However, many bites get more serious with time, as they become infected. This is when a superficial wound could be potentially fatal or you may need serious medical intervention to care for the infection. It’s very important to watch for potential signs, such as swelling or redness, so that you know when to do this.

But why do dog bites get infected? The problem is that they tend to be puncture wounds.

The Difference With a Puncture Wound

A puncture wound is so much different than an open wound for a few reasons. The first is that it tends not to bleed as much. While you don’t want excessive bleeding, some bleeding does help to actually clean the wound. If your body can’t do that because the puncture wound has closed back over, then it may not be as clean as it would be otherwise.

Similarly, it’s much harder to clean out a puncture wound yourself. You could run water over it, as you would with a open cut, but there’s no guarantee that you’ve actually cleaned it thoroughly. Many people think that the bite isn’t serious because they washed it off and it stopped bleeding, but the truth is that the most serious part is still to come.

After all, a dog’s mouth could contain quite a lot of bacteria. When you suffer a puncture wound, the teeth and saliva push that bacteria deep under your skin. You need to get this cleaned out to prevent the infection, but, as noted above, this can be incredibly difficult to do. That is why it is more likely that a dog bite is going to become infected than some other kind of wound.

What Should You Do if This Does Happen?

If you do get bitten by a dog and it does get infected, start by seeking medical treatment. You need to talk to doctors and make sure that things aren’t going to get worse or potentially become fatal. After that, then you can start looking into your rights to seek financial compensation from the dog’s owner or the party who is responsible for the attack.

There are usually a few options for compensation available for those attacked by an aggressive animal. For example, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance can provide bodily injury liability protection that covers hospital bills and any lost wages that results from a dog bite attack.

However, in some situations, the breed of the animal involved might limit your options for compensation after that animal attacks you or a member of your family.

Insurance Coverage May Depend on the Breed

Generally speaking, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will protect a pet owner from liability associated with the animal. Still, the insurance company has to know about and cover the specific pet.

Some kinds of dogs have a stronger association with bite attacks and severe injuries, so insurance companies have extra rules about these breeds. Breeds that insurance companies may refuse to cover without a policyholder paying extra for their premium are restricted breeds. Common restricted breeds include:

• Pit bulls and crossbreeds
• Wolf hybrids
• Rottweilers
• Doberman pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Great Danes
• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Siberian huskies

If the animal’s owner did not disclose the presence of the dog when purchasing their policy, the insurance may not cover injuries of the animal causes. The same issue could arise if the owner was dishonest about the breed.

What Happens if Insurance Won’t Cover You?

In the rare situation where an insurance company did not know about the animal or had inaccurate information about its breed, you may find that homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will not cover the losses you suffer when a dog turns aggressive.

In such a scenario, you may have no choice but to pursue a personal injury claim against the pet owner who didn’t have proper insurance. Understanding the rules that govern dog bite claims in New Jersey can help you get the compensation you need for injuries that have affected your family.

Although reconstructive surgery is certainly more accessible now than it was a few decades ago, it’s still expensive. Additionally, there are significant limitations on what plastic surgeons can do with significant scar tissue. While they can help rebuild damaged tissue, they may not be able to completely remove the scarring that results from a bite to the face.

How might the facial scars of a dog bite attack affect someone’s life?

They May Require Ongoing Medical Care

If the scar tissue is deep or painful, an individual may need pain relief or a series of procedures to minimize the scar tissue or improve function. Some people may even need physical or speech therapy if the bite causes damage to the musculature of their faces. Children with facial scars may require frequent revision surgeries until they mature and stop physically growing.

They May Notice a Change in Their Career Prospects

Humans are very visual animals, which unfortunately means that a facial scar can impact how people interact with someone. A service professional or salesperson, for example, who needs to quickly build a positive rapport with new people, may find that their scar inhibits their job performance.

Even in professions where appearance shouldn’t matter, facial scars might affect what someone earns for compensation or how likely their employer is to promote them to a more visible position.

Scars Can Have a Lasting Psychological Impact

Many people with facial scars caused by canine attacks endure psychological side effects ranging from depression to anxiety in social environments. Having a prominent scar can affect someone’s mental health in several ways. When you see the scar or when someone asks you about it, you will likely think back to the trauma of the dog bite attack. They may also avoid situations where people will stare or ask questions.

Recognizing that the consequences of a vicious dog bite attack don’t end with your hospitalization might hope you pursue a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim against the animal’s owner.

What is the Meaning of “Burden of Proof?”

The burden of proof is a legal term that refers to the obligation of a party in a lawsuit to provide sufficient evidence to justify or uphold their claim.

Specifically, the “burden of proof” is the obligation on one side in a trial requiring them to prove their version of events by presenting admissible evidence, which appears sufficiently credible and convincing as compared with the opposing side’s presentation of contrary evidence.

Who Has the Burden of Proof?

The general rule is that whoever makes an assertion in a legal action has the burden to prove it. The “burden” simply means risk or duty, and refers only to the necessity of producing evidence on a given issue; once that hurdle is overcome with sufficient evidence, then the party with that burden of proof is usually said to have discharged it.

Typically, in personal injury cases, the prosecution or plaintiff has the burden of proof because they are asserting that someone else is at fault. They must be able to prove it with credible and admissible evidence in order for their claim to get substantiated. Defendants are not obligated to present any evidence unless they want to raise an affirmative defense or mitigating circumstances.

If you find yourself pressing charges in a personal injury case, you want to make sure that your claim gets justified. That means being able to prove your version of events with sufficient, admissible evidence.

What’s the Difference Between the One-Bite Rule and Strict Liability?

There are two specific sets of laws pertaining to dog bites in the country. They include the following:

• One-bite rule: The one-bite rule means that a dog owner does not have to be held responsible for dog bites caused by their pet if the dog has never previously bitten a person. However, after the dog has bitten someone one time, the owner is then liable for any injuries and damages the dog causes.
• Strict liability: Strict liability means that it doesn’t matter if the dog had never bitten someone before. With this rule, even if the dog has always been calm and friendly in the past with no history of aggression, if they bite someone and cause injuries, the owner is automatically liable for the victim’s medical expenses and other damages. The only exceptions to this rule are if the person provoked the dog by taunting or teasing them or if they trespassed on the owner’s property.

What are the Dog Bite Laws in the State?

With New Jersey’s strict liability dog bite laws, the owner is liable for a victim’s injuries. It doesn’t matter whether the dog has a history of biting people or a history of not biting people or what the owner knew prior to the bite taking place. It also doesn’t matter if the bite occurred in a public place or somewhere the victim was lawfully allowed to be.

The dog’s owner is automatically liable for injuries caused by the dog even if they tried to restrain their pet or warned the victim.

Who Can Help You?

An attorney can help you if you suffered injuries from a dog bite. You are entitled to compensation for your damages, and your attorney will do what they can in hopes that you get a fair amount.

Convictions, Records, and the New Marijuana Rules

Anyone with concerns about a past criminal history might benefit from avoiding any future criminal charges and convictions. Possession of fewer than six ounces of marijuana is now legal, and so is its use on private property. Anyone who possesses more than six ounces or who illegally sells marijuana could face charges.

Questions may linger among those already involved in legal troubles over marijuana convictions. The Attorney General issued an order requiring prosecutors to dismiss any pending charges related to previously illegal activity.

Judges may vacate guilty pleas and other convictions for those serving time or otherwise deal with penalties related to marijuana crimes. Past convictions that do not involve current involvement with the criminal justice system receive an automatic expungement.

Additional Legal Matters and Concerns

How automatic is the expungement system? Someone with an old conviction might find the record is easily accessible to those looking to expunge convictions. Yes, some records may exist in hardcopy form somewhere. Persons eligible for expungement may need to take extra steps to make sure the record gets cleared.

And there are other rules and issues worth knowing. Marijuana’s legalization affects probable cause. Did the police search a home after smelling marijuana? That’s not viable probable cause anymore.

New Jersey criminal law regarding marijuana might confuse someone trying to address past or current legal issues. An attorney may assist someone with their questions about criminal history and possible expungement.

Negligence and Dog Bites

In New Jersey, the dog’s owner becomes responsible for any harm the pet causes to someone on public property or private property. However, trespassing on private property could negate a liability claim. A dog owner who doesn’t take steps to prevent harm, such as leashing or fencing in a pet, could find it difficult to defend a claim.

New Jersey law also establishes a “percentage of fault” rule. A person 40% responsible for an incident may find him or herself only able to claim 60% of damages. A person 51% responsible for an incident might have no negligence claim. For example, someone might have a dog off its leash, but if the bite victim injured, agitated or harmed an otherwise disinterested or docile dog, then filing a claim could prove difficult.

Homeowners Insurance and Dog Bite Claims

Often, homeowners insurance covers dog bites, but there could be exclusions in the policy. Certain dangerous breeds might be excluded. In some instances, the dog’s owner may not have insurance, so filing a lawsuit may be the only recourse. Even if uninsured or excluded from coverage, the dog owner isn’t immune from a potential suit.

Injuries from dog bites might come with medical bills and other expenses. A person bitten by a dangerous animal may want to speak with an attorney about legal options for pursuing compensation.

What is the Main Concern With a Dog Bite?

No matter the size or breed of dog, the number one concern of dog attacks is the risk of infection. When a dog’s front teeth grab and suppress your skin, the result can be an open wound that’s prone to serious infection. Dog bite victims should always see a doctor within eight hours of being bitten. Waiting any longer could increase infection risk.

What Should You Do Immediately After You’re Bitten?

The first thing to do if you’ve been bitten by a dog is to distance yourself from it. This can reduce the likelihood that you’ll be bitten again.

How Can You Treat a Dog Bite?

After being bitten, you should immediately assess the wound to determine the severity. You may be able to administer first aid yourself if the wound is minor. Larger or deeper wounds will require immediate medical treatment. Follow these steps to treat dog bites until you’re able to receive medical attention:

• Using mild soap and warm water, wash the wound for five to 10 minutes
• Apply a clean cloth to the wound to slow any bleeding
• Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to the wound
• Use a sterile bandage to seal the wound
• Keep the bandage on until you’re able to see your doctor

Most importantly, regularly watch for signs of infection. Symptoms could include swelling, redness, tenderness, fever, and significant pain.

Dog owners have a responsibility to make sure their pets don’t attack other people. Individuals who are victims of dog bites should consider scheduling an appointment with an experienced lawyer.

However, this is one case where you should talk to your friend about your intention to seek medical care. Even though a puppy’s bite might seem innocent, it can transmit the same kinds of diseases as you’d see with a large dog’s bite. The only real difference could be that the bite itself doesn’t seem as bad.

Puppy teeth are much sharper than adult dog teeth, however. As a result, it’s easier for them to puncture the skin. The puncture wound might not look bad on the surface, but there is a potential for that bite to become infected. 

If you’re bitten by a small dog, it may not bleed much or even be very painful. It’s still a good idea to inform your friend that you’ll be seeking a medical appointment and that you’d like them to cover the cost. If you don’t seek out medical help, there is the potential that you could see an infection develop in the puncture and spread. In a worst-case scenario, an untreated puncture wound could lead to serious illnesses developing, like tetanus or sepsis. 

It’s a good idea to go to the doctor early and to get on the antibiotics you need. If the other person won’t cover the cost of your care or your injury worsens due to an infection, then it may be a good idea to consider taking legal action.

Victims of serious burns may spend many weeks or months in a burn unit at a hospital because these injuries need close monitoring. A burn is an open wound, which means that it can become dangerously infected quickly. How long a patient stays in a burn ward depends on the percentage of their body that is burned and the depth of those burns. The recovery will also lengthen if the lungs or other organs were affected.

When you learn about your burns, you’ll be told if they are superficial, partial-thickness or full-thickness burns. Superficial are the least damaging, but full-thickness burns may damage you deeply, down through the muscles and bones.

You may know that there are three levels of burns that most people talk about, first, second and third. Did you know that fourth-degree burns exist, too? These can be life-threatening and destroy full sections of muscle, tissue and bones.

Burns can result in multiple complications, like infections, pain and other issues. If you’re hurt in this way, you need to seek compensation for what you’re going through. Good compensation can help you seek all the medical treatments you need and live comfortably financially as you go through this challenging time in your life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tracked the statistics. As reported by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, dog bites pose a greater threat to general health for children than:

• Playground injuries
• Bike accidents
• Whooping cough, mumps and measles combined
• Skateboard injuries
• ATV injuries
• Moped injuries

That’s probably surprising to a lot of parents, who may bend over backward to make sure their child knows how to ride a bike safely and has all of the proper safety gear, such as a helmet. At the same time, they may never really teach the child how to interact with dogs. The reality is that, although bike safety is obviously important, safety around dogs should also be taught.

This is especially true for boys who range in age from five years old to nine years old. These are the most common victims of dog bites, which often impact the head, neck and face. A child’s short stature plays into this, and they may also not be strong enough to fend off the dog.

If your child gets bitten by someone else’s dog, especially if it is not contained in a yard or if it is off-leash for a walk, make sure you are well aware of the rights you have to compensation.

What you’ve gone through is unfortunate and unacceptable. When a medical team knows about a person’s allergies, they absolutely should avoid using medications or devices that would trigger it. Anaphylaxis, a serious reaction to a medication or other item, can be life-threatening or deadly. With extended anaphylaxis, you could end up with hypoxia and brain damage, as well as damage to your organs.

In your case, you woke up days later in the hospital with higher bills than expected. You had two surgeries because of the error, and you’ll have a much longer recovery. At this point, it’s important that you have the opportunity to hold the medical team responsible for the errors because your life has been completely changed because of it.

If you have been hurt by a medical provider, you deserve support as you seek fair compensation for what you’ve been through. You may have to go through months or years of medical care, and it is essential that you have the financial support to help you as you heal. Our website has more information on what to expect if you decide to pursue a medical malpractice claim.

So, now that a disaster has actually happened, why is your insurer denying coverage? Orders from the government have forced many small business owners to halt their operations in the interest of public safety — but insurance companies aren’t paying out. 

Why not? Essentially, it comes down to this: Many business insurance policies are tied to events like fires, floods, earthquakes and other catastrophes that cause significant damage to business property, not just business operations. Insurance companies are largely saying that it takes that kind of physical damage to trigger the policy. Without it, they don’t have to pay.

Companies who have been required to temporarily close their businesses due to recent events are finding out about the exclusions the hard way. One denied claim here in New Jersey read, in part, “Unfortunately, there is no business coverage for this situation nor is there any coverage for purchase at this time. The coverage trigger for business income and extra expense coverage is direct damage to property at an insured location by a covered cause of loss.” 

It’s a situation that has left small business owners both in this state and around the nation reeling as if they’d just received “a punch in the gut.” Numerous states, including New Jersey, have already begun drafting bills that would force insurers to cover events when the business owner is required to halt operations by official orders, and class action lawsuits are already forming — but it’s likely to be a protracted legal battle for many.

If you’re a business owner who has recently been forced to close, what can you do to help your situation right now? First, the experts say that you should file your insurance claim — even if you fully expect it to be denied. This gives you a starting point to launch a fight (and can help you stave off creditors for a while). Then, you should start shopping for new insurance with broader inclusions or riders that will protect you in the future. 

Finally, seek experienced legal assistance. An initial denial isn’t the end of your claim — and it shouldn’t be the end of your business or dreams, either.