Puncture wounds and lacerations are serious injuries that could occur in a variety of ways. One of the dangers of puncture wounds and cuts is the possibility of debris inside the wound and the risk of serious infection. After sustaining this type of injury, you should seek immediate medical attention to avoid any further complications. If you or a family member sustained a serious puncture wound or laceration, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia puncture wound and laceration lawyer.
With over 40 years of combined legal experience, the injury lawyers at the Reiff Law Firm are equipped to help you handle your injury claim. We are dedicated to providing you with legal representation customized for your unique needs. To schedule a free legal consultation, call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
Puncture Wounds from Dog Bites
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are nearly five million dog bites every year, and about 800,000 of those bites require urgent medical care. To put this statistic into perspective, there are about 325 million people in the United States as of 2017; this means that 1 out of every 69 people will be a victim of a dog bite.
Many people believe that there are certain breeds of dogs that are more prone to biting than others. While the size of a dog should definitely be taken into account and larger, stronger dogs can cause more severe injuries, all breeds of dog are capable of biting if they feel provoked. You should not depend on the idea that only certain breeds of dog are capable of harming you.
If you are bitten by a dog and sustain a puncture wound or laceration, you should get immediate medical attention. Dog bites have a high likelihood of causing an infection in the victim, especially if a broken dog tooth becomes embedded in your skin. The following are signs and symptoms that your dog bite may be infected:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Fever
- Redness and warmth around the area of the bite
- Red streaks that developed from the bite
After being bitten by a dog, there is also a possibility of suffering from a rabies infection or even nerve damage. If you experience any of the symptoms above after being bitten by a dog, you should see a doctor. You should also inform the doctor of how you received your injury so that you can begin to document the incident in anticipation of litigation.
To recover against the owner of a dog for a dog bite, you need to show that the owner’s negligence caused your injury. The circumstances of the case will determine how easy or difficult it will be to establish negligence. For example, if the dog was off the leash and attacked you on a public street, it will likely be easy to establish negligence. It is also important to note that Pennsylvania has special rules when it comes to young children and dog bites. These rules might allow you to recover damages for your child even if they were responsible for the accident. There are also special laws about dogs that the owner knows to be dangerous.
Dog bites can leave victims with serious scars. Some people who were bitten by a dog may be disfigured or could live with emotional trauma in addition to a serious injury. This may be taken into account when you file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent dog owner.
You should also know that you only have two years to file a personal injury claim against a negligent dog owner. If you attempt to file your case after the filing deadline, the court may bar your claim and you will not have the opportunity to seek legal compensation.
Common Causes of Laceration or Puncture Injuries
There are other circumstances besides dog bites that can lead to a laceration or puncture injury. For example, being in a serious car accident can lead to various cuts and lacerations. The impact from another vehicle can shatter your vehicle’s windows and cause glass and other kinds of debris to scatter everywhere, injuring occupants.
Laceration and puncture injuries are also a common occurrence at construction sites. Construction sites are typically filled with all kinds of machinery that can cause a worker grievous injury if not operated correctly. For example, construction sites may have nail guns, forklifts, untreated wood pieces with splinters, and many other objects that can cause a cut or puncture wound. Our firm also handles several other types of cases that involve puncture wounds or lacerations:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- SEPTA accidents
- Surgical accidents
Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Puncture Wound and Laceration Attorney Today
If you or a family member was in an accident and suffered a serious puncture wound or laceration injury, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia puncture wound and laceration attorney today. The attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm are prepared to fight your injury claim. To schedule a free legal consultation, call us at (215) 709-6940.
