Most of the time a family pet is friendly and well-behaved but there are still many people who are injured because of a dog bite each year. The United States Post Office recently released statistics from 2020 regarding the number of dog bites their postal workers received.
USPS releases 2020 dog bite data
The USPS recently reported that over 5,800 postal workers were bitten by dogs in 2020. This is clearly a big problem for those who deliver mail. Those who are injured by a dog can have serious long-term consequences. A dog bite can cause punctures and lacerations, infections from bacteria in the dog’s mouth, broken bones, bruises, etc. If the owner cannot be found, a person who has suffered a dog bite may need to go through a painful series of rabies shots. Long-term consequences of a dog bite include damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves, permanent scarring, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Personal injury attorney
An attorney who specializes in personal injury can help a dog bite victim. They can make sure their client receives prompt and thorough medical care and can help investigate what happened to cause the dog bite. They can also help the victim hold the owner responsible for their negligence. Generally, West Virginia holds dog owners strictly liable after their animals hurt someone else. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
A dog bite can have long-term consequences for a victim. They should understand that they have the legal right to hold a dog owner responsible for their negligence.
