Dog bites are unfortunately common in the United States: over 350,000 people visit the emergency room every year due to dog bites. What's also alarming is that only around 16,000 of reported dog bites cases receive compensation from homeowners insurance or other kinds of insurance. If you have been bitten by your neighbor's dog and need medical care, whether you were lucky enough to receive only stitches or you are facing reconstructive surgery, you may need to fight to get the money you need. In addition to medical care, you may need therapy to overcome the trauma of the dog bite. Additionally, you may need to take legal action to ensure that the dog who bit you is unable to do so again. What you need to do is hire a personal injury lawyer to help you in many legalities that revolve around a dog bite, no matter how simple the situation may be. Here are just some of the things an attorney can help you with.

Financial compensation

Your dog bite injury can mean lost work due to being in the hospital and therapy to emotionally and mentally get over your injury. Furthermore, you may need future medical care, such as surgery to repair the bite site, or physical therapy. Your personal injury attorney can fight for you, directly addressing the owner of the dog and their renters or homeowners insurance agency to get you the funds you deserve.

Legal action

Every state has different laws regarding dogs and aggression. Your lawyer will make sure the issue is properly addressed to the strictest laws in your area. These laws can include:

• a requirement that the dog be restrained or muzzled when outdoors
• proper fencing or kenneling guidelines
• euthanasia if the dog is a repeat offender

If the owner of the dog is harassing you or refusing to assist you with medical bills or other financial compensation, your attorney can help you record and report any incidences in which you feel threatened and can even assist you in a civil case against the dog owner for their behavior.

After your case is closed and you've received the compensation you deserve, you will still want to keep records of any future interactions you have with the dog's owner and the dog. If the dog's owner fails to restrain their dog as required by law or you feel you are still in danger, talk to your lawyer to see what more you can do to keep you and your family safe. Check out websites like http://leifericksonlawoffice.com to learn more about your legal options.