How to Keep an Injury Journal After a Dog Bite
Much of what a dog attack costs — pain, fear, and disruption — is invisible on a bill. A short daily journal captures it, and the detail is far more convincing later.
Record pain and symptoms daily
Note the wounds, any signs of infection, and how the pain changes. Consistency over time matters more than length.
Track the emotional impact
Write down fear, nightmares, and avoidance — especially for a child — and how it affects daily life.
Log treatment
Appointments, wound care, medications, and any counseling or scar treatment, and how they affected you.
Track missed work and activities
Record time missed from work or school and the routines and activities that were disrupted.
Keep it honest and consistent
Do not exaggerate. A steady, truthful record is credible; gaps and overstatement are not.
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.
Not sure where you stand?
A quick, confidential review can tell you — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.