How to Treat a Dog Bite
American families love dogs. Most dogs make excellent pets and never act aggressively or bite people. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 900,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for dog bites every year. The majority of those bitten and seeking medical attention for dog bites are children aged four to nine.
Dogs can cause a great deal of damage to human skin, tendons, muscles, and bones by biting. In addition to damage caused directly by their strong jaws and teeth, a dog bite can also cause serious infection.
If a person is bitten by a dog and there is either broken skin or severe pain, the victim should seek medical attention immediately. Treatment for a dog bite may include:
- Treatment for puncture wounds or lacerations;
- Treatment for infection — even a superficial wound could get infected if not cleaned properly;
- Rabies protocol — the bite victim may be required to receive a series of vaccinations;
- Tetanus vaccine or booster
The dog’s owners should be contacted and notified immediately following a dog bite. If the dog has veterinary records, it could save the bite victim from some of the above procedures and alert medical professionals to any other complicating factors.
Dog owners are typically responsible for harm or injury caused by a dog bite. Victims can potentially hold the dog owner liable if they were invited onto the dog owner’s property, or if they were serving in a professional capacity, such as postal worker, police, or firefighter. In most cases in which a dog bite results in serious injury, the bite victim may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for medical bills, pain, suffering, and any disfigurement. Some dog bites, especially facial bites and particularly those suffered by children, can require multiple plastic surgeries, at great cost to both parents and children.
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, do not hesitate to call our Denver personal injury attorneys. You might be able to collect damages. Call the law firm of Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh and Jardine, P. C. at 303-792-5595 or contact us online to set up a FREE Consultation.
