Beyond Bite Wounds: How a Dog Attack Can Injure Victims

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

While most people think of a dog bite as the resulting injury of such an attack, there are other injuries that may be sustained during the dog attack. These injuries can be more threatening than a flesh wound and should not be overlooked by a victim, medical provider, or attorney.

Disease from Dog Bites

A dog’s mouth can have many types of bacteria in it. There are over 60 types that have been found. It is no wonder that 18 percent of dog bites become infected.

Dog bite victims can contract these diseases:

• Rabies. If you do not know the shot record of the dog that attacked you, rabies is one of your top concerns. Rabies affects the brain and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
• Capnocytophaga. This type of bacteria does not make dogs or cats sick. Many people will also not become sick from this bacteria. However, the bacteria are dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.
• Pasteurella. This bacteria is seen in over half of infected dog bites. Symptoms include a painful, red infection at the site of the bite, swollen glands, swelling in the joints, and difficulty moving.
• MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This is a type of staph infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. The bacteria can cause skin, lung, and urinary tract infections in people. When MRSA gets into the bloodstream or lungs, it can cause life-threatening infections.
• Tetanus. This toxin leads to rigid paralysis.

Emotional Disturbances from Dog Bites

There are also a host of emotional injuries that dog attack victims may experience. Some people become depressed due to the severity of their injuries or the new limitations placed on their life. Other people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders and may find it impossible to be around dogs or to be in certain situations.

Also, one’s injuries may lead to a loss of enjoyment of life. If a dog bite means that the victim can no longer enjoy activities, the law may provide for some compensation.

Future Medical and Lost Wages

A victim’s future medical needs should always be provided by the at-fault party. This may mean that a doctor will have to give an expert opinion about what care will be needed. Also, past and future lost wages should be added to a victim’s compensation package.

Contact an Orland Park, IL Dog Bite Attorney

Issa Law, LLC represents dog bite victims seeking to be made whole again. Our firm is experienced with negotiating with insurance companies and is not afraid to go to trial if our clients do not get a reasonable and satisfactory settlement offer.

Dog attacks can leave the victim with a host of injuries, both seen and unseen, and the at-fault party should be made to compensate anyone injured. Contact our resourceful Cook County dog bite lawyer today at 708-966-2408 to learn more about what type of case you or a loved one may have.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/