How serious is the bite?
No wound care is needed when teeth did not touch the skin.
Level 1 Call about the bite claim(844) 703-3920Care and claim details
A bite that breaks the skin needs medical review. Keep the medical papers for your claim in your state.
Dog bite treatmentWash the area and watch for infection.
Level 2 Call about the bite claim(844) 703-3920Care and claim details
A bite that breaks the skin needs medical review. Keep the medical papers for your claim in your state.
Dog bite treatmentWash the bite gently with soap and warm water, then cover it with a clean bandage. Seek medical care within 24 hours. Get urgent care now for bites to the face, neck, hands or feet. Also get urgent care for deep wounds or bleeding that will not stop. The 24-hour guidance is not a reason to delay care.
Level 3 Call about the bite claim(844) 703-3920Care and claim details
A bite that breaks the skin needs medical review. Keep the medical papers for your claim in your state.
Dog bite treatmentGet urgent care or emergency care today.
Level 4 Call about the bite claim(844) 703-3920Care and claim details
A bite that breaks the skin needs medical review. Keep the medical papers for your claim in your state.
Dog bite treatmentGet emergency care now. Heavy bleeding needs emergency help.
Level 5 Call about the bite claim(844) 703-3920Care and claim details
A bite that breaks the skin needs medical review. Keep the medical papers for your claim in your state.
Dog bite treatmentWho pays in your state?
The bite, the owner and the insurance policy determine your claim.
Your state sets the deadline Call about my state law(844) 703-3920Claim details
This is the planning limit for an ordinary adult claim against a private owner. Children's claims and claims against public owners need a separate timing review. It is not an automatic personal last date.
Your state's dog bite lawOhio Rev. Code 2305.07All state rules
The six dog bite levels
The levels come from the Dunbar dog bite scale. Levels 1 and 2 make up well over 99% of dog incidents. A bite with punctures is uncommon.
Levels 3 to 5 break the skin. MedlinePlus says to see a provider within 24 hours for these bites, and sooner for levels 4 and 5.
- Level 1: No wound care needed.
- Level 2: Wash it. Watch it for signs of infection.
- Level 3: This is the first level with punctures. Wash it and see a provider within 24 hours. Go now for a bite on the face, neck, hands or feet. Also go now for a deep wound or bleeding that will not stop.
- Level 4: Get to urgent care or the ER today.
- Level 5: Go to the ER now. Call 911 for heavy bleeding.
- Level 6: A fatal attack.
The 24 hours are an outer limit, counted from the bite. A bite at noon on Monday needs a provider visit by noon on Tuesday. Going sooner is better, and the exceptions above mean go now.
When to go to the ER
Go right away for a deep wound. Also go right away for a bite on the face, neck, hands or feet. Hand bites get infected more often.
Visible muscle or bone also means go now. So does bleeding that will not stop.
Swelling, redness or pus in the days after the bite also need a visit. Read more about dog bite infection and dog bite treatment.
Get emergency care first. Call us once you are safe.
If it was someone else's dog
A level 3 or higher bite means bills. A homeowners or renters policy often pays them. See does homeowners insurance cover dog bites.
Whether the owner has to pay depends on your state law. Some states hold owners strictly liable, and others follow a one-bite rule. Check dog bite laws by state.
Call (844) 703-3920 with your bite level. A dog bite attorney will tell you what your bite may be worth and who should pay for it.