Jersey City Dog Bite Lawyers

Jersey City Dog Bite Lawyers

Each year in the United States, more than 4.5 million people suffer dog bites. Although dogs are known as man’s best friend, they can be unpredictable and act aggressively. Their powerful jaws and intelligence often make them very dangerous to people of all ages. In some instances, the bites can be fatal.

If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog in Jersey City, you may have the right to file for damages. You shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering on your own when the attack wasn’t your fault.

To have the best chance at getting the compensation you deserve, it’s vital that you turn to Jersey City dog bite lawyers. At Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, we are here to guide you through the entire process involved in a personal injury claim.

Common Dog Attack Injuries

Dog bites can range in severity, depending on the type of dog, its size, and many other factors. In the United States, an estimated 368,245 people end up in the emergency room every year because of dog bites. Most of those who suffer injuries are children because they don’t know not to approach strange dogs.

Some of the most common injuries people suffer as a result of a dog bite are hand, arm, and leg injuries. Most people react to a dog bite by putting their hands out in front of them to protect their faces. The dog might then grab onto the hands and arms and refuse to let go.

Some people only receive abrasions from a dog bite. This means that the bite didn’t go past the top layer of skin. There may not be a lot of bleeding, but there can still be the risk of scarring.

The powerful jaws most dogs have can quickly lead their teeth to puncture skin and muscle, even reaching the bone in some instances. These bites can tear into tendons and ligaments, destroying tissue and potentially causing lasting damage.

Lacerations and scarring are serious concerns with dog bites. They often require stitches and bandages and may even result in the need for surgical procedures. The scarring can come from the bite itself or from the surgical incisions needed to treat the wound.

Because of the size of a dog’s teeth, you can end up with deep puncture wounds. These increase your chances of getting an infection. The deeper the bite is, the deeper any bacteria can reach.

If a dog bite becomes infected, you can experience swelling, heat, redness, and pain. One out of every five dog bites becomes infected.

Avulsions can also occur from a dog bite. Avulsions involve the tearing away of tissue. For example, if a dog rips your ear off, that is an avulsion. Because of the severity of the injury, people who suffer avulsions often have to resort to plastic surgery.

Dog bites can also, unfortunately, affect your face. This is a particular concern if you know the dog since you’re more likely to get closer than you would with a dog you don’t know. Disfigurement can occur in these circumstances.

Bites can also cause disabilities. If a dog bites in a spot that severs a limb or damages your eyes, you can end up dealing with a long-term issue that affects you for the rest of your life.

Nerve damage issues of varying severity are common with dog injuries. Nerves can be stretched, compressed, or even severed. Nerve damage can be permanent and may require long-term treatments that include surgery and physical therapy. One of the issues with nerve damage is that it can lead to chronic pain or loss of sensation.

Dog bites can also cause damage to venous structures like arteries and veins. The bite can puncture blood vessels, leading to blood loss. These kinds of injuries also have the potential to result in life-threatening complications, like blood clots. Death can also occur from a dog bite. If a dog bites you on the neck, the trauma and blood loss can be fatal.

Although they’re not visible, emotional injuries can also be severe. People who experience dog bites often have to deal with phobias, with many not just fearing dogs but all kinds of animals. PTSD is also common, with people reliving the attack and experiencing anxiety and depression.