Serious Injury & |  |
Texas — Colorado |
Dog Bites
Almost 5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year. Sixty
percent of victims are children, but the elderly and home service workers, such
as letter carriers and meter readers, also are at the top of the dog-bite list.
Annually, dog bite victims requiring medical attention number 500,000 to 1
million, and about a dozen victims on average die.
Dog bites are very painful and quite often leave permanent physical and emotional scaring. Immediately after an attack, it is important to identify the dog and its owner. If the dog escaped from its owner's yard, it is important to take pictures of the point of escape, for example, a hole in the fence or rotted wood. It is also very important to take photographs of the wounds, if possible, before and after they are sutured. As soon as possible, you should report the bite to Animal Control who will investigate and make a report. Usually, they will pick up the animal and hold them until a determination of rabies can be made.
Physical scaring on minor children, as well as, adults should be reviewed by a plastic surgeon to determine whether scar revision will be necessary and if so, the amount of costs associated with such treatment.
Children are especially vulnerable to dog bites and often receive emotional scars that affect the quality of their life. For example, nightmares, abnormal fear of dogs, bed wetting, etc. If your child exhibits these or similar symptoms, it is very important to get them into counseling as soon as possible.
You may have a valid claim for dog bite if it was the result of:
- Negligence on the part of the dog owner;
- An intentional command to attack by the dog owner;
- A failure by the owner to follow city leash laws;
- A failure by the owner to maintain their fences;
- Unreasonable force by a police officer using a police dog; or
- A failure by a kennel to keep a dog from escaping.
HSSH has experienced dog bite lawyers and would be happy to discuss your claim with you. The consultation is free and if we do not make a recovery on your behalf, you owe us nothing.
Just call 800-753-5359 or 806-376-8903 (Texas office) or 303-333-2200 (Colorado office) or contact us by clicking here.
