A dog bite can be one of the most horrific injuries that anyone can suffer from. Besides the physical harm that a dog bite can inflict, it can leave a victim emotionally impaired, nervous and/or fearful, and ashamed due to permanent scars. If you or someone you love has suffered from a dog bite or dog attack in the Chicago area, then you may be able to recover damages with the help of a Chicago dog bite attorney.
Some Common Dog Bite Injuries
Some common injuries that can result from a dog bite or attack include:
- Puncture wounds
- Loss of body tissue
- Crushed bones or organs
- Sprains
- Scars
- Infections such as rabies, cellulitis, and C canimorsus
- Disability
- Deformity
Victims of dog bites to the face should be examined for any signs of nerve damage. Furthermore, an infection from a dog bite can sometimes result in a victim’s death. Therefore, it is important to get treatment immediately after a dog attack. Any medical expenses may be recovered through your personal injury claim.
Receiving Treatment
The first priority after a dog attack is to protect the victim from infection. By properly treating the wound, a physician can prevent sepsis, osteomyelitis, tenosynovitis, and septic arthritis. The physician must also find out if there is a possibility that the dog had rabies, and if so, treat the victim preventatively. It is also important to know whether the victim had the proper tetanus shots.
A dog bite to the face or neck may require special consideration. A hemorrhage of vessels in the neck can result in the victim’s death. In fact, most deaths that result from dog bite injuries are due this type of hemorrhage.
If there is heavily damaged body tissue, it may have to be cut away. Sometimes this tissue may be reattached by grafting, or replaced with tissue from other parts of the victim’s body. This may require various stages of reconstructive surgery.
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