Were you in a situation where you ended up getting bitten by a dog? At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we understand that dog bites are often traumatic events that result in major injuries, emotional distress, and long-term complications.
While we aren’t able to go back in time and undo what was done to you, know that you’re not alone—a Plymouth dog bite lawyer is here to help. With 21-plus years in business, we have recovered more than $250 million in compensation across over 15,000 cases.
We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. When you contact a Plymouth personal injury lawyer from our firm, we’ll respond within 24 hours because we know time is of the essence.
Common Injuries Resulting from Dog Bites
Dog bites often cause a wide range of injuries, some of which likely will be long-lasting. The severity of your injuries will typically depend on the size of the dog, the location of the bite, and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
In general, these are common injuries that people sustain after being bitten by a dog:
- Puncture wounds: Dog bites tend to result in deep puncture wounds that cause major bleeding and require medical attention. These types of injuries are susceptible to infection and sometimes require you to undergo stitches or other medical interventions.
- Lacerations and abrasions: In addition to puncture wounds, dog bites will likely cause lacerations known as deep cuts and abrasions like scrapes or grazes. These may require stitches. They likely will also leave you with scarring for the rest of your life.
- Broken bones: In cases where a dog bites and shakes you, fractures or broken bones are likely. These injuries often require surgery that coincides with an extended recovery time.
- Infections: Dog bites carry a risk of infection because dogs harbor a lot of bacteria in their mouths. Common infections that result from dog bites include cellulitis, a skin infection, as well as tetanus and rabies, especially if the dog was not vaccinated.
- Nerve damage: A dog bite will likely seriously damage your nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in the affected area. This type of injury will likely require long-term therapy or rehabilitation for the foreseeable future.
- Emotional trauma: In addition to physical injuries, dog bite victims often suffer from emotional trauma, particularly if the bite was traumatic. Many victims develop a fear of dogs, which has a lasting impact on their mental health and overall quality of life.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Dog bites will likely leave permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially when the victims are children. The recovery process might require reconstructive surgery.
Medical Treatment and Costs After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment, even if the wound seems minor. Some bites will not appear serious at first, but it’s not uncommon for matters to worsen and develop into more serious injuries if they go untreated.
Prompt medical attention will likely prevent infections and reduce the likelihood of long-term complications. In general, victims of dog bites often need to receive the following after the incident:
- Emergency care: This includes cleaning and closing the wound, administering antibiotics, and evaluating the risk of infection or disease.
- Tetanus shots: If the bite was deep or the dog that bit you could have done so with an unclean mouth, a tetanus shot will likely be necessary to prevent you from developing an infection.
- Rabies shots: If the dog that bit you was not up to date on rabies vaccinations—or its vaccination status was unknown—you might need to undergo a series of rabies shots as a precautionary measure.
- Follow-up care: Depending on the severity of the bite, follow-up appointments will likely be necessary to monitor the healing process and address any complications that arise.
The Legal Process Your Dog Bite Attorney in Plymouth Will Help You With as a Personal Injury Victim
If you decide to pursue a dog bite claim in Massachusetts, the process typically involves filing a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner. Your Plymouth dog bite attorney will help you seek compensation for your injuries.
If a settlement cannot be reached after negotiating with the dog owner’s insurance provider, your case might go to court. At that point, both sides will present their evidence, and a judge or jury will determine the outcome.
It is important to note that Massachusetts follows a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, meaning you have a limited amount of time to file your claim. For dog bite cases, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of the injury.
Reach Out to Our Dog Bite Law Firm in Plymouth Today for More Information
Experiencing a dog bite is often a traumatic event that leaves you with physical scars and emotional distress for years after the fact. As a result, the days and weeks following an incident like this will likely be overwhelming. Fortunately, you’re not alone—a dog bite attorney in Plymouth is here to help.
If a dog has bitten you, it’s important to act as quickly as possible, especially if you want to protect your rights and pursue compensation in your case. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, our attorneys will walk you through every step of the legal process.
We are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and recovering compensation on your behalf. Reach out today to schedule a consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you never need to reach into your pocket to pay us—that’s the Stone Cold Guarantee®.
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