Dog Liability

With 83.3 million dogs living in U.S. households, it is no wonder that dog attacks and dog-attack liability issues have become hot-button topics.

Discussion over dog liability is again heating up in the Maryland State Capitol.  On January 23, 2014, the House Judicial Committee will consider a bill sponsored by Delegate Luiz R.S. Simmons, D-Montgomery.  This bill would hold dog owners liable for damage caused by their dogs, based on the assumption that an owner knows or should know that their dog is dangerous.

What to Do if YOU Are Bitten by a Dog:

It’s important to see a doctor immediately if you’ve been attacked by a dog, even if you think your wound is not that bad.  You may not realize how deep the bite is and you may need antibiotics to treat an infection.

Your doctor will examine the injury to see if the bite damaged any muscles, tendons, nerves, or bones. Then the doctor will thoroughly clean the bite wound to remove any dirt or bacteria and bandage or suture the wound, if necessary.

Be sure to ask the dog’s owner about the dog’s rabies immunization status.  If the owner is not available, law enforcement personnel will help you gather any required information.

Post-Attack Physical Therapy

Dominic Solesky, the 10-year-old victim of the pit bull attack that prompted the 2012 Maryland Court of Appeals case, was so badly mauled that he needed a year of physical therapy to recover from his injuries.

Depending on the severity of an attack, a simple trip to the doctor may be fine.  However, a dog bite could damage tendons, muscle, or cause other more severe injuries.  In such cases, an orthopedic surgeon may be required to repair damaged tissue, and physical therapy may be required in order to promote full healing.

If you have been injured in a dog attack, the skilled professionals at Multi-Specialty HealthCare can provide diagnostic and surgical services. Call us at 1-888-334-4199 for more information.