Facial Dog Bite Attorney

Facial Dog Bite Attorney

According to research done by State Farm Insurance, California is the state where dog bites happen the most when compared to any other state. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is about 4.5 million dog bites reported each year in the United States. Among those, about 20% require immediate medical attention. California made up the majority of dog bite claims in America. California made up about 18.7 million in payments regarding dog bite injuries in the year 2019. Although dog bites are sometimes overlooked, a third of all homeowner’s liability insurance claims are for dog bite insurance. According to State Farm, the average payout of a dog bite insurance is around $37,000.

During the covid-19 pandemic, many homeowners adopted dogs as a safety precaution for their home. Not only were the dogs an extra friend in the home during lockdown, they also provided protection from unlawful intruders.

It is important to hire an experienced dog bite attorney. Dog bites can be very complex and difficult to navigate within the legal process. There can be several injuries plaintiff is trying to bring against a defendant. It is also important to hire an attorney who is very aware and understands California laws relating to dog bite statutes. Each state has a different statute regarding dog bites. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims of dog bites in California, and have various offices in major cities around California including Fresno, Irvine, and Los Angeles.

Facial Dog Bite Injury Severity

Facial dog bites are one of the most traumatizing experiences a victim may have. This results in severe medical injuries and may need long-term medical treatment, especially if the victim is a child. Every year, there have been millions of dollars spent on facial reconstruction following dog bites. Facial dog bites usually occur when a person places their face close to a dog, and the dog responds with aggressive behavior. Usually, when someone places their face close to a dog, the dog feels as if their privacy has been intruded, and responds with defensive aggressive behavior. Studies show that during the 76% of facial dog bites that occurred in 2019, the victim had bent over the dog and placed their face in the dog’s face. More than 75% of facial bites happened to victims who knew the dog. Children are most likely to be bitten on the face than adults.

Most Common Dog Bites By Breed

In 2018, over 35 dog breeds contributed to about 433 deaths within 13 years. Pit bulls contributed to 66% of these deaths. Among those breeds, the top breeds that led to fatalities include Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, mixed breeds, and Bulldogs.

What To Do After a Dog Bites Your Face

A dog bite in the face is especially common with children. With adults, a dog usually bites other parts of the body, including the legs. The main concern of a dog bite is to prevent any other future infections. Patients must take antibiotics for a couple days, possibly even weeks, depending on the type of bite. It is advised to see a doctor within 8 hours after a dog bite has occurred. The longer you wait, the more likely the infection will spread and get serious. Those that have immunocompromised diseases such as cancer or diabetes are more likely to get an infection from a dog bite. After being bitten by dog in the face, there are specific steps one can take to prevent the injury from getting worse.

1.  Immediately after being bitten in the face, the wound should be washed with an unscented soap and warm tap water. The wound should be rinsed for about 5 to 10 minutes.
2.  Make sure the cloth used to stop the bleeding is a clean cloth. Usually, paper towels may be too thin and could end up falling apart when soaked in blood.
3.  Temporarily apply triple antibiotic cream to the wound until the patient is taken to the hospital.
4. The patient should be taken to the hospital and see a doctor within 8 hours of being bitten. The closer the wounds are to the eyes and mouth, the less time the patient has to see the doctor.
5. The doctor most likely will advise the patient to take antibiotic medication, along with changing the bandage that covers the wound.
6. Always make sure that the bandage is changed every couple hours to prevent an infection.
7. Keep an eye out on the wound for any possible infections. If the wound becomes inflamed, that is likely a sign that the wound is infected.