How to Document Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries, and especially scarring, change as they heal, so documenting them over time protects your claim. Here is how.
Get prompt care and follow through
See a doctor right away and attend every follow-up. Keep records of wound care, antibiotics, and any rabies treatment.
Photograph the injuries over time
Take dated photos from the day of the bite through healing. Scarring evolves, and a visual record over weeks and months shows its true extent.
Keep every record and bill
Save discharge papers, imaging, prescriptions, and bills, and note any referral for scar revision or plastic surgery.
Track the emotional impact
Note fear, nightmares, and avoidance — especially for a child — and any counseling. Emotional trauma is part of a dog bite claim.
Track missed work and activities
Record time missed from work or school and things you or your child could not do. These losses are part of the claim.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to dog bites.
Keep going
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.