The Costs of Arizona Dog Bites: Medical & Physical
Medical expenses following a dog bite are usually costly, and many times it is more than the average person may have, making it difficult to pay for needed medical services. Unexpected medical costs are even harder to understand, as they could be the result of a medical accident that your personal budget did not plan for. Dog bite-related injuries or even fatalities are very expensive depending on the type of injury, if it is a fatality, unfortunately one must consider the cost of a funeral. According to the American Family Physician publication, over 3 million people are bitten by a dog and suffer a dog-bite related injury and nearly a million are treated at a hospital. Immediate medical attention through the Emergency Room is very expensive. The Center for Disease Control estimates the total costs for dog bite-related injuries to be nearly $250 million dollars a year. This does not include funeral costs if the victim’s attack is fatal. An Arizona Dog Bite Attorney can help you recover medical costs if a dog has injured you or someone you know or even killed someone you love. The owner is responsible and legally liable for both physical and emotional injuries you may incur from their dangerous canine. According to the American Family Physician publication, the immediate costs of dog bite-related injuries tend to grow, as sometimes more complications stem from the initial dog bite-related injury. For example puncture wounds or open wounds to any extremity, including the face, can cause an infection. Almost 40 species of organisms have been associated with dog bites. That single infection could then progress to a more complicated injury than previously suspected. Therefore, costs for different conditions grow in price and can become very expensive for a family.Possible Medical Complications after Dog Bite-Related Injuries:
• Canine Diseases – Rabies
• Liver Dysfunction
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Chronic Edema
• Systemic Lupus
• Prosthetic valve or joint
• Facial reconstruction
• Internal Bleeding
• Emotional Damage
Typical Physical Injuries after a Dog Bite
• Puncture wounds
• Severe Bleeding
• Extremity Swelling
• Heavy Bruising
• Deep tissue Lacerations & Abrasions
• Fractures
According to the American Veterinary Medical association, the insurance industry estimates it pays more than $1 billion per year in homeowners’ liability claims because of dog bite-related injuries or fatalities. Possible Costs:
• Medical
• Funeral Expenses
• Workman’s Compensation
• Lost Wages
• Sick Leave
• Business Costs
• Physical Therapy Costs
• Psychological Therapy
If you were ever in a dog attack it is important not to run away because that will draw more unwanted attention from the dog. If you are knocked to the floor, immediately put your body into the fetal position and cover your face. Some prevention during a dog bite may not always be affective, but it can help lower the type of injury you sustain. Contact an Arizona Dog Bite Attorney if any dog bite-related injuries in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County have occurred. Fatal or not, an Arizona dog bite injury lawyer can help you understand the severity of the matter. You should not have to pay for medical costs or even funeral costs alone. For more information about dog bite-related injuries and topics see http://www.azdogbitefirm.com