When a dog bite occurs, the victim needs to know if it’s serious and when to seek emergency medical attention. Even a bite that is not initially critical may become dangerous if it is not correctly treated. Our dog bite attorneys share what you need to know about serious dog bites.
How Often Do Dogs Bite in Florida?
Thousands of dog bites occur in Florida each year. Injuries may be severe—even fatal. The Insurance Information Institute (III)¹ estimates that Floridians submitted 1,821 dog bite claims in 2024 with an average cost per claim of $55,680. Florida is second to only California in number of dog bite claims.
Are dog bites dangerous? Looking at these numbers, it’s clear to see that a dog attack can result in severe injuries that can significantly affect a person’s life.
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What Are the Signs a Dog Bite Is Serious?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)² shared that 17% of dog bite victims suffer injuries serious enough to receive medical treatment. Here are 10 signs that a dog bite may be serious and you should see a medical professional:
1. Bleeding
Bleeding³ is an immediate concern following a dog bite. If a dog bite puncture wound is bleeding, a person should apply pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or gauze until someone with more medical training can take over to administer dog bite care. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Pain
Pain signals the body that something is wrong. When a person feels acute pain after a dog bite, it is a sign that the bite is serious. The underlying issues of the pain should be addressed, and pain management can be one component of dog bite treatment.
Related: Sarasota Dog Bite Attorneys
3. Mobility Problems
Difficulty moving the affected limbs is a sign that you’ve suffered a serious bite. Damage may have occurred to nerves and bones⁴. Paralysis may result, and immediate medical treatment is appropriate to stabilize the injury and prevent future damage.
4. Numbness, Tingling and Stinging
Like pain, other strange feelings from the nervous system may mean that something is not right. Numbness may signify that nervous system damage has occurred or that the nerves are compressed⁵ from other injuries.
5. Debris or Teeth in the Wound
Any kind of debris, teeth, food, or other object left in the puncture wound greatly increases the risk of infection. Wound cleansing decreases the likelihood of infection and creates the best environment possible for the wound to heal.
Part of effective dog bite care is cleaning the wound when it occurs and continuing to clean it with each dressing change. A healthcare professional should educate the victim on proper wound care.
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6. Deep Wounds
Any time a wound is deep, it may be a serious dog bite. A deep wound is more likely to impact nerves and bones. Treatment is essential to prevent infection and promote healing. A deep wound should be thoroughly cleaned, and the victim must receive care instruction for dog bite treatment going forward.
7. Broken Bones
A dog bite can be so severe that it breaks a bone. When a broken bone may have occurred, treatment is needed to set the bone and prevent future disfigurement and mobility limitations. Surgery may be appropriate. These types of dog attack wounds are less common with a small dog bite.
Related: St. Petersburg Dog Bite Attorneys
8. The Victim Has a Compromised Immune System
When the victim of a dog bite has a compromised immune system, they are especially at risk of suffering serious complications⁶ from a dog bite. A victim should seek personalized attention whenever a compromised immune system may be a factor.
9. The Dog Isn’t Up to Date on Vaccines
Certain viruses can exist in the saliva of infected animals. A dog who isn’t updated on vaccines carries an elevated risk of having transmissible viruses. If the dog is wild, that is another reason for concern. Also, be wary if the dog acted strangely leading up to the bite.
Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP)⁷ may be necessary if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown. Also, talk to your doctor about your last tetanus immunization and if a tetanus booster is recommended.
10. Infection
Even if you initially thought that a dog bite wasn’t serious, it may show signs of infection later. If a wound becomes infected, it is serious. Signs that you should seek medical attention immediately for infection may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Radiating pain
- Fever
What Should I Do If a Dog Bites Me?
It can be shocking and disorienting to know what to do when a dog attacks you. Some things to remember when a dog attacks⁸ are:
- Remain calm. Screaming or reacting will only excite the dog more.
- Do not kick or punch the dog. Retaliating could make the situation worse and provoke the dog even further.
- Keep your arms in front of you to protect you. Protect your face and vital organs by keeping your arms in front of you. You can also curl yourself into a ball and try to be still.
- Try your best to move away from the dog. With your arms still in front of you, back away from the aggressive dog slowly and steadily.
- Once you are able to break free, keep moving away. Do not turn back, make noise, or move suddenly. It could cause the dog to react again.
You should be worried about a dog bite if it is more than just a minor cut. Without proper medical care, significant complications may result, which can turn a small bite into something much more severe.
Serious dog bites accompany medical care bills and pain and suffering that you deserve to have fair compensation. Contact a Tampa dog bite lawyer for a free consultation.
Dog Bite Wound Care and Medical Treatment
Proper wound care starts with washing the dog bite with soap and water under running warm water for 15 minutes to prevent infection, then apply antibiotic cream and clean bandage. For deep puncture wounds or badly torn skin, press a clean cloth firmly to stop the bleeding and seek medical treatment—doctors may flush with saline, prescribe antibiotics, or check for nerve/tendon damage.
Is a dog bite dangerous for those with weakened immune systems? Yes, as children, elderly, or asplenic persons face higher risk of serious bite infection.
Complications of Dog Bites: Capnocytophaga, Sepsis, Rabies, Tetanus
Capnocytophaga infection from dog bites can cause kidney failure, heart attack, or gangrene in high-risk individuals like those without a spleen. Sepsis presents as fever, confusion, high heart rate, and shortness of breath, requiring immediate antibiotics and IV fluids.
Rabies virus causes flu-like symptoms then fatal neurological issues—get rabies vaccine if unknown status; tetanus needs booster if over 5 years since last shot for dirty wounds.
When to Seek Medical Attention After a Dog Bite
Seek medical attention for uncontrollable bleeding, deep wounds, fever, red/swollen/warm skin, or if no recent tetanus shot—bites on hands/feet carry a higher infection risk. Call 911 for emergency help if you faint, suspect nerve damage, or the dog acted strangely (rabies risk).
The doctor immediately evaluates for rabies shots, antibiotics, or stitches, especially for animal bites that break skin.
How Do I Pay for Medical Treatment for a Dog Bite?
When a dog bite occurs, you may wonder how you will pay for your medical care. Florida law § 767.04⁹ creates strict liability for dog owners, with comparative negligence principles applied in cases of provocation. In addition, many claims go through the owner’s homeowner insurance policy.
Even if the dog owner is a friend or family member, it’s worth talking to our lawyers about your options and how you may have your medical bills covered by bringing a claim. You may also claim other types of compensation, including property damage and pain and suffering.
Related: Clearwater Dog Bite Attorneys
Lawyers for Dog Bite Medical Treatment Compensation
If you have been injured by a dog bite, you may deserve financial compensation for your medical care and other damages. Contact our attorneys for a consultation about your claim and to learn your legal options after a dog attack.
Our Dog Bite Lawyers Are Ready to Help
No dog bite victim should have to pay for their medical bills on their own. Contact us to learn how we can help.
FAQs
About Jack G. Bernstein Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.
Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
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