Dog Bites Can Lead To Further Injuries
A dog bite lawyer understands the traumatic impact of a dog bite on the victim. The injuries sustained from the accident can cause more health issues in the future. It is important to seek medical treatment immediately following a dog bite. Otherwise, you might run into these problems:
Initial Injuries
Imagine you are walking down the street, minding your own business. An unsupervised dog charges at you and snaps. What kinds of injuries will you face during that initial interaction? The first issue will most likely be bruising and some swelling. While uncomfortable, this alone does not constitute a personal injury case.
If the dog bites you hard enough, it might break the skin leading to bleeding, pain, and the potential for stitches. This can cause you to miss work and incur expensive medical bills, which is where a lawyer can help. In the end, the dog might break bones or even cause loss of limbs. You might have a case if the dog was alone without any warning indications or if someone else's negligence caused the attack.
You can learn what you might be compensated for in your case by speaking with an attorney. You can get advice on medical expenses or missed pay from missing work from your lawyer. If there are significant health issues involved, the situation becomes more problematic. Our associates at Cohen & Cohen can help.
Secondary Injuries
Professionals in the medical field must clean the wounds from biting. Dogs may be adorable and cuddly, but their mouths aren't always the cleanest. You face the danger of contracting an illness from bacteria like streptococci or staph if the dog bite breaks your skin. In certain cases, the bite can be so deep that you run the risk of developing an infection even if you get medical assistance right once. In that case, you may need to visit your doctor for follow-up examinations, medication, and injections.
On the other hand, maybe the bite did not seem that severe—perhaps only a single tooth barely pierced your skin. You might be tempted not to seek medical treatment. You might also notice that your wound is a little more painful or it does not go away over time. Without treatment, you might develop an infection which can then turn into sepsis. No matter how small the wound, be sure to get it checked by professionals.
Other damage from the dog bite might include nerves. If you experience radiating pain, tingling, or numbness in your body after a bite, your nerves are most likely damaged. Nerves can heal so that these symptoms might go away. However, some bites are so severe that they cause permanent injuries. For example, if a dog bit your hand and permanently damaged it, you might be unable to type on a computer. If your job depends on you typing daily, you will have long-reaching consequences from a single bite.
After a dog bite, you should seek immediate medical attention. Your next call should then be to a lawyer. They can help you get compensation for both immediate and long-term injuries that affect your daily life.
Contact a lawyer near you today for help if a dog has bitten you or a loved one.
