Why Documentation Matters
Dog bite claims involve liability, medical costs, and sometimes homeowner's insurance. The owner will likely deny their dog is dangerous. Without documented evidence of the injury, the animal, and the circumstances, your claim is significantly weaker.
What to Document Immediately
✓Your injuries: photos from multiple angles, close-ups, and wide shots showing location on body
✓The dog: breed, size, color, any identifying features, photos if safely possible
✓The location: where the bite occurred, conditions, signage (like "Beware of Dog")
✓The owner: name, address, contact info
✓Witnesses: anyone who saw the incident
✓Your clothing: torn or bloodstained clothing is evidence
✓Medical treatment: document emergency room visits, prescriptions, follow-up care
Document Healing Over Time
Don't stop after day one. Photograph your injuries every day as they heal, or don't heal. Scarring, infection, and slow recovery all matter for your claim. Certify each photo so it has an independent timestamp.
For the Legal Claim
Your attorney needs: timestamped photos of injuries from day of incident, healing progression photos, medical records and bills, documentation of the dog and location, witness information, and any prior complaints about the animal.
