A dog bite is amongst the common premises liability cases received by the lawyers of Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein. A dog bite can cause pain and pose other health risks. Along with soft-tissue damage, a dog bite can cause severe infections in the human body.
A dog’s mouth contains various bacteria and germs that can make you deathly sick if proper care is not taken immediately. If you are battling with your life because someone else failed to control their dog, you are eligible for compensation. There are specific types of cases called personal injury suits that arbitrate such circumstances. An attorney similar to this personal injury lawyer in Irvine usually deals with getting victims compensation for dog bites. The amount in damages that you could get depends on the kind of infection or harm you suffer from the bite.
What are some common dog bite infections?
If you are a dog bite victim, you are prone to 300 different infections. However, some of the common infections may include the following.
- Pasteurellosis
Almost all dogs have this bacteria in their mouths. Pasteurella infections can cause harm to your muscles and bones if left untreated for a long time. When a dog bites you, this bacteria can cause a condition called cellulitis. You may experience redness, swelling, and draining pus from the wound. Such infections usually require a 7-10 days treatment period.
- Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, commonly dogs. The disease can be fatal if left untreated and is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world. Any delays to treatment causing health issues are a major issue in the management of rabies. Once symptoms appear, it is often too late to prevent the disease from progressing. Medical personnel has to understand the urgency of rabies cases and if they do not, they might have a negligence suit on their hands.
- Staph and strep infections
Staph and strep infections are caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria, leading to severe and even fatal conditions. Symptoms may include fever, joint swelling, and cellulitis.
You may experience painful and red pus-filled blisters. Your doctor may need to drain the pus from the wound and treat it with antibiotics to stop the infection from further progression.
If you delay getting the right treatment for the bite, it could lead to further infection and cause something called necrotizing fasciitis, which will require urgent medical treatment to avoid severe consequences.
- Tetanus
You probably would have heard of tetanus shots. Tetanus is a bacteria that can enter your body when a dog bites you. You may experience cramping in the jaw, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, and muscle stiffness. Tetanus is a serious condition, and victims should seek help immediately.
Signs and symptoms of a dog bite
Not all dog bites are infected. However, it is important to know about the warning signs and when to seek help. Here are a few warning signs of a dog bite infection.
- swelling and redness around the wound
- drainage from the wound
- a warm feeling around the wound
- pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
- difficulty moving the affected part of the body
Signs which may indicate that the infection has traveled to other parts of your body may include fever, shaking, and night sweats. It is crucial not to ignore these signs.
A dog bite is not something to not worry about. All pet owners are legally liable if their dog causes harm to anybody and are responsible for reimbursing the victim for their medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you are looking to recover compensation, consult an attorney today.
