dog Bite Wound Immediately

You can wash the wound with soap and warm water to remove saliva and bacteria that can cause infection. You can also apply an antiseptic solution or cream to the bite and cover it with a clean bandage. You should then get help at an urgent care center, emergency room, or a doctor’s office as soon as you can.

Get Prompt Medical Attention

Dog bite wounds require immediate medical care. No matter how small your injury appears, you should have a medical professional look at it. Dog bites can cause internal damage the eye can’t see, including nerve and muscle damage. 

Additionally, if you don’t know the dog’s vaccination status, you must guard against any risk of contracting rabies. This virus is deadly, so you must treat it promptly.

Document the Bite Incident on Paper

If a golden retriever bit you, report it to the proper authorities as soon as possible. You can contact your local police department or animal control authority so they can document the incident with an official report. 

Make sure the report includes key information, including:

• The dog’s identity and name
• The owner’s contact information
• Witness statements
• The severity of the wound
• Possible reasons for the attack

You also must know if the law requires you to report the dog bite to authorities in your city, county, or state. Failing to report such incidents could result in criminal or civil penalties. You can take photos and video footage to have visual proof of the damage the injury caused.

How Can Our Golden Retriever Dog Bite Lawyer Help You?

Recovering from a golden retriever’s bite can be a painful and emotional experience. These dogs, although loved for their gentle nature, adaptability, and friendliness, can bite without warning. 

If you or a loved one is deciding the next steps to take after a bite incident, you can meet with our law firm. We handle dog bite cases stemming from another’s negligence and can talk with you about filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. While you focus on healing, we can:

Offer Legal Guidance 

Before you can hold the dog owner liable for your damages, you must know what your state’s dog bite laws are. Some jurisdictions follow a strict liability rule, which holds the animal’s owner responsible, while others have a “one bite” rule. Our attorney can advise you how the law applies to your case and outline the options you have for recovery.

Investigate the Incident and Collect Evidence 

Our lawyer can investigate and collect evidence to prove your compensatory damages. This evidence can include medical records, witness statements, and photos and video footage. It could also include a history of the golden retriever’s previous interactions.

Review Your Damages 

Determining the full extent of your losses goes beyond your current bills. We will consider how a dog bite could affect you in the long-term, such as whether you will need future medical treatments, counseling or therapy for trauma, lost income, and pain and suffering. We will seek financial awards that also cover your future needs.

Lead Settlement Talks With the Insurance Company 

Insurers often seek to lower payments to save money. Our lawyers will address tactics like these and negotiate for the proper compensation. We will protect your rights and ensure you receive fair consideration.

Provide Case Management 

When people suffer injuries, their focus is on healing, not deadlines. Still, dog bite injury cases have a filing deadline, and if you miss it, you risk losing your opportunity to sue. Our dog bite injury lawyers can tell you how long you have to file your personal injury case and ensure it makes the deadline, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Offer Support and Advocacy 

Our golden retriever dog bite lawyers know that your needs come first, and those needs include having the emotional support to see your case through. We care about your recovery and will advocate for you inside and outside the courtroom. 

Determining Who’s Responsible for Your Dog Bite Injury

Generally, the golden retriever’s owner is the first person we can seek financial recovery from. Dog owners’ legal responsibilities can change according to where they live, but they assume certain general obligations when caring for a pet. These include taking on financial responsibility if their animal harms someone.

Dog owners, however, are not the only parties you could blame for a dog bite. Other liable parties in a dangerous bite incident with a golden retriever include the following:

• Property owners: Landlords or property owners could be responsible for dog bite injuries if the incident occurred on their property. 
• Dog keepers or handlers: Individuals responsible for the dog’s care or control at the time of the bite may be liable. This includes dog walkers, pet sitters, and kennel workers.
• Parents of minors: If the golden retriever’s owner is a minor, the minor’s parents may be held liable for injuries caused by the dog, depending on local laws and the incident.
• Employers: If a dog bite occurs while the animal’s owner (or the person responsible for the dog) is working, the employer may be liable. This is more common in cases where the employee’s job involves bringing a canine onto other people’s property, such as pet sitters, dog walkers, or security personnel with guard dogs.
• Animal shelters and rescue organizations: If an organization allows people to adopt a golden retriever with a known history of aggression, but fails to disclose this information, it could be liable if the dog later bites someone.

Call Zinda Law Group if You Were Bitten by a Golden Retriever

If you are recovering from bite injuries after an aggressive encounter with a golden retriever, the personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group can advise you on your next steps. Our legal professionals will work hard to recover the financial compensation that protects your future.We will not hesitate to fight for your award in court if necessary. You can read personal injury lawyer reviews that share what it’s like to work with us. Call us today for a free consultation.