Dog Bite Statistics and Liability Information

When a dog bite or attack occurs, many victims will end up in emergency rooms across the United States. The statistics are alarming: There are approximately 78 million dogs in the U.S., and every year more than 4.5 million dog bites will occur, injuring victims. According to the CDC, many of the victims of dog bites just so happen to be children and men.

There are very serious risks associated with dog bite injuries due to the fact that you could contract a disease from an animal. Some of these diseases include the following:

• Rabies: This is a disease that can affect the brain and is usually fatal when not treated. It can be spread through the bite and saliva of an animal.
• MRSA: This is a difficult-to-treat infection that can spread to the bloodstream or lungs and cause life-threatening infection.
• Tetanus: This serious bacterial disease affects the nervous system and there is also no cute for Tetanus.
• Pasteurella: This bacteria is seen in over 50% of dog bite wounds that become infected. If you have a compromised immune system, the disease could be much worse.

Liability

When you determine who the owner of the dog is, you can discover who will be held liable for your injuries. “Strict liability” may be imposed, which is when an owner will be legally responsible no matter what the situation. Even if the owner never saw their dog attack somebody before, they can still be held liable under this theory.

If you have been bitten by an animal, the first thing you should do is receive medical attention for your injuries. You could receive a serious illness or even die if an infection is left untreated or if the dog had a serious disease. Speaking to an attorney will give you a better idea of what damages you will be able to recover. Call us today for more information on your case and assistance answering some of the most important questions.