Bitten by a dog, now what?
The neighbor’s dog that is startled and bites you in the hand or a dog in the park that comes running towards you and bites you. If you are bitten by a dog, this is always a serious injury. A personal injury lawyer (Dutch: letselschade advocaat) can help you with this, such as a personal injury lawyer in Amsterdam (Dutch: letselschade advocaat Amsterdam) if you are bitten there in the park.
On this page you can read what to do after a dog bite, but also who can be held liable for personal injury caused by a dog bite.
Consequences of a dog bite
A dog bite is very dangerous. Dogs carry a bacteria that can make you very sick. This bacterium is the Clostridium tetani. A bacteria that often occurs in dirt, but can also be transmitted by a bite from a dog. If you are bitten by a dog that carries this bacteria, you will become ill within 3 days to 3 weeks.
One of the symptoms of the Clostridium tetani bacteria is muscle cramps. These are so severe that you need to be hospitalized. You can even die from an infection with Clostridium tetani. That is why direct contact with a doctor is also vital. He can give you an injection if necessary, a tetanus shot. This injection should be given immediately after the dog bite.
Other consequences of a dog bite
A dog bite can not only lead to an infection with Clostridium tetani. You can also have other and even serious and permanent injuries from a dog bite. Common injuries after a dog bite include:
- Deep bite wounds
- Muscle damage
- Nerve pain with even failure as a result
- Amputation of fingers or a hand
- Unsightly scars
Who is liable for damage caused by a dog bite?
In the Netherlands, but also in many other European countries, liability for a dog bite is included in the law. In the Netherlands this is included in the Civil Code (BW). This states that the owner of an animal is liable for the damage that the animal causes to property and persons. It is therefore the dog owner who is liable for the injury suffered by the victim.
Unfortunately, there is often no compulsory insurance for pet owners. This is the case, for example, with traffic accidents. There, all motor vehicles such as cars and scooters are compulsorily insured. If you have been bitten by a dog, you will therefore have to hold the dog owner liable and hope that this person has insurance that covers the damage caused by a dog bite. In most cases it is not possible to get much from a private individual.
What injuries are covered?
Have you suffered an injury from a dog bite? Then all damage must be compensated. First of all, this concerns all costs you incur, such as medical costs, travel costs and costs for household help, because you are temporarily unable to do this yourself due to your injury. But you can also incur wage damage due to the injury or delay in your studies. All these damage items are also eligible for compensation.
Also read: A Guide For Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Las Vegas