Animal bites are a serious public health hazard that cause a great deal of physical and emotional damage to victims and many hidden costs to communities. Animal bites can cause disfigurement, infection, permanent disability and may even be life-threatening.

A study by The American Veterinary Medical Association showed that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten each year by dogs. The same study also found that 334,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms each year due to dog bite-related injuries and another 466,000 are seen in other medical settings. Almost half of the dog bite victims are children under the age of 12. Ten per cent of those bitten and 20% of those killed are people over the age of 70. The Center for Disease Control found that in 1997-1998, 27 people died from dog bites, and that 19 of them were children under 15 years of age.

Costs from dog bite injuries are high. It is estimated that 1 billion dollars per year of homeowners' liability claims result from dog bites. It is also estimated that $102.4 million dollars in hospital expenses for dog bite-related emergency visits occur each year. In addition to these costs, there are lost wages, medical insurance claims, workers' compensation claims and sick leave-associated business costs.

An animal bite victim can help protect his or her rights by taking certain steps. It is important to remember to get medical attention right away, obtain the name and address of the owner of the dog as well as the dog's license information, find out if a report has been filed with animal control or another law enforcement agency, take the name, phone number and address of any potential witnesses, take pictures of the injuries (bruises, cuts, scrapes, stitches or scars), find out the location where the incident took place and the condition of the clothing in the area bitten. If an animal attacks, the owner is responsible for keeping the animal away from people and other pets.

Many dog bite victims worry about what might happen to the dog. In minor cases, the dog may be quarantined for a short period of time. In cases where the dog is found to be potentially dangerous, the dog may be confined inside the home or within a suitable fence. In cases where the dog is found to be vicious, the court will determine the outcome on a case by case basis.

Due to the complexities of the law involving animal bites, it is important for animal bite victims to hire an attorney who can tackle the complex legal issues and protect the victim's rights.

The law firm of Lloyd Baker Attorneys has the knowledge and experience you need. We have an experienced qualified staff that is ready to fight for your rights. We tell our clients- we want you to concentrate on the important things: getting healthy and returning to your day-to-day life, while our attorneys take care of the complicated legal issues and deal with the insurance company. We will work hard to protect your interests and get you the compensation you deserve.

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