Many dog bite injuries start as something you can manage at first—until swelling, infection risk, or deeper tissue damage shows up days later. In Alabama, insurers often look closely at the timeline: when you were bitten, when you got treatment, and how the medical records describe the wound.
If you delayed care or only received limited treatment, the defense may argue the injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the bite. That’s why early documentation matters.
What to do after a bite:
- Get medical care promptly (especially for bites to the hand, face, or any puncture wounds).
- Keep every record you receive—ER paperwork, discharge instructions, prescriptions, and follow-up notes.
- Take photos if a provider allows it and keep them with your medical documents.


