Were you or a loved one recently attacked by a dog in Dundalk, Maryland? Do you think the injury could have been prevented if the dog owner or person responsible for it had acted more cautiously? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has assisted hundreds of clients who were bitten by dogs or otherwise victimized by the actions of negligent parties. Contact us today at (410) 970-3080 for a free, no-obligation case review with an experienced Dundalk dog bite lawyer.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite in Dundalk
Dog bites can lead to serious injuries that demand your full attention. Our Dundalk personal injury lawyers can handle the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on your recovery. With 100 years of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars collected for our clients, we’re well-equipped to help you with your case as well.
When you retain WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, you can trust us to do the following:
- Guide you through the legal process – Our experienced lawyers can explain the legal process and the steps to take moving forward to advance your dog bite injury claim. We can also answer questions you have throughout the claim.
- Investigate the claim – We can conduct a thorough investigation to determine how the dog bite occurred and how it could have been prevented.
- Manage your claim – From handling your paperwork to ensuring we meet all applicable deadlines in your case, we will manage your claim in a timely and professional manner so you can focus on your health.
- Handle communication – You may be receiving correspondence from healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other parties related to your claim. Our compassionate legal team can act on your behalf and handle all such communication for you.
- Negotiate for fair compensation – Our attorneys can fight for maximum compensation for your claim, in or out of the courtroom.
You can learn more about how we can help when you call our law offices in Dundalk, MD, for a free consultation.
Dog Bites in Maryland – A Serious Problem
Every year, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs. About 1,000 people require emergency medical treatment following a dog bite every day. A comprehensive report showed that 233 people were discharged from hospitals following dog bites in Maryland in one recent year.
While any dog can potentially bite, research shows that dogs that are more likely to bite include the following breeds:
- Pit bulls
- Mixed breeds
- German shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Terriers
If you were bitten by a dog, reach out to the dedicated dog bite lawyers with WGK Personal Injury Lawyers. We want to help make things right and ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another unsuspecting family. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dundalk dog bite victims can suffer various serious dog bite injuries. The actual injuries they suffer depend on many factors, including the size and breed of the dog, the dog’s medical history, the bite location, and how long the attack occurred.
Some common dog bite injuries and dog bite attack injuries include:
- Scarring and disfigurement – Some dog bites can result in injuries that require stitches or skin grafts, which can disfigure the victim. Reconstructive surgery may be necessary. In 2018, 27,000 people required reconstructive surgery after being bitten by a dog.
- Facial injuries – Children are more likely than adults to be bit by a dog. Due to their lower stature, child dog bite injuries often include head and facial injuries that can result in scarring and permanent disfigurement.
- Severe bleeding – Dog bites can lead to severe bleeding if the dog bites into a major artery. Emergency medical treatment may be necessary to stop the bleeding.
- Nerve damage – A dog’s teeth can puncture nerves, leading to temporary or permanent damage. Surgery or other treatments may be necessary to repair damaged nerves.
- Puncture wounds – Dogs can cause severe puncture wounds with their teeth. Many times, these wounds cannot be stitched.
- Broken bones – A dog that puts a human’s arm or leg in its mouth can cause painful breaks.
- Soft tissue injuries – Some dog bites can result in injuries to the tissue, tendons, or ligaments.
- Cuts and lacerations – Dog bites can lead to cuts and lacerations, as can injuries caused by a dog jumping on a person or from the victim falling during an attack.
- Infections – Dogs can also transmit dangerous diseases to their human victims, including rabies and MRSA. This is because many dogs have dangerous germs within their saliva that is transferred during a bite. One out of five bites becomes infected. Signs of an infection include redness, pain, and puss. If the dog has rabies, you will need a vaccine to prevent death or serious injury.
- PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder can follow any type of traumatizing event. Victims may suffer from PTSD after a dog attack, which may be triggered any time they see a dog.
These injuries require prompt medical attention.
What To Do After a Dog Attack in Dundalk
If you or a loved one are attacked by a dog, follow these steps to protect your health and legal claim:
- Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean, dry cloth.
- Wash the wound and apply an antibacterial ointment to the wound.
- Place a dry, sterile bandage on the wound.
- Seek emergency medical treatment.
- Ask for the dog’s rabies and veterinarian records.
- Call animal control.
- Photograph your injuries before and after treatment.
Also, reach out to a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible for additional help safeguarding your rights.
Maryland Dog Bite Laws
Maryland uses strict liability in the case of dog attacks. This means that if you are bitten by a dog, the law presumes the dog owner is responsible for your injuries. The law assumes the dog’s owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous. There is no one free bite. You also don’t have to show the owner was negligent.
It is possible for a dog owner to step outside the strict liability system. For example, the dog owner may try to show you were trespassing at the time of the attack. Or, the dog owner may try to argue that you provoked the dog. This defense could prevent you from recovering compensation because of Maryland’s pure contributory negligence system, which bars recovery to personal injury victims who contributed to their injuries to any degree.
The legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers understand Maryland’s complex dog bite laws. We can put our knowledge and experience to use to help demand maximum compensation on your behalf.
Potential Compensation for Dog Bite Injury Victims
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you may have several pathways to obtain compensation for your injuries. The Insurance Information Institute reports that homeowners’ insurance claims paid out more than $1 billion for dog bite injury claims. Through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages you suffered as a result of the canine attack.
Economic damages are losses that have a financial price attached to them and include things like payment for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Ongoing healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage for any personal property destroyed during the attack
Non-economic damages are losses the law recognizes personal injury victims suffer but that cannot be quantified as easily. Non-economic damages pay you for losses such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced dog bite lawyer from WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can review the circumstances surrounding your claim and explain the damages that might be available to you.
What Is My Dundalk Dog Bite Case Worth?
One of the most common questions our lawyers receive is, “What is my case worth?” Unfortunately, there is no simple, straightforward answer to this. Every person is different, so every personal injury claim is different, too. The potential value of your claim can depend on factors such as:
- The dog bite location on your body
- The severity of the bite
- How long it will take you to recover
- The type of medical treatment you required
- Whether the dog bite resulted in any permanent scarring or disfigurement
- How the dog bite affected your life
- The available insurance
Would you like more information on how personal injury claims are valued? If so, reach out to WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for targeted legal advice and representation.
Do You Need a Dundalk Dog Bite Attorney? Call WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Did a dog bite you or a loved one? If so, do not hesitate to reach out to the Dundalk dog bite lawyers from WGK Personal Injury Lawyers. We understand Maryland’s dog bite laws and can use our extensive experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (410) 970-3080 for your free case review.
