Dog Bites and Liability in Delaware: Know Your Rights

Dog bites can lead to various medical costs like stitches, treatment of infections, and emergency wound care. You may not have to pay for all these costs if the dog owner was negligent. Exploring what legal options you may have can help you start taking steps that may increase your chances of compensation. Talk to a Wilmington personal injury lawyer to start figuring out what you can do next.
DOG BITE DANGERS
Not everyone realizes how many medical dangers can come from dog bites. Several dog bite dangers range from severe lacerations to serious infections. Seeking medical attention for serious dog bites is crucial for making sure these medical complications are managed properly.
Dog bite injuries range from mild to severe. The most common types of dog bite injuries involve puncture wounds, but they can also involve tears to the skin, lacerations, and full-thickness wounds. Full-thickness wounds run deeper into the tendons, ligaments, and joints in some cases.
Bites to certain areas of the body like the hands or face can result in deformities and may require reconstructive surgeries. In worse cases, infections may spread into other areas of the body and result in life-threatening complications. Rabies is another concern if the dog was rabid at the time of the bite.
Medical expenses from wound care, surgeries, infection treatments, medications, emergency room visits, and other costs can add up fast. Depending on the situation, you may not have to pay for all these medical services. Try contacting a Wilmington personal injury lawyer to discuss your options for compensation.
COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITES
Delaware dog bite laws may offer you the opportunity to take legal action to secure compensation for your dog bite injuries. If the dog attacked you due to the dog owner’s negligence, then you might be eligible for compensation. Medical costs, lost wages from missed work, and other damages from the dog bite might be covered depending on the circumstances.
Certain exceptions may prevent you from taking legal action against the dog owner. Some exceptions include trespassing on the dog owner’s property, attacking the dog or dog owner, provoking the dog, or committing a criminal act that led to the dog bite. At the same time, a dog that was previously declared dangerous by the state may lead to liability problems.
If the dog owner failed to keep a dog that was deemed dangerous secure from other people, then the dog owner might be held liable. A dog can be declared dangerous in Delaware if the dog causes physical injuries to a human or domestic animal. Dangerous dogs that are not neutered or confined may hold the owner liable for damages that result.
CALL EDELSTEIN MARTIN & NELSON TODAY
Dog bites can happen unexpectedly and result in a variety of medical complications. Do not hesitate to contact Edelstein Martin & Nelson today at (302) 504-4815 to talk to a Delaware personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to explore your options for compensation. Our legal team can help you obtain compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, and medical costs associated with the dog bite. We serve clients in Wilmington, DE.