Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites are one of the most common injuries, sending hundreds of thousands of people to the emergency room each year. Although you might think a nip on the arm is no big deal, dog bites often cause serious complications. Many victims need expensive medical care, including antibiotics, stitches, and sometimes even surgery. The emotional side effects of an attack are also considerable. Young children, in particular, can develop a life-long fear of dogs from a single attack.
Contact Monaco Law PC to speak with a Philadelphia dog bite lawyer today. Our law firm is knowledgeable about Pennsylvania dog bite law and will use our experience to help you obtain compensation for your injuries. This is a grueling process, but we have the skills you need during this time.
Dog Bite Injuries Are Serious
Even small dogs can cause disabling injuries which might leave someone in the hospital for weeks. Our clients have bravely fought to recover from:
- Cuts or lacerations. A dog’s sharp teeth can tear, slice, or puncture a person’s skin. Serious cuts or lacerations can cause permanent scarring.
- Few people think of infections as a dog bite injury, but they are some of the most serious. Dogs have many germs in their mouths which get transferred to a person’s bloodstream. These infections can require admission to the hospital.
- This is a life-threatening condition where the body overreacts to an infection. Increased inflammation can damage organs and even lead to death.
- Larger dogs have strong jaws which can crush bones. If your bones aren’t set properly, they could fuse together in a deformed manner.
- Nerve damage. Teeth can slice and permanently damage nerves, leading to pain or paralysis in the affected body part.
- This is a fatal infection, but a vaccine is effective if you take it early enough.
- A mauled victim might suffer permanent disfigurement, especially around the face. Reconstructive surgery is expensive and rarely 100% successful at fixing your appearance.
To give yourself the best chance of improving, head to the hospital following a dog attack. You can also try to stop bleeding by pressing a towel to your wound. Wash shallow wounds in warm, soapy water or wait for the hospital to clean it. A doctor can also begin treatment to prevent rabies or serious infection.
If possible, you should also try to identify the dog owner. This is easier if you are bitten on private property. If the dog was roaming around, you might need to contact animal control to file a report.
Call our Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Pennsylvania law gives dog bite victims certain rights. In fact, the relevant statute makes dog attacks a strict liability tort. This means you don’t need to show the dog owner was careless in restraining a dog. Instead, if you are bitten and suffer injuries, you should automatically qualify for compensation.
Contact our Philadelphia dog bite attorney today to learn more. Monaco Law represents clients on contingency, meaning you won’t have to pay any up-front legal fees to secure our services.