Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites send nearly 368,000 people to hospital emergency rooms each year, with children being 3 times more likely to be the victim of a serious dog bite.

Dog bites can range from minor to serious, and while rare, can even be fatal. Most dog bites are to the face and involve the nose, cheeks and lips.  Serious dog bites can leave the victim with fractured bones, disfiguring scars and infection.  According to the CDC, in 2006 more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.  Besides the physical aftermath, often there is also emotional and psychological trauma which occurs following a dog bite incident which can effect both the victim and the person observing the attack. 

Medical costs associated with dog bites are often very high since they can involve emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery and psychological counseling.  If you or someone you know was injured or killed by a dog, you may have the right to be bring legal action against the person who has, or should have had, control over the animal.  Dog owners are required to control and restrain their animal to ensure the public’s safety and when they do not you are entitled to damages for medical expenses, any lost wages you may have suffered, pain and suffering and possibly punitive damages. 

For more information and a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr. at (913) 677-1999.