Journal reports that dog bites on the hand can cause big problems

On Behalf of | Jan 20, 2015 | Dog Bites & Animal Attacks |

We are all aware that a vicious bite from a dog can cause a serious injury. When a dog attacks, the victim can be left with deep puncture wounds and even tears in the flesh that obviously require treatment. But what can be less apparent is the damage done by a small bite on the hand.

It is not unusual for a dog to give a human a quick nip on the hand. Sometimes such a bite is done in the course of play and was not intended in an aggressive way. Therefore, it can be easy to overlook what may develop into a serious injury. The fact is that emergency departments see approximately 300,000 dog bite cases annually.

An article recently published in a medical journal reports that it is extremely important to treat a bite on the hand promptly. A bite could leave a hand infected or disabled. The injury could even necessitate the hand being amputated.

The reason the hand is so vulnerable is because it has tendons and joints which contain closed spaces. After a bite, bacteria can thrive in these spaces. Antibiotics are generally unable to get into these areas. This means if an infection does develop, a doctor will have to remove it surgically.

What this article demonstrates is how harmful a dog bite can be. All bite wounds should be cleaned immediately. The victim should then be seen by a medical professional.

Dog bites that result from an attack can be both physically and emotionally traumatizing. If it was an owned dog that caused the injury, then its owner should be held accountable. If you or a member of your family are ever bitten by a dog, you may be eligible for compensation from the dog’s owner.

A Texas personal injury attorney could look into the situation and offer guidance and advice regarding the various possible avenues of legal action.

Source: EMaxHealth, “Don’t Shake Off Hand Bites From Pets, People,” Deborah Mitchell, Jan. 10, 2015