Dog Bites Attorneys in Aurora, Colorado

Steps Following a Dog Bite

There are dog bites and there are dog bites. If a dog you know well gives you a one-time chomp when roughhousing, you should probably just clean the wound out and get on with the rest of your life. If you're attacked by a strange dog, off the leash, on the street, or in a park, however, you might be lucky to escape with your life.

Contact Western States Law, P.C., for a free consultation with an experienced Colorado dog bite personal injury lawyer if you or your child suffered serious injuries from dog bites or other animal attacks. Negligence law relating to animal attacks can be complicated, and you will probably need professional advice to recover the full range of damages that could result from the incident.

The Many States Have an Unusual Approach to Liability for Dog Bites.

In some cases, a dog owner could be held liable for personal injury damages caused by the dog only if the owner has been on notice of the dog's likelihood to attack. This was known as the “one free bite” rule. This rule did not apply to certain breeds of dogs known to have vicious propensities. Dog bite law in Colorado now allows you to recover certain damages whether or not the owner knew of the dog's vicious propensities. Like with many other laws, the dog bite law may be different depending on the state in which the attack occurred.

We Know how To Prove Liability and Damages in Dog Bite Cases.

At Western States Law, P.C., we know how to investigate Colorado dog bite cases to give you the strongest possible chance of success even in "first-bite" cases. We dive in with questions such as: What breed was the dog? What measures did the owner take to protect you or the general public? How was the dog treated or trained? Did the attack occur where small children were likely to be present? Was the dog provoked?

Whether or not the dog involved in your case had bitten before, the owner may be held liable for your medical expenses. In severe cases, involving extensive trauma to soft tissues or nerves, injuries, and medical expenses can be very substantial. Oftentimes, as the result of a dog bite, plastic surgery may be necessary even years down the road. We know how to document damages claims in dog bite cases so that any future treatment or surgery will be covered in your claim.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

When a dog or other animal attacks, the injuries can be serious and painful. Even a minor bite or a scratch may become infected which can lead to septicemia, loss of an extremity, and even wrongful death. While such complications may be rare, when they do happen, the results can be life-changing. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), 4.7 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, and 800,000 of those require medical care. This means a dog bites 1 out of every 50 people. There is a 1 in 112,000 chance of dying from a dog bite. Approximately 30,000 people a year require plastic or reconstructive surgery due to dog bites. The average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay is over $15,000.00.

Dog bite wounds can range from scrapes, cuts, and abrasions to more serious bite and puncture wounds. While there are a variety of dog bite injuries, the most common are:

• Puncture wounds

• Lacerations, scrapes, and abrasions

• Tissue or Muscle loss

• Fractured Bones

• Scars

• Infections

• Rabies

• Nerve Damage

• Death

Dog bites to the hands and face can be more serious and life-changing than bites or injuries to other parts of the body. To reduce scarring and disability, neurologists and plastic surgeons will often be necessary. Do not be afraid to ask the emergency room for a plastic surgeon if a dog has bitten you or a child on the face. Dog bites can become infected with staph and MRSA and lead to a variety of complications including cellulitis, septicemia, dis-figuration, amputation, and, in extreme cases, even wrongful death. Young children may suffer from teasing, self-esteem issues, emotional trauma, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms following a dog bite or animal attack.

Large dogs may cause more serious injuries. Their powerful jaws can fracture bones and remove large portions of muscle and tissue. In addition, a larger dog may cause deeper puncture wounds resulting in permanent scarring. The value of a case may depend on the location and severity of scarring. It is very important to document the scar and its progress through photographs.

More Information About Dog Bites:

• Dog Owner Liability

• Why Dogs Bite

• One Bite Laws

• Non-bite Injuries

• Dog Bite Investigations

• What To Do When Bitten

• Animal Attack Info