As of 2017, the CDC reports that dogs bite one in every 69 people. That’s a lot of people if you take a second to think about that statistic. Not only do dog bites occur quite often, but they can lead to serious medical emergencies in many cases. In this blog, we will cover some of the common injuries and scenarios that we have seen play out in dog bite cases. Along with understanding the serious nature of these injuries, it’s also essential that you contact a personal injury attorney to further discuss your case. We will get into the details of why this step is so crucial.

Why Is A Dog Bite So Serious?

Do not brush off a dog bite as a minor injury. It’s essential that you receive medical attention if you were the victim of a dog bite. Here are a few reasons why these bites can be deemed as serious medical issues: 

• Rabies: if you don’t know the dog that bit you, it’s certainly possible that rabies could be present in the bite. Rabies travels through saliva, making it easily transmittable if the dog carries this very dangerous disease. 
• Infections: MRSA and pasteurella are two common infections that can be caused by dog bites. Both of these infections can lead to serious illnesses if not properly treated. 
• Blood loss: A deep bite can lead to major blood loss without the proper medical attention. Stitches and sometimes surgery may be needed to close the wound. 
• Tendons and muscle damage: Depending on the force of the bite, there could be internal damage to tendons and muscles that may require surgery.

All of the above-mentioned injuries require medical assistance. In some cases, you may need long-term treatment, which can lead to financial burdens that can quickly get out of control. This is yet another reason why you need a personal injury attorney on your side.  

Pet Owners Are Responsible 

Dogs may bite for a variety of different reasons. Protection, stress and even just to play are a few reasons we have come across in the past. Small children are often victims because they unknowingly put themselves in a position that can aggravate a dog to the point of lashing out with a bite. But at the end of the day, it is the pet owner who must maintain control of the dog. 

Dog owners will often say, “My dog would never bite anyone.” Unfortunately, we hear this all the time. But dogs are unpredictable when they are put into stressful situations. Under Oregon law, pet owners must control their pets to the best of their abilities. 

Seeking Compensation For Your Injuries

There’s no question that you should seek compensation if you were injured due to a dog bite. The amount of your settlement will come down to the specific details of the dog bite incident. For example, if you were voluntarily on someone’s property when the dog bite happened, this is often a difficult case to win. However, keep in mind that under Oregon law, it is stated that:  "The general rule is that the owner of a dog or other domestic animal is strictly liable for injuries caused by the animal only if the owner knows or has reason to know of the animal's dangerous propensities." 

If you sustain a dog bite due to a dog that was not under control and in a public space, your case is much more cut and dry. But please keep in mind, the circumstances that make up each incident will determine the outcome of your case. This is why it’s so important to have a personal injury lawyer who can fight for the compensation that you deserve to support your injuries. 

You Need A Dog Bite Attorney To Take On The Insurance Companies

Don’t let the insurance companies push you around by putting the blame on you for the dog bite that occurred. Many insurance companies will try to falsely claim that the victim incited the dog in a way that caused the bite to happen. An experienced personal injury attorney will not let the insurance companies get away with these tricks.

If you or someone you know was the victim of a dog bite here in the state of Oregon, contact us today for a free case evaluation. You can also reach us directly at: 1-800-285-8678. Our team of highly skilled personal injury attorneys will do everything possible to make sure you receive the compensation that you deserve.