USPS Reports Increase in Dog Bite Injuries for Mail Carriers

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently released its annual count of postal workers involved in a dog attack. The USPS says in 2016, there were 6,755 dog attacks on their employees while carrying out work duties. That number is not good news for mail carriers, especially since the 20

16 number is higher than the number of dog attacks in 2015 by 200. David Tapalian is a Providence personal injury lawyer who helps those who have been bitten by a dog or received injuries in a dog attack. While it may sound cliche, “the dog bit the mail carrier”, the effects of a dog bite or dog attack can be devastating to the victim and their family. Tapalian Law helps those suffering from a dog attack get the compensation they deserve for damages, including medical bills, hospital bills, time lost at work, out of pocket expenses, and pain and suffering.

Dog Bites Can Result in Serious Injury & Disease

Dog bites can leave a person with serious wounds that result in disfiguring scars. Scarring can cause loss of mobility as well as disfigurements that may require plastic surgery, possibly even multiple surgeries over a period of time depending on the extent of the scars. A Providence personal injury attorney can assist you in determining the extent of your injuries and the compensation you may be entitled to, including the need for future surgeries. Dog bite wounds, however minor or major, can also lead to infection requiring additional medical care and medication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 1 in 5 dog bites get infected. Some of the many diseases that can be contracted through a dog bite include rabies, MRSA, staph infection, pasteurella, and tetanus. In addition, dogs may jump on a person knocking them to the ground, resulting in other types of injuries like head trauma, broken bones, and other bodily damage. This can be especially detrimental to the elderly.

Children Most Likely to be Bitten by Dogs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that children are the ones who get bitten the most. The rate is highest among 5 to 9-year old’s. This can be for various reasons including their smaller size, a child’s natural curiosity about animals, and the fact that young children are not easily able to fend off a dog as an adult may be. Among adults, men are more than likely to be bitten than woman. Injuries caused by a dog attack can have tragic consequences, as we hear too often, and charges can be brought against dog owners with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.

What to Do If You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog in RI

If you, your child, or another loved one has been bitten by a dog, seek medical attention immediately and then seek the advice of a personal injury attorney in Rhode Island right away. Tapalian Law is experienced with dog bite injuries and the short-term and long-term effect they can have on the wounded person. We have helped those who have suffered personal injury due to animal bites in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rhode Island State Law states that dog owners are strictly liable. This means they are responsible without any show of fault for injuries caused by their dog to others that did not happen on the dog owner’s property. So, if a dog attacked you while walking in the park, its owner is responsible for your injuries. Even if you incurred injuries from the attack on the owner’s property, they may still be liable if they knew, or had reason to know, of the dog’s aggressive tendency. If the owner of the dog has been held liable in the past for a similar incident, the amount of compensation received may be doubled.

As a law firm personally dedicated to each client, we are here to help you 24/7 and will advise you what steps to take next. Don’t wait, the sooner you contact an injury lawyer about your dog bite case, the better able they are to help you. An experienced Providence injury lawyer will review the details of your case, obtain medical reports, police reports, and witness reports, and consult with experts as needed on your case. If you are suffering from injuries, call us today at 401-552-5000 for a free case review. Or complete our easy, online form and we will contact you right away to review your case.