
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises dog owners to keep up with the routine immunizations needed to keep dogs healthy, prolong their lives, and protect them from dangerous diseases. Unfortunately, some dog owners fail to get their dogs vaccinated.
When a dog becomes infected with a disease such as rabies, they can pass the bacteria to a human being. This is why states have strict laws that regulate dogs and encourage victims to file civil liability claims against negligent dog owners. If you were bitten by a dog and suffered injuries, you have the right to seek legal help. A Philadelphia dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullin Law Firm can help you file a personal injury lawsuit and seek recovery for your injuries. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, call us today at (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation.
How To Treat a Dog Bite Wound
Before considering taking legal action against the liable party, you should make your health a priority and seek medical care.
Even though you can treat a dog bite wound at home, depending on its severity, you need to see a doctor for the wound to be examined to curb the risk of infections. Also, having medical records to prove your claims of the incident can help you seek monetary compensation should you decide to take legal action.
Possible Infections from Dog Bites
A dog’s mouth has more than 60 different bacteria and can transfer the pathogen to its victim after an attack. According to the CDC, 18 percent of dog bites result in infections. Some of the diseases and conditions that can result include:
- Tetanus: Caused by a bacteria Clostridium tetani, tetanus is a serious infection that affects the brain and nervous system, leading to paralysis and stiffness of the muscles. If you have tetanus, you may find it difficult to breathe and experience painful contractions in the neck and jaw. While there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing any complications that may arise.
- Rabies: This is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. It attacks and affects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing death. Early symptoms include excess salivation, mental confusion, muscle spasms, fever, headache, and paralysis. There is no specific treatment for rabies, and in most cases, once the victim begins to display symptoms, it is nearly always fatal.
- Capnocytophaga: This disease can be deadly because apart from direct attacks, such as biting, it can be transmitted through a scratch or having close contact with the infected animal. According to Emerging Infectious Diseases, the bacteria-infected persons with a weakened or compromised immune system or those on powerful medication have a greater chance of exhibiting symptoms and becoming ill.
While the immediate aftermath of a dog bite might seem minor, these conditions could develop over time. When you seek compensation, you want to make sure it accounts for your true losses, including medical treatment that may extend into the future.
How a Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Seek Damages
The laws concerning dog bites differ from state to state, but in all cases, to seek damages and hold the dog’s owner liable, your Philadelphia dog bite lawyer does not necessarily need to prove a previous incident occurred in the dog’s past, either. When a dog bite results in severe injuries, the owner takes responsibility for the damages regardless.
A lawyer can help you navigate your case by:
- Investigating the incident: This includes determining if the dog has a history of aggression or has bitten anyone in the past, the owner’s treatment of the dog, interviewing witnesses and recording their account of the incident, and reviewing security footage.
- Documenting evidence: We can also review your medical records, related expenses, animal control report, and other relevant documents covering the incident and your injuries.
- Negotiating: We can analyze your losses and file a claim against the liable party and their insurance company. We can then assess what a fair settlement for your injuries, both economic and noneconomic, losses would look like. Our goal is to settle out of court to make the litigation process less complex, but we can represent you at trial if necessary.
Another consideration when filing a personal injury lawsuit includes the statute of limitations. Some states have deadlines by which you must file your lawsuit, and missing them could result in you losing your right to take legal action.
Do not let a negligent dog owner get away with causing your injury. They should pay for losses and take responsibility for the harm they caused.
For a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (800) 816-0755
Begin the Legal Process with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
At Pintas & Mullin Law Firm, we do not shy away from tough cases and will not hesitate to take your personal injury case to trial if the defense fails to agree on an equitable amount.
When we work for you, we will support you with contingency fees to help remove any financial concerns you may have. We want to advocate victims of dog bites, and our contingency fee basis allows us to get started on a case right away. This also helps to abide by any statute of limitations that may apply.
We would love to hear from you. Take advantage of our free consultations and call us at (800) 816-0755.
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