Sepsis or Blood Infection From a Dog Bite in Pittsburgh

Suffering a dog bite is traumatic. If you need to deal with an infection or sepsis after the fact, that only adds to your worries and increases your need for fair compensation. However, with so much else to worry about, the last thing you want to think about right now is filing a lawsuit and fighting for compensation. Let a Pittsburgh sepsis or blood infection lawyer handle your case. Call the office of Berger and Green for a free case evaluation.

What to Do if You Were Bitten by a Dog

After a dog bite, your first concern may be if the dog was rabid. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting rabies from dog bites is not generally a concern in the United States. If possible, the dog that bit you should be quarantined for ten days to make sure they are not infected. If they begin to show rabies symptoms, you will be vaccinated.

Minor dog bites may be treated at home. The Mayo Clinic recommends washing the wound with soap and water, using antibiotic cream, and applying a bandage. If, however, the bite is very deep, or if you begin to exhibit symptoms of infection (e.g., redness and swelling), seek medical attention right away.

In extreme cases, an infection may lead to sepsis. Early sepsis treatment is critical, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of sepsis include changes in breathing rate and blood pressure. If left untreated, sepsis can be fatal.

You May Qualify for Economic and Noneconomic Damages

An infected dog bite can lead to emergency medical treatment and taking time off from work to recover. You may also have to deal with long-term consequences, like scarring.

No matter how your dog bite affected you, you may be able to seek monetary compensation to help you deal with the aftermath. The rest of this section will explain the two types of compensation you may be entitled to after a dog bite.

Economic Damages

Economic damages will compensate you for financial costs. These may include any of the following:

• Medical bills: i.e., you had to go to a doctor or receive emergency care for your injury. If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you can sue to recover the medical expenses incurred by your loved one before they passed away.
• Lost wages: i.e., you could not work for a while because of your injuries
• Related bills: i.e., you could not perform your usual activities, like childcare or lawncare, and hired someone else to do it for you until you recovered
• Funeral bills: i.e., your loved one passed away from their dog bite injuries, requiring you to pay for a funeral service and settling their estate

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages will compensate you for the physical and/or emotional toll your injuries had on you. These may include any of the following:

• Disfigurement: i.e., your injury has left a permanent, perhaps painful mark or scar
• Disability: i.e., your injury has left you with a partial or total disability
• Reduced quality of life: i.e., your injury prevents you from enjoying the same activities or hobbies as you did before
• Loss of companionship: i.e., your loved one’s death has deprived you of their company and affection

Figuring out which damages you qualify for and how much you can expect to recover can be tricky. It will all depend on the circumstances surrounding your case and the severity of your injuries. We may be able to make sure you ask for every dollar you are entitled to.

Berger and Green Is Here for You

Berger and Green can take the lead on your lawsuit, explaining your options step by step and fighting for your rights. Here are some examples of what a Pittsburgh sepsis or blood infection lawyer from our office may be able to do for you.

Investigating Your Claim

You already know what happened and the effects your injury has had on your life. To recover compensation, you need to prove your claim to an insurance company and, if it comes to it, a jury. We may be able to back up your claim with evidence like witness statements, surveillance video, and medical records.

Communicating and Negotiating

You do not have to talk to the liable party, their insurance company, or their lawyer. If you hire us, we can handle all communication on your behalf. We will also sit down with the insurance company’s representative and fight for the maximum amount of compensation.

Insurance companies often prefer settlements to trials because settlements are faster and cheaper. But they do not want to pay you any more than they have to. Berger and Green will present evidence and negotiate hard to make them pay you what you deserve, not what they feel like paying.

Going to Court

If we cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, we will go to court. This involves scheduling a trial date, providing opening and closing arguments, and presenting evidence. We can take care of all of these things for you.

Call Us for Legal Guidance on Sepsis or Blood Infection From a Dog Bite in Pittsburgh

We will never leave you in the dark about your case. We update you every step of the way, and we are happy to answer whatever questions you have at any time.

You should not have to pay for a dog bite injury that was not your fault. Laurence Green has 40 years of experience in personal injury cases. He and the rest of our team want nothing more than to help you recover the compensation your injuries entitle you to. A Pittsburgh sepsis or blood infection lawyer may be able to help you fight for what you deserve.