Dog bites often lead to severe health complications, including infections or the possibility of rabies exposure. These complications can require costly medical treatments and long recovery times. If you’ve been bitten by a dog and have contracted an infection or faced the risk of rabies, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
We’re here to help you pursue infection-related claims and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Understanding Rabies and Infection Risks After a Dog Bite
What You Need to Know About Rabies and Dog Bite Infections
Rabies and bacterial infections are serious health risks associated with dog bites that can lead to long-term health consequences. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to minimize complications. Key concerns include:
- Rabies: A life-threatening viral infection that can be transmitted through saliva or a bite from an infected animal. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown or the dog shows signs of rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment is crucial to prevent the virus from progressing to the nervous system, as rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
- Bacterial Infections: Dog bites can introduce harmful bacteria like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, or Streptococcus, leading to severe local or systemic infections. Symptoms may include swelling, redness, fever, and, in advanced cases, sepsis. Without timely treatment, these infections may result in permanent tissue damage or other serious health issues.
Both rabies exposure and bacterial infections can lead to long-term health consequences, including nerve damage, tissue loss, and emotional trauma.
How We Can Help You Pursue a Rabies or Infection-Related Claim
Seek Compensation for Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Pain and Suffering
If you’ve been exposed to rabies or suffered an infection due to a dog bite, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs alone. We can help you recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Including emergency care, rabies shots, antibiotics, hospital stays, surgeries, and follow-up treatments.
- Lost Wages: If you were unable to work due to your infection or the recovery process, you can seek compensation for lost wages and any future loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical and emotional pain caused by infection and rabies exposure can be included in your claim.
- Long-Term Health Complications: Severe infections may result in long-term health complications, including nerve damage, significant scarring, joint issues, or chronic pain. We’ll ensure these potential long-term effects are fully considered in your compensation claim.
We understand the serious health risks associated with rabies and infections, and we’ll fight to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for all medical and emotional damages.
Signs You May Have an Infection After a Dog Bite
How to Recognize Infection Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Help
Dog bite infections can escalate quickly, so it’s important to monitor the injury and seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Redness and Swelling: If the area around the bite becomes red, swollen, or warm to the touch, this could indicate an infection.
- Pain and Tenderness: Increasing pain or tenderness around the bite area can be a sign that an infection is developing.
- Pus or Discharge: The presence of pus, blood, or other discharge from the wound is a common sign of infection.
- Fever or Chills: If you develop a fever or chills, it may indicate that the infection has spread into your bloodstream.
- Difficulty Moving the Affected Area: If the bite is near a joint or muscle, and you’re having difficulty moving that part of your body, it could mean the infection is worsening or spreading to deeper tissues.
- Fatigue or Malaise: General feelings of weakness or being unwell can indicate that your body is fighting an infection.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Early treatment is crucial to prevent the infection from worsening and to avoid severe health complications.
Who Is Liable for Rabies and Infection-Related Injuries?
Holding the Dog Owner Responsible for Your Health Complications
In California, strict liability laws generally hold dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of the animal’s prior behavior. If you contracted an infection or faced rabies exposure due to a dog bite, you may be able to pursue a claim against the dog owner. Liability may be established if:
- The Dog’s Vaccination Status Was Inadequate: If the dog was not up-to-date on rabies vaccinations or the owner could not provide proof of vaccination, this negligence can be grounds for a claim.
- Negligence Contributed to the Bite: If the dog owner failed to follow local leash laws, properly secure the dog, or take precautions to prevent an attack by a known dangerous animal, they may be considered negligent and held responsible for any resulting health complications, including rabies exposure or infections.
- Violation of Local Animal Control Regulations: If the dog owner ignored regulations regarding dangerous animals or leash requirements, this could strengthen your claim for damages.
Our legal team will investigate the details of your case and determine the best way to hold the responsible parties accountable for your infection-related injuries.
How We Prove Liability in Infection and Rabies Claims
Building a Strong Case for Maximum Compensation
We are experienced in handling complex infection-related claims and will take the following steps to build a strong case:
- Gather Medical Records: We will collect your medical records to document your treatment for the infection or rabies exposure and show the severity of your injuries.
- Prove the Dog Owner’s Negligence: We will collect evidence such as witness statements, veterinary records showing the dog’s vaccination history, and proof of any local law violations to establish that the dog owner acted negligently, leading to your infection or rabies exposure.
- Work with Medical Experts: We collaborate with medical professionals who can provide expert testimony on the severity of your infection or rabies exposure and the long-term health effects.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Our team will handle negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your medical expenses and emotional suffering.
- Litigate if Necessary: If a fair settlement is not offered, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’ll be with you every step of the way, ensuring that you receive the full compensation needed to recover from your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Rabies and Infection-Related Claims in Dog Bite Cases
How do I know if the dog that bit me has rabies?
Animal control authorities can determine the rabies status of the dog by reviewing its vaccination records or conducting testing if the dog is available for observation. If testing is not possible or the dog’s status is unknown, preventive treatment may be recommended.
Can I still file a claim if I didn’t get rabies but was treated for it?
Yes, you can file a claim for compensation for the costs associated with PEP and related medical treatments, as undergoing rabies treatment is a reasonable precaution when there is uncertainty about the dog’s vaccination status.
What should I do if my dog bite becomes infected?
If you develop an infection or other complications after the initial dog bite, you may still have grounds to file a claim. It’s important to seek medical treatment promptly, document all medical visits and treatments, and consult with an attorney to understand your legal options.