Personal Injury | February 24, 2021

Do You Need Medical Attention for Your Dog Bite Injuries?

Some people fail to seek professional medical attention following a dog bite and develop serious complications later. Given the potential risks of infection, a person bitten by a dog should consider a medical evaluation to help ensure they are okay and don’t require other treatment to minimize the risk of worsening conditions following a dog bite.  In order to identify your rights and navigate your way through opening a claim and pursuing a just result for the harm and loss a dog bite has caused you, consider contacting a personal injury law office that has experience in successfully representing dog bite victims. Contact Anderson Law to discuss your case, free of charge. 

Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries.  Sometimes, it is obvious that you need medical help, such as if the bite was part of a longer attack or you see exposed tissue under the skin.  However, if your injuries seem relatively minor, you might be tempted to render first aid at home and avoid the emergency room. In some cases, though,  seemingly minor injuries can lead to bigger problems if they are not addressed properly. 

If another person’s dog bit you, that owner can be held responsible for your medical bills and other losses.  Don’t wait to discuss the claim process with a Bonney Lake Dog bite injury attorney.

Common Complications

One reason to consider seeking medical attention is to prevent the following complications from developing.

Infections

One of the most important matters after a dog bite wound is making sure that the wound gets properly cleaned.  Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not have the cleanest mouths, and a bite can transfer many types of bacteria.  Dog teeth can also cause deep wounds - deeper than you might think - and it can be difficult to clean the depths of the wound.  Some puncture wounds close up and appear to be healed, while infection can develop beneath the skin. 

Injuries to Soft Tissue and Bone

Some dog bites might cause soft tissue tears or small bone fractures.  If the area under or around the bite wound is sore or tender and the pain persists, always see a doctor who can use imaging tests to diagnose any injuries under the skin.

Rabies

While it is rare for humans to get rabies, it does happen, and if not treated right away after the bite, rabies can be fatal.  If you do not know the dog that bit you or cannot find the owner to determine whether the dog was vaccinated against rabies, it is imperative that you consider having this timely addressed by a medical professional.  Receiving proper care, often on the day of the exposure, and at regular intervals following the initial vaccine should prevent a bad situation from becoming much worse.  If you do not receive this care, and the dog had rabies, you can develop symptoms later down the road, and by that time, it can lead to serious problems. 

As you can see, there are many reasons why you should consider seeking professional help following a dog bite injury.  It would also be prudent to understand your rights and seek counsel from an experienced attorney to understand how to pursue proper compensation for medical expenses, harms and losses suffered. 

Discuss Your Rights with a Bonney Lake Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Contact a Bonney Lake dog bite injury lawyer at Anderson Law, PLLC, at (253) 862-1811 or contact us online today. 

The information contained on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing in this website establishes an attorney-client relationship between us. Different facts can dramatically affect a legal opinion. You should consult an attorney for legal advice that pertains to your personal situation.