A study published in 2010 revealed that the number of Americans hospitalized for dog bite injuries nearly doubled during a 15-year period. During 2008, approximately 316,200 emergency room visits and approximately 9,500 hospital stays involved a dog bite. The average dog bite-related hospital stay cost nearly $19,000, which was approximately 50 percent more than costs associated with the average injury-related hospital stay.
Emergency room visits related to dog bites were highest in the Northeast and one other United States region and dog bite-related hospitalizations were the highest in the Northeast. Injuries related to dog bite hospitalizations included open wounds, skin and tissue infections, and fractures. Dog bite injuries can lead to serious, and unexpected, physical and emotional scars. Because of the serious impact a dog attack can have on victims, legal action may be necessary to cover a victim’s damages.
Victims of a dog attack who have suffered a dog bite injury may be able to recover compensation for the harm they have suffered through the personal injury legal process. Dog bite victims may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, in addition to other losses. In Massachusetts, dog bite victims can take some comfort in the fact that pet owners are held strictly liable for the damages their pets cause, meaning that winning a lawsuit may be easier.
Coping with a dog bite injury can be costly, both emotionally and financially. No one should have to live with the stress, pain, and financial loss associated with these injuries. Therefore, those who have been hurt by a dog bite or dog attack should think about speaking with a legal professional who may be able to help them assess their case.
Source: Dogsbite.com, “Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008,” Accessed Oct. 24, 2015
