Dog Bite Injuries in Rancho Cordova
I have had a considerable amount of experience with dog bite cases in the greater Sacramento region, which I would like to share with my readers.
First and foremost, Animal Services in Rancho Cordova has a website that addresses the most frequently asked questions from residents about dog bites and other matters concerning animal control. A helpful link appears below for your use and review. Accordingly, the Rancho Cordova Animal Services office, along with doctors and other experts strongly advise that, if you are bitten, seek medical attention without delay. According to the Center for Disease Control(CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States and the infection rate is 1 out of 5! Rabies is only one of a number of possible infections which can result from a dog bite.
Rancho Cordova Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can range in severity from minor bruising to scratching of the skin surface to bleeding puncture wounds and degloving injuries. Regardless of the degree of injury, someone who has been attacked needs to be evaluated and treated immediately. Domestic animals like pet cats and dogs are responsible for the majority of animal bites. While dogs cause more bite wounds, cat bites are usually more likely to become infected.
Animal Bites and Infections
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infection occurs in 15 percent of dog bites and up to 50 percent of cat bites. In either case, animal bites should not be ignored, or should anyone delay evaluation and treatment. In a number of dog bite cases, antibiotics may be recommended and prescribed by a physician.
Younger children are the most susceptible to facial bites by dogs, in many cases, with whom they are familiar. Dog bite injuries are more often the most severe and can result in extensive bleeding, pain, and disfigurement. A number of dog bite injuries will require surgery. Sometimes, multiple procedures will have to be performed. Disfigurement and scar management cases can take years to resolve and result in severe physical and psychological distress. In some cases, ongoing counseling may be necessary to manage plastic surgery expectations and the psychological trauma associated with the dog bite injury.
Collecting Information about your Case
When possible, parents and witnesses should gather as much information as they can about a Rancho Cordova dog bite injury. Information about the type, breed, location, and description will assist with both the medical evaluation, as well as the animal services response to investigate the bite report and quarantine the animal. It is sad but true that in many cases, the victim is familiar with the animal in question. This places the dog owners in a particularly difficult situation when their animal bites another person. Certain dog breeds, depending upon the information source, have been labeled as “dangerous”. It is often recommended that owners consider purchasing special liability insurance, which provides protection in the event you have, what some consider to be a dangerous breed. These policies provide financial relief to a victim as well as the owner of the dog.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, one-third of all homeowner’s insurance liability claims (in dollars) result from dog bites or dog-related injuries, while the average cost is more than $37,000, the national total paid out for these unfortunate incidents was over $600 million in 2016.
Rancho Cordova Dog Bite Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Rancho Cordova Dog Bite Lawyer. If you or someone you care about sustained an animal or dog bite injury, please call me for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
I have more than 3 decades of experience handling matters involving serious personal injury and wrongful death cases in Rancho Cordova.
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