Introduction
While it most of these situations it may seem crystal clear that a doctor is required to notify law enforcement, there may be some that you may not have really thought of before. One such instance is related to animal-related injuries that may make you wonder which doctors are required to report dog bites. While they are not required to inform law enforcement about this kind of incident, they have to notify the local animal control agency if a patient comes in with a dog bite.
The doctor sends in a form with all relevant information that he or she has related to the incident so that animal control can determine whether further investigation is warranted. The concern of local officials is that there may be a dog that poses a hazard to the community. Therefore, it is required by law that doctors notify them of incidences that occur so that they can follow up.
While nothing may come of this, it is still important for the county or city to have a record of this in case future occurrences take place. The concern is that if there is no record of a dog biting someone, then there could be numerous occurrences where this animal has bitten someone and no one would know that. That poses a huge risk to the community, which is why providing such documentation is essential.
You should also know that some doctors are a little more liberal in their understanding of this law. If your child is bitten while playing with your dog and it is clearly just horseplay that led to your child being bitten, this is not an incident where there is clearly a need to be concerned about your pet. Accidents happen as part of everyday living with an animal inside your home and if this is the case, your doctor is not going to show a great deal of concern about the harmless incident.
Why Doctors Report Dog Bites to Animal Control
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is much to your advantage to ensure that the physician has filled out this form and sent it in. This is especially true if the injury you have incurred is a rather severe one. The likelihood is that you are going to be paying some exorbitant medical bills and may even have a loss of income if this injury results in you needing time off from work.
You may have to go to court to receive the compensation you need, which is why it is important that you have documentation that shows exactly what had occurred. In addition, by them turning in this form, it may be discovered that this dog has had more than one incident that has been reported. This would really help your case, if you are in need of seeking compensation. So having the documentation provided really strengthens your ability to be able to be compensated.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
If you are involved in an incident where a dog has bitten you, it makes sense for you to hire an attorney to assist you with the proceedings that are likely to occur. If you have been bitten by the dog, an attorney can ensure that you and everyone else involved are following the proper procedures.
You may know that doctors are required to report dog bites, but your doctor may decide to skip a step, which is why it is imperative that you have a dog bite attorney to help ensure that all the steps are being taken properly. You want to make sure that you are looking out for your interests, and having an attorney can help you no matter which side of the case you are on.
Call our Personal Injury team at (480) 467-4392 to discuss your case today.