Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Chico
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico dog bite attorney. While many people say that dogs are a man’s best friend, this doesn’t mean that dogs aren’t dangerous. In fact, dog bites continue to remain a major issue facing both the medical and legal community. What are some treatment options for people who have been injured by a dog in Chico?
Watch Youtube Video – Dog Bite Wounds – How to Treat a Dog Bite. This video shows you how to treat a very minor dog bite wound. It is important to seek medical attention promptly after any dog bite. After your doctor visit you should contact a dog bite lawyer serving Chico.
Cover the Dog Bite with a Moist Cloth and Elevate
Dog bites can be a traumatic injury. Bites can range markedly in severity; however, even the most minor of dog bites can cause significant damage to the soft tissue underneath, leading to severe bleeding. To preserve the tissue under the skin, it is important to prevent it from drying out. This can be done by covering the area with a moist cloth. Furthermore, it is important for people to elevate the injury above the level of the heart. This will allow gravity to slow the bleeding coming from the wound.
Wash the Bite with Light Soap and Water
If the wound is large or deep, it is a good idea to wash the area with a light soap and water. Strong soaps may be too strong for the tissue and run the risk of damaging the tissue underneath. Think about the pain that happens when soap gets in people’s eyes, particularly if someone has suffered a dog bite injury of the eye. Strong soaps can damage the soft tissue in a similar way. For this reason, use a soap that isn’t too strong to try and remove any of the dirt, grime, and food particles that may have been left over in the mouth of the dog. If these substances are left behind, they can inhibit the healing process and may promote infection.
Apply an Antibiotic Ointment and a Sterile Bandage
Finally, consider using a light antibiotic ointment on the wound. These are found in most medicine cabinets and are sold over the counter at most pharmacies. These antibiotics are a great first step for preventing any infections that might develop in the wound, particularly from extremity trauma. After applying the ointment, cover the wound with a sterile bandage. This bandage will cover the wound, giving it time to heal, while still allowing oxygen to access the area to promote healing. The sterile nature of the bandage will also slow the infiltration of the area by any bacteria that might be looking to cause an infection, especially if the dog bite caused a bone fracture.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
It doesn’t take people with a significant amount of experience with dogs to know that dogs’ mouths are not the cleanest places on Earth. Their mouths are teeming with bacteria that are prone to causing severe infections and serious complications. The most notable risk is rabies, which is why it is always important to check the dog’s immunization status. A medical professional may consider performing more scans, such as an MRI, to assess any damage to structures underneath the wound. The doctor may also consider prescribing some antibiotics to clean up any signs of infection around the wound. The doctor can also give much-needed guidance on the prognosis of the injury.
Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Chico
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico dog bite lawyer. While dog bites can be serious injuries, people should also know that there are multiple options available for treatment. If you, or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a dog bite, please contact my office at (530) 392-9400 for free, friendly advice. My toll-free line is also available at (800) 404-5400.
I have been inducted into the California Chapter of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This group is made up of some of the top trial lawyers in the country. Everyone in this group has won multiple or multiple million-dollar case settlements for past clients.
Client Reviews ~ Past Verdicts and Settlements
Those who are interested may view some of my prior verdicts and settlements here.
My client reviews are available at Avvo (a site which ranks attorneys, Yelp, and Google.
Photo Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons ~ images in the public domain.
For more information – contact: Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Chico
:dr bw