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Dogs are a part of our lives and unfortunately, they sometimes bite people. Dog bites and the infections that occur from them are a frustrating part of life. Dog bites are common, with an estimated five million Americans suffering from this type of injury every year. It is estimated that about 20% of dog bites develop into infections that need medical care. When it comes to dog bites, there is no exception to the rule: they are an unfortunate aspect of life that is unfortunately too often to even cover or discuss in the media. If you have been bitten by a dog and are filing a lawsuit, it is important to know what type of injuries you might have in order to present your case to the court. Hire a dog bite personal injury lawyer to help you win your case.
Dog bites can take a variety of shapes and result in a variety of injuries. If you have been bitten by a dog and are filing a lawsuit against the dogs owners, it is important that you know what type of injury you have so that you can more effectively describe your position to the court and to get the dog bite compensation you deserve.
Here are some of the most common injuries to look out for when filing a lawsuit against a dog’s owners, with tips on how to heal them:
1. Lacerations
A laceration is a very serious wound. They make their way into your muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels by penetrating your skin. These wounds have confusing, random, squiggly patterns, as well as copious bleeding. To repair a laceration, your doctor may perform surgery and will certainly apply sutures. Don’t try to fix wounds with medical tape on your own; instead, seek medical assistance for every dog bite. The situation may worsen and isolating infections is a possibility.
2. Abrasions
Scrapes and abrasions are injuries that have mild appearances and only get deeper than skin level if they are really serious. When someone gets injured by a dog attack, the skin may not bleed a lot, but severe injuries could scar. Even if you think your injuries are not serious, it is always a good idea to visit a doctor if you have the chance to make sure that there are no serious problems or infections that have developed. Any abrasions caused by a dog attack should be treated in order to avoid the risk of an infection. And, if you need proof in court, you may need to produce your medical documents.
3. Punctures
The puncture wound associated with a dog bite doesn’t look nearly as bad as other types of injuries. People assume they’re completely resolved and only address them if they’re in significant pain. Puncture wounds can be dangerous, and that’s the reality. If a dog bit you, your wound is more likely to become infected. If the infection gets worse, it might be deadly. There’s a risk of long-term nerve injury that can change your life drastically. They can result in diseases like rabies, blood poisoning, and tetanus, which can all be deadly.
4. Infections
About 15% of dog bites have become infected. Dog infections can start from bacteria on the dog’s teeth or tongue, but bacterial colonies on your skin can also go into the wound and become infected. You should clean your wounds in order to avoid an infection. Keep an eye out for redness, swelling, pus, and pain, all of which might indicate infection. Some cases could lead to warmer sensations in the infected region. See a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. You should be able to acquire a prescription for antibiotics from your doctor, which should be able to fight the illness.
5. Rabies
Rabies can be transmitted by a dog’s saliva. Also, raccoon saliva, bat saliva, skunk saliva, and fox saliva will make it easier for it to spread. The treatments have to begin within 48 hours of being bitten if the animal had rabies, even whether it’s a dog or another mammal. No one who received rabies treatment within 48 hours has ever perished. Even though few Americans contract rabies in a year, it is important to constantly treat it because it is deadly if left untreated.
Animal control takes the dog into custody and quarantines it in the owners’ house unless the dog has rabies. While it is quarantined, the dog must stay away from other animals and it must report its death (for observation, or to see if it dies during the quarantine period). Rabies testing is performed on its brain in the event of death. It is generally known that someone who commits a quarantine violation may be subjected to some time in prison. Avoiding quarantine orders will incur the same punishment if one is also hiding the dog.
The victim is assumed to be safe and receives no treatment for rabies unless the dog dies. If the sufferer was bitten and shows rabies symptoms, treatment must start right at once. Symptoms of the condition include becoming easily angered, headaches, fever, and occasionally itchy skin. Rabies is typically fatal, however victims are still capable of communicating their wishes during the last days of their lives if they do not receive any treatment. The incubation period for the disease can be anywhere from two to eight weeks long, however it’s more commonly around two to four weeks and extremely rarely over a year following exposure.
A person who doesn’t get their dog vaccinated for rabies might be held accountable for any injuries and financial costs if their dog bites another person. If the victim has a case of rabies, the damages will be extensive. Even if the victim had to receive rabies treatment alone, having to deal with the discomfort of the long and tedious therapy, and then having to worry about possible death from rabies sickness would result in major losses life stresses.
Breaking quarantine rules or hiding a dog to avoid examination may also lead to severe financial penalties, as the victim will experience high levels of stress and the expenses of a rabies treatment.
6. Tetanus
Even though tetanus is rare, it can happen after a dog bite. Generally, this happens when someone has skin flora or has gotten it from the environment. You should ask your doctor to perform a screening for tetanus, as well as give you a tetanus vaccination, in order to minimize this risk. In case you failed to get an infection and are concerned that you’ve contracted tetanus because of a dog bite, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Jaw aches
- Involuntary muscle twitches
- Stiffness that Causes Pain
- Headache/Seizures
- Fever
- A Rapid Heartbeat
7. Crushing Injuries
Crushing injuries are typically inflicted by big dogs in a fight. A big dog’s jaws can cause damage by breaking, fracturing, or crushing your bones and damaging your muscles and soft tissues. It’s a shame, but many dogs will maul infants’ heads. Infants comprise roughly 12 percent of deaths due to dog bites.
8. Avulsion
When a dog tears your skin or tissue away, this is referred to as avulsion, as the tissue is torn rather than ripped. If a dog, for example, tears off your ear completely, it’s considered an avulsion injury. These injuries are of immense magnitude. Such procedures necessitate reconstructive surgery, which often leads to long-term scarring or other undesirable results.
9. Scarring
You may be left with scars if you are experiencing any kind of injury, such as an avulsion, a laceration, or serious abrasions. Your doctors may utilize laser therapy or skin grafts to minimize the long-term damage done by scarring. You may find it difficult to go out in public with visible scarring, and if this is the case, speaking with a Edmonds personal injury lawyer may help you receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
10. Nerve Damage
The harm to your nerves may occur if the bite has penetrated your nerves. Depending on the injury, you may never walk, use your hands, or even breathe the same way again. In the worst situations, nerve injury can lead to lasting paralysis.
11. Emotional Effects
You’re generally worried about your health following a dog bite. In order to get the greatest treatment available, you want to know that your child, loved one, or you will get the best care. Many people believe that once they’ve dealt with the physical aspects of a dog bite, life will simply resume as usual. However, the emotional ramifications are sometimes much more difficult to handle. However, dog bites and attacks are frightening experiences that have the potential to traumatize victims for a long time. From anxiety to depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, the different types of mental illness have a wide range (PTSD).
Did you know that pain and suffering can be considered along with physical injury in a dog bite case? Contact the best dog bite personal injury lawyer Edmonds to help you win your case.
What to Do If You Experience a Dog Bite Injury?
- Treat if Minor– If it’s mild, deal with it on your own. Follow basic emergency treatment. Clean and bandage the wound if there is bleeding.
- For deep or severe injuries, seek professional medical care immediately- It is critical to make sure that all dirt and debris are completely removed from the incision in order to minimize the chances of getting an infection. A doctor should perform this procedure. Depending on the type of poisoning, we might also need a tetanus shot, and other treatments.
- Connect with a dog bite lawyer in Edmonds– Dog bite lawsuits can be tricky to win, therefore it’s important to talk to a lawyer quickly. If you’re worried about an injury, visit an Edmonds dog bite personal injury lawyer‘s office, which usually provides a free consultation to inform you about your legal options.
There’s a simple reason to hire the best dog bite attorney: It can mean the difference between getting paid or not. You may not be aware of all future medical costs. You may not be aware that certain scars entitle you to extra compensation. Your health insurer may refuse to fund future medical treatments deemed “cosmetic.”. If you want to learn more about the Washington State’s Dog Bite Law, visit https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=16.08.040.
We’ll do everything we can to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Why hire Justin Elsner and Elsner Law Firm?
- We investigate the dog attack.
- We look into the owner’s leash and dog bite regulations.
- We hire experts as needed.
- We fight for your legal rights against the insurer.
- No time to visit our office? We’ll come to you – hospital, home, or wherever you are.
- We keep track of your bills.
- We meet all deadlines.
- We are here to help you with any dog bite legal questions.
So you can focus on getting better.
If you have significant problems from a dog attack and were hurt by puncture wounds, please contact us at any time. In addition to prosecuting, our lawyers will help you pursue your legal rights. Call Elsner Law Firm at 206-447-1425
