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Watch out for catastrophic dog bite injuries

On Behalf of | Apr 5, 2021 | Catastrophic Personal Injuries

Dogs are man’s best friend, but they also have the potential to be violent, dangerous and vicious. While most dogs will never bare their teeth at a human, those that do can cause serious harm and catastrophic injuries to their victims.

Some of the most common serious injuries in dog bite cases include:

  • Crushing injuries to the muscles, tissues and bones
  • Lacerations from tearing that leave behind disfigurement
  • Infections that can lead to sepsis or amputations

All of these have the potential to be catastrophic in nature depending on the severity of the bite and the treatment following the injury. Let’s look at each of these:

Crushing injuries

Crushing injuries are the first thing to watch out for. When a dog bites, it exerts around 230 to 250 pounds per square inch (psi) of force. That’s enough to crush bones and cause acute damage to muscles, ligaments and other tissues. Fractures are possible due to crushing force or other movements by the dog. Fractures can be even more serious if they break through the victim’s skin since there is an increased risk of infection.

Lacerations

When bitten, a person may have puncture wounds or lacerations. Lacerations are devastating when the dog shakes its head because those are jagged, deep wounds that may literally tear flesh from bone

Infections

Finally, infections are among the worst injuries dogs can cause. Rabies, tetanus and other diseases may be possible if a dog has not been vaccinated. Even with vaccination, bacteria in the dog’s mouth can cause infections that spread quickly and lead to sepsis, amputations and the need for surgical intervention.

As you can see, dog bites have the potential to be catastrophic. If you’re bitten, seek medical care as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you fight for fair compensation once your condition is stable.