Dog Bite

Types Of Dog Bites

There are 3 categories of dog bites injuries:

1. Dog Bite – most common injury, generally handled in an emergency room, where the patient is treated and released.
2. Severe Dog Bite – Requires hospitalization. These are considered to be a serious public health and security concern.
3. Dog Mauling – This is a sustained attack, where the dog refuses to stop, intending to maim or kill. Trauma level medical care is required for survival.

Treatment For Dog Bites

Annually, there are over 800,000 dog bite victims in the United States. Of these, over 30,000 dog attack victims receive some form of reconstructive surgery each year. Dog bites are potentially deadly – in the United States 15-20 people die of dog attacks each year. All dog bites should have proper medical care, no matter how small.

One of the serious side effects of a dog attack is the potential for infections. Tissue damage underneath the skin, injuries to the bones, blood vessels, and muscles can also occur. Facial wounds are extremely common and tendons and nerves are frequently injured.

Right after a dog attack, clean the wound with basic soap and water. Use standard wound treatment care to avoid contamination and lessen the odds of bacteria spreading.

If the bite is life-threatening, contact 9-1-1.

Who Is Responsible For A Dog Bite Attack

Legal responsibility lays with the owner in cases of dog bite accidents. Dog owners are responsible to see that the pet and public are free from harm and avoid circumstances in which a dog might feel inclined to bite or attack. If their pet has caused injury to someone, the pet owner is legally responsible for the financial costs associated with the injuries.

What To Do After a Dog Bite Attack

There is the choice of suing the dog owner or presenting the case to their insurance company. An individual can choose to do one of the other; occasionally both, depending on the case. The best choice is to have an attorney settle the case outside of court.

Here is what can help in a dog bite case:

• Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it’s after office hours.
• Take pictures and/or video of all the injuries you sustained
• If the dog’s owner was present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the owner’s name and contact information
• Record any witness information
• Contact the dog’s veterinarian to check vaccination records.
• Keep accurate records of lost time and wages
• Keep accurate records of any expense you incur as a result of the injury (medical, chiropractic, etc.)

If you are a victim of a serious dog bite, it is important to be able to recreate the situation which led up to the dog bite attack. Your dog bite attorney will help you to establish the scenario which resulted in you being bitten by a dog. A settlement can cover costs that range from medical care to personal property which was destroyed, to being reimbursed for time missed from work.

In all serious dog bite matters, it is recommended that you seek professional legal assistance to protect your interests. Legal matters in a dog bite injury case can escalate quickly. Avoid complicated litigation and protect your best interest by contacting Jeffrey Dawson.