It is nearly impossible to leave your home or office in Michigan without encountering a dog or two. According to statistics1 published by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), more than 43 million households owned dogs in 2012. For dog lovers, this statistic should come as no surprise. Dogs can be excellent companions and even perform vital functions for people who have limited mobility or other disabilities. Unfortunately, dogs are also capable of causing serious injury when they attack. They are natural carnivores with extremely powerful jaws that can easily rip and tear through flesh and bone. As a result, people who are attacked by dogs often sustain extremely serious s injuries that may lead to significant medical complications.
Fortunately for people who are injured by dogs, Michigan dog bite law2 often allows victims to recover for their losses, including their medical expenses and physical and emotional pain and suffering. Below is some information about the kinds of complications that can occur after a dog bite. For specific information regarding your case, contact a Michigan dog bite attorney as soon as possible.
Infections – Contrary to what you may have heard at one point in your life, dogs’ mouths are not “cleaner” than ours. In fact, as dogs do not have hands with opposable thumbs, they tend to explore the world with their mouths, resulting in their mouths harboring millions of potentially harmful bacteria. When dogs bite people, these bacteria can cause serious infections that may require intensive medical treatment and even hospitalization.
Nerve damage – Dog bites can easily cause damage to a person’s nerves, which are responsible for transmitting electrical impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. Nerve damage can cause changes in sensation, muscle weakness, and even paralysis in some cases. Furthermore, Nerve damage is notoriously difficult to treat, meaning that these kinds of injuries can often become permanent.
Emotional problems and a fear of dogs – Often, people who are bitten or attacked by dogs develop a significant phobia of dogs that affects their day to day life. These kinds of issues have the potential to result in anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often requiring significant medical treatment.
Contact a Michigan dog bite lawyer today to retain legal representation
Dog bites can leave victims with medical complications that can affect them for years or even decades. As a result, the damages available in many dog bite cases can be significant and may reflect the costs of ongoing medical care, years of long income and opportunity, and compensation for long-term physical and emotional side effects. The experienced personal injury attorneys of Michigan Injury Lawyers are committed to representing the legal rights of people who have been injured by the negligence of others and have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of their clients. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Michigan dog bite attorneys, call our office today at (313) 438-4357.
References:
1 https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-research-statistics-US-pet-ownership.aspx
2 http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28thufvsbb0tuj1lkfmzrgye4c%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-287-351