Your immediate priority is medical care. Seek treatment to address the wound and prevent infection, and get documentation of your injuries. Identify the dog and its owner, getting their contact and insurance information. Report the bite to local animal control; this creates an official record. Take photos of your injuries, the location, and the dog if safe. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Do not discuss fault or settlement with the owner’s insurance company before consulting with an attorney.

You must file within a deadline set by your state’s law, called a statute of limitations. This period typically starts from the date of your injury and is usually between two to three years, but it varies significantly. Missing this deadline will almost certainly bar your claim forever. Some complex cases involving long-term exposure may have different rules, making immediate legal consultation essential.

Policies always list what they don’t cover. Key exclusions to scrutinize include intentional acts, professional services (unless you have E&O insurance), contractual liability for certain agreements, pollution, employment practices, and cyber incidents. You must understand these gaps. If your business faces excluded risks, you need separate, specific policies to cover them. Never assume a general liability policy is all-encompassing.