The Most Common Injuries Caused by Dog Attacks
Getting attacked by an aggressive dog is terrifying. Humans do not have the natural weapons that dogs do. It can be incredibly difficult to stop a dog attack as well. Once a dog begins an attack, it is not likely to let up voluntarily. These attacks can happen unpredictably. A dog that seemed friendly yesterday could do a complete 180 and cause serious harm to a person today. If you have been attacked by a dog, it is very important to seek prompt medical attention. While bite mark lacerations are present in the vast majority of dog attacks, there are other types of injuries that a dog can inflict. Children are most vulnerable to dog attacks, although adults can be attacked and seriously harmed as well. If you have survived a dog attack, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the dog’s owner.
Types of Injuries Dogs Can Cause
Dog bites should always be checked by a doctor right away. Right after an attack, your adrenaline is probably running very high. Adrenaline can block pain signals, which can be advantageous when you need to keep fighting back, but it can also prevent you from noticing an injury until it wears off. Common injuries inflicted by dogs include:
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Lacerations - When dogs bite and do not let go, but begin shaking their heads, flesh can tear. These wounds may be very difficult to close and typically leave an ugly scar.
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Nerve and ligament damage - Deep puncture wounds from a bite can be deep enough to cause damage to nerves and ligaments. These injuries frequently require surgery to correct. However, even with surgery, many people continue to experience difficulty using the affected body part or find that the area remains numb.
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Broken bones - The crushing force of a large dog’s bite can break small bones, especially in the hands. People often throw their hands out in an effort to defend themselves, causing the dog to bite them. Broken bones can also be the result of a fall after a dog knocks the victim over.
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Scarring - Being left with disfiguring scars is a common complaint after a serious dog attack. Scarring may be particularly problematic if the face was bitten. Disfigurement may be compensable.
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Infection - Dogs’ mouths can harbor loads of nasty bacteria. Bites can push this bacteria deep into a person’s body and lead to serious infection.
If you have suffered a dog attack, you should seek medical attention quickly, and then call an attorney.
Contact a Cook County Dog Bite Lawyer
Adler Law Offices, LTD is committed to helping victims of dog attacks recover the compensation they deserve. Our experienced Chicago dog bite attorneys will work hard to get you the most possible compensation. Call 312-236-2700 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1804160/