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West Virginia Dog And Animal Bite Lawyer

With nearly 5 million attacks involving dogs and animals each year from minor bites and scratches to vicious attacks resulting in death it should come as no surprise that hospitals around the country collectively report around 1,000 emergency visits per day due to dog-related attacks and bites. While death occurs in less than 100 of the dog bites reported each year, hospitalization stemming from bites is all too common, especially among children.

Not only are dog and animal bites traumatic and painful, but they can also put you at risk for serious bacterial infections. One infection that is becoming commonly referred to as a superbug stems from dog bites spreading the bacteria strain known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Particularly disturbing is the fact that the MRSA form of infection is resistant to antibiotic medications. In addition to MRSA, other serious infections can occur from a dog bite, and though the initial wound may not look too serious, bacteria planted deep into joint and tendon spaces can cause medical dilemmas later on.

If you have done everything you can to avoid an agitated or aggressive animal, and you still become the victim of an animal attack, seek medical attention immediately. If you sustain significant injuries that result in medical costs, loss of wages, and pain and suffering, your next step should be contacting a West Virginia attorney experienced in dog and animal bite cases.

According to studies, 20 percent of dogs who bite are non-neutered, and most involve an unrestrained dog on their owner's property. Men under 20 are most likely to be injured from a pet bite. Women and the elderly are at a higher risk of being bitten by a cat.

In recent West Virginia dog bite news, a teenager was severely attacked by his neighbor's pit bull and had to be rushed into the emergency room. The father of the victim had been fighting for years to keep pit bulls off of the streets, so when the dog bit his son's face and legs, the father sought courtroom vengeance. Certain parts of West Virginia are known for frequent dog bites and attacks. In fact, in the very same neighborhood where the teenager was attacked, eight previous dog bite cases were reported in the month leading up to the attack, all by different dogs.

With so many cases of dog bites occurring in West Virginia, a number of experienced animal bite lawyers are ready to take on your case. Many West Virginia personal injury attorneys are well-versed in animal bite cases, and they can use their expertise to justifiably obtain the compensation you deserve.

There are specific defenses that an animal owner will use if they are being sued by someone who has been bitten by their pet. Dog and animal bite lawyers know these defenses and are experts at dismissing them and establishing negligence on the behalf of the owner.

In every state, a victim can recover compensation from a person whose negligence caused the attack. Examples of negligence in an animal bite case range from leaving a dog unattended or unleashed to letting a dog run at large for days on end.

If you are the victim of a pet bite, it is highly recommended that you ask potential attorneys a variety of questions, including but not limited to the amount of pet bite cases they've handled, what the outcomes were, and how much was rewarded to the victims. Once you've selected an attorney who can confidently handle your case, you can rest assured that the proper steps will be taken. In the meantime, it is important that you do not communicate with animal control authorities or pet owners without the counsel of your attorney.