Endocarditis and Infection of Cardiac Tissue From a Dog Bite in Pittsburgh

Endocarditis is an infection of the lining within your heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition may be caused by bacteria entering your system because of a dog bite or another type of animal attack. It could produce serious symptoms that threaten your immediate and long-term health.

If you know or suspect that endocarditis is affecting you or a loved one because of an animal attack, a Pittsburgh endocarditis, infection of cardiac tissue lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your losses.

Call the team at Berger and Green today for a free consultation about how we may help you fight for the compensation you need.

Animal Owners Have a Duty to Keep Others From Harm

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists guidelines for animal owners to protect others through responsible ownership. A pet owner’s responsibilities may include:

• Ensuring that their animal is up-to-date on vaccinations
• Observing and obeying local laws related to animals, which includes keeping their dog on a leash
• Ensuring that their pet is properly exercised and stimulated to maintain a healthy temperament
• Arranging for their pet to be cared for when they cannot do so
• Only owning a number of pets that they can properly care for

One important responsibility listed by the AVMA is “preventing your pet(s) from negatively impacting other people.” An animal attack can negatively impact other people, in that an animal bite can cause severe health issues and financial consequences for the victim, among other damages.

How an Animal Attack May Affect You

Owners who do not properly restrain their animal might risk letting their dog or other pet attack another person. The UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh notes that dog attacks could be particularly damaging to children. However, dog attacks may produce harmful, lifelong effects in victims of any age.

Some possible consequences of a dog bite or another form of animal attack include:

• Physical trauma to your skin, muscle, and bone
• Fear of dogs and other animals
• Fear of going outside
• Inability to sleep as you did before the attack
• Nightmares revolving around your attack
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty speaking normally
• Personality changes

These trauma-related outcomes could affect your very outlook on life and may change you as a person. In addition to psychological trauma, you may experience physical trauma. You may want to be especially cautious about wounds from an attack to prevent them from becoming infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that possible signs of infection include:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling and redness around the bite wound
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Stiffness in your neck
• Changes in your urination frequency or pain when urinating
• Cold sweats
• Chills
• Fever

If you experience changes in your health beyond what you consider normal pain from being bitten, you may have suffered an infection. An untreated infection could cause serious health consequences, such as endocarditis.

You may speak with a Pittsburgh endocarditis, infection of the cardiac tissue lawyer if you or a loved one suffered negative health consequences after an animal attack. Call Berger and Green today for a free consultation.

A Lawyer Can Pursue Compensation for You

If you choose to hire a lawyer, they may be able to obtain compensation covering your bite-related losses. If an animal attack produces serious injury or results in an infection, your medical costs could amount quickly, and the dog’s owner may be held responsible for your losses.

Some ways a lawyer may help you with your case include:

• Reviewing local laws and rules pertaining to animal attacks
• Determining who is responsible for the attack and whether multiple parties may be held liable
• Organizing evidence of the attack
• Speaking with experts on matters relevant to your lawsuit
• Recording witness accounts
• Organizing evidence of your injuries
• Calculating losses you have already suffered
• Projecting losses you may suffer in the future
• Filing your lawsuit
• Making lawsuit-related appearances on your behalf
• Negotiating a settlement
• Completing a trial

How a lawyer may assist you will depend on the needs of your case and how your lawsuit unfolds. Part of your lawyer’s job may be to determine how a pet owner or other liable parties failed you or your loved one and contributed to your injuries.

Proving Liability for an Animal Attack

Once your lawyer identifies those responsible for your animal bite, they can make a case for liability. A person may be held responsible for your losses if:

• They owed you a duty of care, which generally means that they had a responsibility to protect you from harm
• They violated their duty of care to you in some way, such as allowing an animal attack to happen
• This violation caused you to suffer harm

If your lawyer can prove the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries and damages, you may win compensation. Whether through a settlement or judgment, you may be able to collect awards covering medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from an animal attack.

Call Berger and Green in Pittsburgh Today to Discuss Endocarditis and Infection of Cardiac Tissue From a Dog Bite

If you or a loved one developed an infection or another medical problem after an animal bite or attack, a Pittsburgh endocarditis, infection of the cardiac tissue lawyer may be able to help you seek compensation. Call Berger and Green today for a free consultation.