North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

A baby in Henderson County is recovering after he suffered a vicious North Carolina dog bite while visiting with relatives.

Our Asheville dog bite attorneys understand that the incident happened at the home of the infant's great-grandmother. According to ABC News 13, the 10-month-old was mauled by the great-grandmother's pit bull.

The older woman called 911, telling the dispatcher that the child had suffered injuries to his entire body.

The baby was rushed to Mission Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Although the injuries at first appeared to be grave, it seems the child is thankfully faring better than expected.

Authorities say the dog will be killed and sent to a state laboratory for testing.

While this case may have a happy ending, so many others do not. Researchers from the American Academy of Family Physicians report that more than 4 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Of these, approximately 800,000 (or about 45 percent) are under the age of 14. Dozens die as a result of these injuries.

Nearly 35 million American households own canines, many more than one, meaning there are more than 55 million dogs in the country. Most of them are never going to be a threat. However, just about any dog has the potential to hurt someone if the circumstances are just right. About half of all reported dog bite cases involve a pet that is owned by either the family of the victim or neighbors.

Often, these involve an animal that is not provoked. Sadly, a large number of deaths involving babies and dogs occur when the baby is simply sleeping.

Even if a bite isn't fatal or cause severe injury, there is a possibility you could be at great risk for an infection. About 20 percent of people bitten suffer some degree of infection. People with the following conditions are at particular risk:

• Chronic edema (or insufficient blood flow) to the arms or legs;
• Diabetes;
• Immune deficiencies;
• Liver disease;
• Mastectomy;
• Those with prosthetic joints or valves;
• Lupus.

While any dog has the potential to inflict harm, some breeds are known to have a history of greater aggression than others. These include: Cocker Spaniel, Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Grate Dane, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Doberman Pinscher, Collie, Bull Terrier.

By contrast, the least aggressive dogs - those considered to be "family dogs," are: Boxer, Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Irish Setter, English Setter, Labrador Retriever, English Springer, Spaniel.

Of course, there are Gold Retrievers that have been known to bite, and Rottweilers that are gentle to a fault. It depends on a myriad of factors, but the point is, every dog should be approached as if it has the potential to inflict injury to either you or your child.

Continue reading "North Carolina Dog Bites Baby, Caution Urged " »

Every year, close to 5 million people suffer from dog-bite injuries in Charlotte and elsewhere. Man's best friend can strike at any minute, but there are ways to reduce your risks for these types of injuries.

Our North Carolina dog bite attorneys understand that many families added a new member over the holidays -- a dog. We would like to use this time to educate owners about the risks involved with dogs and offer you some tips to keep you and you children safe around them. Many dog bites are caused by a close friend's pet or the pet of a neighbor or of a family member. If you or someone in your family has been bitten by a dog, it's important for you to contact an experienced attorney, especially when the injuries involve young children. Legal assistance can help you to file a claim in as amicable a manner as possible. Legal representation is important in the event that medical complications or emotional issues arise following a serious dog bite.

Of the people bitten by a dog every year, nearly 100,000 seek medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Half of these victims are children. Nearly 390,000 get their assistance from an emergency room. More than 15 die every year.

The injury rate for dog bites is highest among children who are 5- to 9-years-old. Most of these bite injuries occur to the neck or head area of the body for these young victims. Boys have a higher rate for these types of accidents than girls.

As many families got a new pup for Christmas, there are things to consider now for the safety of you and your family.

When getting a new dog:

-Be on the lookout for signs that your child may be scared of the dog. Talk with them about the role of a dog in the family.

-Be sure to spend adequate time with your dog to help it get acquainted with its new family and its new surroundings.

-Spay or neuter to help reduce its aggressive tendencies.

-Never allow your young child to play with the dog alone.

-Never play aggressively with your new dog. Teach it to play nicely.

-Teach the dog submissive behaviors, like sitting, rolling over and dropping food without growling.

What's most important is that your child knows how to act around dogs and that your dog is acclimated to playing with children. Devastating bite accidents can occur if this isn't done. Discuss the responsibilities and requirements of having a dog in the house with your kids.

Continue reading "Train Puppies from Santa to Help Reduce Risks of Dog Bite Injuries in Charlotte" »

Hickory injury lawyers want to remind pet owners to keep a watchful eye on their dogs during the holiday season to avoid a potential dog-bite accident. You may be having visitors coming and going this time of year that can cause a change in routine for your pet. Disruption can cause even the friendliest of dogs to become agitated or stressed, which can lead to serious injury when a dog attacks in Winston-Salem, Statesville or elsewhere in North Carolina.

American Humane Association reports there are an estimated 4.7 million dog bites annually in the U.S. Roughly 20 percent require a trip to the emergency room. Hands, arms, feet and legs are the most common areas to be bitten on an adult as evidenced in more than 70 percent of reported accidents. Children are more likely to be bit on the face, head or neck (65 percent) as these body parts are in close relation to a dog's mouth. Half of the dog bites that occur are to children under the age of 12 years-old. Alarmingly, 70 percent of deaths caused by a dog attack are children ages 9 and under. Newborns left unsupervised with a dog in the room are 370 times more likely to be killed by a pet.

Many pet owners have a misconception that their pets are so friendly that they would never hurt anyone, especially at home. What pet owners need to understand is that dogs are protective by nature, especially when it comes to family members or where they live. Almost 60 percent of dog bite fatalities occur on an owner's property compared to 24 percent off the owner's property when a dog is unrestrained. Almost two-thirds of bites occur when the victim is familiar with a dog on the victim's own property.

Dogs often give recognizable indicators when they become stressed. If you plan to have relatives or friends visit over the holidays, look for the following signs from your pet that they may have had too much excitement: yawning or constant licking of their chops, pacing, tail is tucked or moving stiff and swift like a rattle snake, hiding under furniture or behind your leg, intense staring towards a person, growling, fur is raised along their back or excessive barking.

Pet owners can reduce the risk of dog bite incidents this holiday season with the following dog bite prevention tips from doggonesafe:

-Keep your pet crated until visitors arrive and get settled in a seat.

-Instruct children not to approach your pet too quickly. Have them stand still and let the dog sniff them before they try to reach or pet the dog.

-Assign an adult to watch the pet for signs of stress. If the pet seems agitated or stressed, put them in a separate room or crate with their favorite chew toy or bone.

-Remind visitors not to feed the pet scraps from the table.

-Never permit visitors to bring their own pets to large gatherings, even if the dogs are familiar with each other.

-Make sure children and your pet are always supervised.

Continue reading "Supervise Pets at Holiday Gatherings to Reduce the Risk of Dog Bite Injuries in Winston-Salem, Statewide" »

On Halloween night the streets will be full of children collecting treats and many others playing tricks. It's important to know the dangers and how to keep your children safe on Halloween. Last year United Press International reported that a child in New Jersey and a child in Florida had been killed in car accidents on the night of Halloween.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports about 5,000 traffic fatalities have occurred during Halloween week during the last decade. Drunk drivers have been involved in more than half of those fatal crashes. Nationwide, law enforcement will be conducting an "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" drunk driving enforcement campaign from Oct. 25 -31.

Aside from the increased risk of North Carolina car accidents, parents and kids are also at high risk of North Carolina pedestrian accidents and premise liability claims, including slip and fall accidents and dog attacks.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that Halloween is among the busiest holidays in hospital emergency rooms, with hand and finger injuries being the most common. Children ages 10 to 14 are among the most frequently injured.

There are many things you can do in order to protect your child from being in a North Carolina car accident and other premise liability issues on All Hollows Eve.

Halloween is an exciting time of the year. Unfortunately it is also host to frightening realities. Here are some helpful tips to keep your family safe on Halloween:

-Get costumes that are bright and fit properly and shoes are properly fitted to prevent tripping.

-Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

-Use makeup as a safe alternative to masks that limit eyesight.

-When purchasing costumes and accessories be sure that they are flame resistant.

-Insist on flashlights for all children and escorts.

-Make sure your children know how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) just in case.

-Instead of using candles for pumpkins buy glow sticks.

-Cross the street at cross walks and never in between vehicles on the street.

-Stay out of areas that are not well lit.

-Only visit houses that have their porch light on.

-Never go into anyone's home.

-Don't assume that vehicles are going to stop for you; always let them pass before crossing.

Halloween is one of a kid' favorite holidays and parents can do so much to ensure it is a safe one. You can find many more tips like the ones above on having a safe Halloween including how to make your home safer for trick-or-treaters and having a healthier Halloween at theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics website.

Continue reading "North Carolina car accidents, pedestrian accidents, premise liability claims a Halloween danger" »