One of the biggest risks of dog bites is an infection.
They say that dogs are man’s best friend, and for good reason — dogs are faithful, loyal companions, quick to greet their owners, full of love and affection, and protective of their homes and yards. Yet those same lovable “fur babies” can also be quite a liability for their owners when their protective nature results in an attack. Dog bites can be incredibly serious, leading to significant injuries, and in severe cases, even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. Of those bites, 1 in 5 become infected — approximately 900,000 bites per year. These infections can result in rabies, MRSA, tetanus, or other diseases. If a bite is not treated promptly and becomes infected, serious complications or even death can result.
Children are at the highest risk of dog bites, particularly those between the ages of 5 and 9. Most dog bites occur at home with dogs that are familiar to their victims. Having more dogs in the house increases the likelihood of being bitten by a dog, according to the CDC.
There are some basic safety tips that you can follow to reduce the risk of getting bitten by a dog. These include never approaching an unfamiliar dog, never disturbing a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for its puppies, and never letting small children play with a dog unsupervised. If you are approached by an unfamiliar dog, you should remain motionless, and curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck if the dog knocks you over. Never pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
If you are bitten by a dog, an experienced dog bite lawyer can help to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. But before you contact a lawyer, you should take steps to minimize the potential for infections. For minor wounds, you should start by washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water and applying an antibiotic cream. Then cover the dog bite with a clean bandage. Seek medical attention if the site of the bite becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen, or if the dog that bit you was acting strangely at the time.
If the wound is deep, apply pressure with a clean, deep cloth to stop the bleeding. If you can’t stop the bleeding, call 911. Seek medical attention immediately.
After you have obtained proper medical treatment, an experienced dog bite lawyer can help you take the next steps so you can get compensated for your injuries. An attorney can file a claim with the insurance company, preserve evidence, interview witnesses and protect your right to seek compensation.
If you have been bitten by a dog, a seasoned dog bite lawyer can help make sure you get the money you deserve to help pay for your medical treatment, time off of work, and other damages. At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, our skilled attorneys have helped more than 100,000 clients get compensation for their injuries. Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule a free initial consultation. We never charge a fee unless we get money for you!
