Dog Bite Lawyer Columbia, SC

If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, you may want to consult a Columbia, SC dog bite attorney. You may be entitled to compensation. A lawyer can help you bring a timely personal injury claim and protect your rights.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs may bite out of fear or stress and can cause a wide range of injuries. Some of these injuries are fairly minor while others are life-threatening. Here are the most common dog bite injuries that you should know about.

• Lacerations

  Lacerations refer to deep cuts in the skin that reach the muscles, bones and nerves. They can cause intense pain and heavy bleeding. That is why it’s essential to get prompt medical attention. Lacerations often require stitches.

• Abrasions

  Abrasions are much less severe than lacerations because they do not go past the epidermis. While these injuries can usually be treated at home, you may want to see a doctor just in case. You do not want to risk infection or other complications.

• Infection

  When a dog bites you, there is always a risk of infection. The bacteria from the dog’s mouth can get into your body. Signs of infection include redness, pain and swelling. If you believe you have an infection, seek immediate medical care, as it can be life-threatening. Cleaning the wound immediately may help reduce your risk of infection.

• Crushing injuries

  As a Columbia dog bite attorney can confirm, larger dogs have a higher chance of causing crushing injuries in an attack. They have strong jaws that can crush or break the bones and harm the muscles and soft tissues.

• Rabies

   After getting bitten by a dog, you also have a chance of contracting rabies, which can be deadly. Symptoms of a rabies infection include difficulty speaking, muscle spasms, confusion and paralysis. Find out if the dog that bit you has received a rabies shot. If it hasn’t, seek immediate emergency medical attention.

• Eye Injuries

  Dog attacks can also inflict eye injuries, like orbital fractures, corneal abrasion, eye bleeding and avulsions. These injuries can be very painful and even lead to vision loss.

• Scars

  If a dog bite was deep enough, it can leave behind permanent scars. These scars can be quite noticeable and lower your self-esteem. You may need to have plastic surgery to correct them.

• Nerve damage

  If the dog bite reaches the nerves, you may suffer nerve damage. This can cause temporary or permanent loss of function in that part of your body. Sometimes nerve damage can cause paralysis.

• Emotional Distress

  Dog bites do not just cause physical injuries. They can also lead to emotional distress. You may become afraid of all the dogs after the incident or develop depression. It may be helpful to seek mental health counseling.

If you want to pursue a claim for a dog bite, you may want to schedule a consultation with a Columbia dog bite attorney from Woron and Dhillon, LLC. They have the experience to know what the next best step is to take for your particular case.