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Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

Pet Dogs in U.S. Households

With all the pet dogs in U.S. households, it’s no surprise that more than 800,000 Americans get medical treatment for dog bites yearly. And that number doesn’t include other injuries, like when a dog knocks someone over or causes an accident by chasing a motorcycle. Depending on the circumstances and the relevant laws, dog owners are generally liable if their pets hurt someone. That means the owners (or their insurance companies) may have to pay the victims for the harm they suffered (or “damages”). A dog bite can have severe consequences, such as:

-Abrasions

Abrasions refer to superficial injuries such as grazes and scrapes that don’t

go past your epidermis. Usually, when you suffer bruises due to a dog attack,

there isn’t a lot of bleeding, but in severe cases, you may experience

scarring. Typically, these injuries can be treated at home, but you may want to

seek medical attention to ensure you don’t have any infections or

complications. Additionally, medical records can be essential if you bring

forward a lawsuit.

-Lacerations

Lacerations are deep cuts or tears in the skin. They go past the epidermis

and into your body’s muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. Often, these

wounds are marked by uneven, zig-zig patterns and excessive bleeding. It would

help if you had medical attention and stitches to treat lacerations from a dog

attack. Do not try to close these wounds on your own with skin repair tape.

That can lock in infections and create an even worse situation.

-Punctures

Punctures happen when the dog’s teeth pierce or puncture your skin. Although

these wounds can be much more minor than lacerations, they tend to be profound.

That heightens the risk of infection, so medical attention should be sought

even if the bleeding isn’t profuse.

-Infections

Approximately 10 to 15% of dog bites lead to infections.

Often, diseases come from bacteria in the dog’s mouth, but they can also arise

from germs or bacteria on your skin. That’s why it’s always essential to clean

your wounds. You should also be aware of the signs of infection: pain, redness,

swelling, and pus. In some cases, the site of the disease may feel warm to

the touch. If you see any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional

immediately. They should be able to give you antibiotics to counteract the

infection.

-Tetanus

Although not as common as rabies, tetanus also can occur after a dog bite.

Generally, this doesn’t come from the dog’s saliva but rather from the victim’s

skin flora or the environment. If you’re worried about this risk, ask your

doctor to screen you for tetanus and update your shot.

-Crushing Injuries

Crushing injuries usually occur in attacks involving large dogs. Large dogs

can exert tremendous force with their jaws that can crush, break, or fracture

you’re bones while injuring your muscles and soft tissues. Sadly, many dogs have

even been known to eradicate the heads of babies, and that’s why infants

make up about 12% of dog bite-related fatalities.

-Avulsion

Avulsion means ripping or tearing something away; these injuries occur when the

dog pulls skin or tissue away from your body. For instance, if a dog wholly or

rips your ear off your head, that is an avulsion injury. These injuries are

severe. They typically require reconstructive surgery, and they can lead to

lifelong scarring or other issues.

-Scarring

You may face scarring if you have an avulsion, a laceration, or even some

deep abrasions. To reduce the long-term effects of scarring, your doctors may

be able to do skin grafts or use laser therapy. Extensive scarring can be

embarrassing and socially debilitating, and in these cases, you may want to

talk with a dog bite attorney about compensation for your pain and suffering.

Injuries from Familiar Dogs If your dog attacks you, the

wounds often differ from those you receive from strays or other

people’s dogs. People tend to be very close to their pets, so they often

receive bites on their faces or necks. Unfortunately, if your dog attacks you,

you usually can’t hold anyone else liable for your injuries.

-Injuries from Other Dogs

In contrast, the most common injuries from other dogs tend to occur on your

hands. This often happens when people reach their hand out to a strange dog to

let them sniff it. The exception is with children. Due to their short stature,

children often suffer facial wounds from both peculiar and familiar dogs.

-Nerve Damage

If the bite extends into the nerves, you may experience

nerve damage. Depending on the extent of the injury, this can lead to temporary

loss of function or permanent loss of ability in that part of your body. In

extreme cases, nerve damage can cause permanent paralysis.

Death from Dog Attacks

Finally, some dog attacks can lead to death. There were 279 deaths due to

dog attacks between 1979 and 1994. That’s approximately 18 per year.

(713) 366-HURT (4878)

A case involving Harris County Courts can be complicated. Proving the legal elements with clear and convincing evidence is a daunting task. Houston Injury Lawyers, PLLC, can help you navigate this issue and answer any questions you may have. Se Habla español.

Houston Injury Lawyers, PLLC 

We have the experience and resources necessary to guide you and your family through the civil court proceedings. Your injury claim will entail and help you approach the situation with great confidence and understanding.

Contact us to schedule a free case review and find out how our firm can assist in your recovery.

State of Texas 

They are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas that allows victims to recover their damages and seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

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