What If I Was Bitten By A Labrador Retriever?

CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH A LABRADOR DOG BITE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY FOR FREE

Injuries resulting from dog bites can detrimentally impact a victim’s life. Dog bite victims may suffer from debilitating injuries and hefty medical bills as a result of the incident. Dog bite incidents involve a variety of laws that may vary depending on the specifics of the attack.  Thus, it is imperative that victims know what to do if they fall victim to an aggressive Labrador dog bite. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, call Zinda Law Group at  (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation with our Labrador dog bite personal injury attorneys.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Bitten by a Labrador Retriever?

Dog bites can happen for a variety of reasons and typically vary in severity as well.  When dealing with dog bites, there are many different treatments depending on the specifics of your injuries.  These injuries can range from superficial to even fatal wounds. If you sustain a superficial or puncture wound from a dog bite, it is important to clean the wound with running water and disinfectant immediately after the attack.  Afterward, medical experts recommend applying a topical antibiotic and covering the wound with a clean bandage. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to seek immediate medical attention, especially if you suspect that the animal may be rabid or carrying a disease.  Even if you believe your wounds to be minor, experts still recommend visiting a medical provider for a professional evaluation. If you are bitten by an unknown dog, the American Red Cross suggests that you do not try to stop, catch, or hold the animal.  Instead, you should contact Animal Control as soon as possible and call 911 so that you can obtain the appropriate vaccinations immediately after the incident. Read More: Dog Bite Treatments

How Often Do Labrador Dog Bites Happen?

Although dog bites do happen, recent studies indicate that they do not occur as often as public opinion indicates.  According to The Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs, a group comprised of primarily Colorado animal experts, very few dogs are actually involved in biting incidents.  Specifically, less than 1% of all dogs included in the group’s extensive study had been involved in even a single dog biting incident. Of the 2,060 dog bites recorded, Labrador Retrievers claimed the highest percentage and accounted for 13.3% of the reported dog bites.  Despite the breed’s substantial lead in the Coalition’s study, the group indicated that more research would need to be conducted before any determination as to which breed bites the most could be adequately made. Aside from biting incidents, the survey only found 13 mauling attacks. These maulings involved a wide variety of breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers.   Bans on specific breeds are relatively ineffective.  Effective enforcement based on the behavior of specific dogs may be the most efficient way to help keep the public safe from aggressive animals. Read More: Dog Bite Statistics

Are There Any Common Patterns Amongst Dog Bites?

Although dog bite incidents may appear unpredictable, most experts claim that many dog bites are preventable.  If prevention is impossible, knowing the patterns and causes of dog bites may help pinpoint liability in a subsequent lawsuit.  On the rare occasion that a dog does bite a human, data indicates that there are patterns that generally hold true, depending on the specifics of the situation. These patterns include:

1. Escaped Animals Attack More

Unsurprisingly, escaped dogs running loose are the most common circumstance that gives rise to a dog bite.  In these situations, animals usually exhibit fear and territorial behavior.  Consequently, these afraid animals are the most likely to act out aggressively and cause harm to approaching humans.  These aggressive actions commonly present themselves as self-defense.

2. Human Intervention May Be Dangerous

A high number of bites occur when a human attempts to intervene in a fight between two or more dogs. Although the intervening individual may not be the original target, threatened dogs may respond violently and injure the person, even if only by accident.

3. Labradors Are Territorial

Bites at the dog’s home typically occur when the dog is protecting their own property, food, or toys.  Many animal organizations report that violations of a dog’s personal space or property may result in aggressive behavior due to a canine’s territorial nature.

4. Prevention is Key

If an attack has yet to occur, there are several steps that individuals should take to avoid becoming the victim of a dog attack.  Specifically, people should avoid interacting, confronting, or antagonizing unfamiliar animals, especially without the permission of the owner.  Additionally, owners should avoid introducing aggressive animals to strangers or creating uncomfortable situations for their animals.

Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Labrador Retriever

1. Seek Medical Attention

If you are the victim of a dog bite, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the initial incident.  Even if you are experiencing no noticeable discomfort or pain, you should still visit a healthcare professional to avoid developing any subsequent injuries later on.  If left untreated, injuries that initially go unnoticed may become the root cause of a permanent disability.  Upon evaluation, your healthcare provider may create an official report detailing your specific injuries and the severity of your wounds.  If you later wish to pursue legal recourse for the incident, this report may be extremely important in understanding and establishing the basic standing of your claim.

2. Document the Incident

If you are involved in a Labrador dog bite attack, it is imperative that you report it to the appropriate authority.  If contacted, the local police will draft an official report of the incident that will likely include witness information, injury severity, and potential causes of the incident.  Proper documentation is imperative to succeeding in a legal claim.  Notably, some jurisdictions require that victims and/or owners report dog bites as a way of protecting the community at large from historically aggressive animals. Consequently, if you fail to report a dog bite incident in one of those jurisdictions, you may face criminal and/or civil penalties.

3. Consult a Dog Bite Lawyer

The laws surrounding dog bite liability vary by jurisdiction.  A Lab dog bite lawyer may be able to help you determine applicable laws, assess party liability, assist in evidence collection, and negotiate a fair settlement.  Thus, it may be beneficial to obtain a professional opinion and contact a dog bite lawyer for a consultation.

How Do I Know If I Have a Claim?

Every dog bite claim is different because the specifics of dog attacks can vary dramatically.  Although jurisdictions implement various statutes and policies for dog bite attacks, a dog bite lawyer may still be able to help you evaluate the merits of your claim. In many jurisdictions, dog owners are generally liable if their pets inflict even minor harm on an unsuspecting party.  Thus, in these instances, pet owners may be required to pay for medical bills, lost income, or any property damage related to the incident as a means of compensation for the injured party.  In other jurisdictions, the court may require a specific intent element.  In those jurisdictions, you must be able to prove that the pet’s owner knew of the pet’s aggressive behavior or that the animal had bitten someone before.  Thus, some factors that may qualify you to make a claim include:

• Severity of your injuries
• Animal’s aggressive behavior
• Owner’s failure to control the animal
• Owner’s blatant negligence
• Animal’s biting history
• Your factual innocence

The merits of your claim may vary drastically depending on what kind of jurisdiction the accident occurred in.  Claims involving dog bites require extensive legal analysis.  Therefore, retaining a dog bite injury attorney may help you analyze the applicable laws and statutes that are relevant in your case.

Zinda Law Group MAY Help You Handle Your Dog Bite Claim

Incidents involving Labrador dog bites can cause substantial disruption in an individual’s life.  If you are the victim of a dog attack and sustain injuries, you should contact a lawyer who handles dog bite injury cases as soon as possible.  A personal injury attorney may be able to help you seek legal recourse for any damages related to an incident and evaluate the specific facts of your claim. At Zinda Law Group, our dog bite attorneys have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you pursue the highest compensation possible. Our experienced dog bite injury attorneys help victims seek compensation for damages relating to injury and accident claims.  Zinda Law Group provides quality consultation about the best way to handle your case.  The sooner you contact our office, the higher the likelihood that we will be able to assist you in pursuing your claim. If you have been injured in a Labrador dog bite attack, call Zinda Law Group at  (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our experienced dog bite injury lawyers.  You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.  That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.