A 6-month-old baby girl who suffered serious injuries when a Great Dane snatched her with his mouth and ran off is at a Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center recovering. As of yesterday, the LA Times reported that she was on a ventilator but stable. Her Monrovia dog bite injuries include a broken rib, numerous puncture wounds to her back, a perforated liver, a broken clavicle, and a collapsed lung.
The Los Angeles County dog mauling happened on Monday while the baby's mother was at a neighbor's doorway. A Great Dane weighing 180-pounds, rushed out of the home, bumped into the woman, used his mouth to grab the infant from her, and ran off some 200 feet before releasing the child onto the street. The dog will be quarantined for several days and may be declared dangerous.
Our Anaheim dog attack lawyers know how tough it can be to have your child suffer serious injuries as a result of being bitten by someone's pet. In addition to pain and suffering and possibly the need to undergo surgery or other medical treatments, dog bites can lead to disfigurement, scarring, and lasting emotional trauma. It is important that you explore your legal options.
According to a new study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in the last 15 years, the number of people in the US who require hospitalization for their dog bite injuries has nearly doubled. There were 5,100 dog bite victims in 1993 and 9,500 in 2008, a year when approximately 866 people a day went to an ER. Approximately 26 people were admitted. Also:
• Kids under age 5 and seniors in the 65 and over age group were most likely to be hospitalized for their dog bite injuries.
• Nearly 50% of patients hospitalized required medical care for tissue and skin infections.
• Over 50% required medical procedures such as wound debridement or skin grafts.
• Care cost on average is $18,200 per dog bite victim.
Great Dane grabs baby from mother's arms, runs into street, Los Angeles Times, December 15, 2010
6-month-old mauled by Great Dane in Monrovia, ABC 7, December 14, 2010
Risks: Hospital Admissions for Dog Bites Are on the Rise, NY TImes, December 10, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Read the report, AHRQ (PDF)
Dog Bites, Nolo
Contact our Anaheim personal injury lawyers.
