It’s always sad to hear about a dog biting someone, whether the victim is an adult or a child. When it does happen, you not only need medical attention, you’ll also need a personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois. Contact Carlson Bier Associates today for a consultation at 312-622-2900.
While the vast majority of dogs are not aggressive toward people, it’s important that owners keep their pets under control so that they don’t hurt anyone. Dog bites can cause serious injuries, or even death, and sometimes require long-term medical treatment after the initial attack. Here’s what you should know about dog bites and what to do if you’re attacked.
Dog bite statistics
In 2005, there were approximately 4.5 million dog bites in the United States. This is a very large number of people who are injured by dogs every year. Most of these bites are not serious and do not lead to hospitalization.
Some dog bites, however, are serious enough to require medical attention and they can be fatal if left untreated. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog and needs emergency medical help (such as stitches) you need to go to the doctor right away. Once you have gotten treatment, you can contact a personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois to pursue your personal injury claim. Our attorneys at Carlson Bier Associates are here to help.
It’s estimated that 800,000 people require medical attention for dog bites each year. This is a very high number and it’s a serious problem. Dog bites are dangerous because they can cause infections, puncture wounds, and broken bones. You need to be careful around dogs if you don’t know them well.
It is rare, but some people have died from dog bites
You may have heard that dog bites are the second most common reason for visits to the emergency room. Did you know that about 12 people die each year from them? Deaths from dog bites are most common during summer months when people tend to spend more time outdoors. Most of those deaths are caused by injuries to the head and neck region. Children are more likely to be bitten in this area, while adults tend to get bitten on their arms or legs.
Most dog bite related deaths are because dogs can carry other diseases. Even if they’ve been vaccinated against rabies, they can still be carrying other things like parvovirus (the virus that causes puppy diarrhea) or distemper (a respiratory disease). If a dog has these viruses and gives them to you through its saliva, your body may not have a way of fighting them off.
If someone you love has died of dog bite related complications, you should contact a personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois for help.
Children are the most common victims of dog bites
Children are more likely than adults to be bitten by dogs and also more likely to be bitten on the face, head, neck, and upper limbs.
In a study of hospital admissions for dog bites between January 2000 and December 2010, it was found that 12% of children aged 5-9 years old were admitted because they had been bitten on the face or head. This compares with just 2% of adults aged 30-59 years old; although both incidents resulted in similar numbers of hospital stays (5 days).
Their findings suggest there may be some underlying reason why younger children are at greater risk from these injuries. Children may play unsupervised with dogs. They may not be able to tell when a dog is stressed or upset and unintentionally aggravate the animal. Kids are smaller and more likely to be the same height as the dog, making their face and upper body a target.
Whatever the reason, children under 10 years old are more likely to be injured by dog bites than any other age group. When these bites occur, medical attention is absolutely necessary. You may also need a personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois to pursue a personal injury claim.
Contact our personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois if you’ve suffered a dog bite injury
It’s important to remember that there is no way to predict when or why a dog might bite. Thus, it’s critical to remain vigilant and take proper precautions. If you or a family member has been injured in a dog bite attack, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer Naperville Illinois immediately.
At Carlson Bier, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and ensure that you and your loved ones receive the compensation they deserve for their pain, suffering and other damages.
