In statistics presented by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the average American family owns at least one dog, and the total number of dogs in households across the United States is 48,255,413.
This data is a testament to dogs being “man’s best friend.” Unfortunately, not everyone has experienced the loyal and unwavering companionship that dogs can bring. If you suffered a dog bite injury, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you file a civil lawsuit against the liable party and, where possible, seek awards for your losses.
To discuss your case with a member of our legal team, or to hire a San Antonio dog bite lawyer, call us now at (800) 816-0755.
There Are Many Reasons Why Dogs Bite
Before we dive into how we approach litigation, let us explore why dogs bite in the first place. According to the AVMA, some explanations for why a dog might bite a person are:
- A dog may bite as a defense mechanism to protect itself, its puppies, territory, members of its pack, and its owner. This defense instinct is common with a mother protecting its puppies.
- A dog may display aggressive behavior like biting if you wake it up violently from sleep or approach it from behind and startle it. In these cases, they may bite because they feel threatened or scared.
- A dog may bite if they want to be left alone. This may happen if the dog feels sick or have a sore due to an illness or injury.
- Running away from a dog, even during play, might trigger herding behavior or predatory pursuit in some breeds and provoke it to bite.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can result in a variety of injuries, each differing in severity. If a dog has bitten you, you may suffer one or more of the injuries listed below:
- Broken bones: Depending on the aggressiveness of the dog and any impact to the ground you may experience, you might fracture a bone in your body. The main symptom of a broken bone is pain and loss of functionality in the affected area.
- Puncture wounds: Although puncture wounds do not cause much bleeding, these wounds tend to be very deep, which may increase your risk of infection. If you notice drainage such as pus, swelling, or redness from the wound, seek medical attention immediately.
- Eye and facial injuries: People have lost their sight in dog bite injuries. In many cases, there may also be scratches or deep injuries to the face. Even after the facial wounds heal, victims often deal with extensive scarring that may only get corrected through reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological trauma: A dog bite incident can result in serious emotional distress, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The psychological impact can create an irrational fear of all dogs and even interfere with normal activities.
What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog
Now that you understand some of the possible reasons for a dog bite and the associated risks, here are a few things to do if you suffer injuries in a dog bite incident.
- Seek medical care. Even if the injury is a mere bruise to the skin, make it a priority to go to the hospital. The risk of infection increases if the wound is left untreated.
- File a dog bite report. After you have sought medical care, contact your local animal control center and report the incident. In some states, it is required by law to report animals that exhibit dangerous behavior. We recommend that you consider this step because your attack may not be an isolated incident. The dog could continue to be a threat to others if left unreported.
- Document the incident. Take pictures of yourself and the location where the attack took place. If there were witnesses, collect their contact information. You must do the same for the dog’s owner. As you are recovering from your injuries, remember to document the cost of medical bills, prescription medication, and every other expense related to your injuries and recovery.
- Hire a San Antonio dog bite lawyer. Once you recover, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to tell us about your case. We will listen and help you weigh your legal options, including whether your case is still within the statute of limitations.
For a free legal consultation with a San Antonio Dog Bite Lawyer serving San Antonio, call (800) 816-0755
How Pintas & Mullins Law Firm May Help You
There are a few types of dog bite lawsuits. Before we seek awards, we may analyze your case to determine the category it falls into, such as:
- Aggressive incidents: This claim may be ideal for your case if the dog broke loose from its leash or confines and aggressively bit you. The awards you might receive depend on the level of aggression of the dog, the breed of dog, and other case details.
- Nonaggressive incidents: In some dog bite cases, even though the dog bit the victim, it might have done so without exhibiting aggression. Additionally, a dog might nip when it is excited. Depending on the breed, this may cause injury to the victim.
- Dog on dog aggression: An innocent passerby may get hurt in the crossfire when two or more dogs engage in aggressive behavior with each other. This category of dog bite lawsuit also applies to cases where an aggressive dog causes injury to itself as well as anyone nearby.
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Start Your Litigation Process Today
As a personal injury law firm, we have helped many dog bite victims to seek awards for their losses. We may be able to do the same for you. Hiring a San Antonio dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is simple. Call us anytime at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case with a member of our legal team.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form