Each day residents of Butler County are injured in a variety of accidents. While many of those injuries are due to car crashes, there are of course other ways in which people might be hurt. Sometimes it is the result of a dog bite. In the worst cases these bites can result in death. Even dog bites considered to be minor can be dangerous however, if infection sets in. Unfortunately, the demographic most commonly affected by dog bites is children.
Dog bites inflicted on any part of the body can be devastating. This is particularly true when it a bite is inflicted upon the face of a victim. Because of the delicate soft tissue and bone combination present on human faces, for best results, repairs often need to be done by cosmetic surgeons. According to one study, close to 70 percent of those who suffer dog bites on their face each year are not even 5-years-old.
There are several steps that individuals of all ages can take to minimize their chances of being bitten by a dog including:
- Giving dogs their own space
- Keeping one’s hands and face away from the dog’s face
- Establishing a relationship with the animal over a period of time
Under certain circumstances, victims of dog bites may find it appropriate seek representation from a Pittsburgh dog bite lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit against the owner of the animal. The decision to do this will be based upon a variety of factors including the severity of the injury and the situation in which the bite occurred. An experienced personal injury attorney in Pittsburgh who handles such cases can help determine if such a claim is worth it.
Source: Ravalli Republic, “Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to dog bite injuries,” John Holtzen, Jan. 29, 2013