Numerous New Jersey residents have been attacked by domestic animals. Some of these attacks have only minimal impact on victims, while others have more severe — if not fatal — consequences. While there are many physical concerns following animal bites, one of the biggest is infection.
Infection is likely to occur if wounds are not properly treated. Sometimes simple soap and water will do; however, there are cases that medication is needed to kill bacteria or diseases that may be passed from animals to their victims. Infection following an animal bite can take time to develop, generally 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms that last over 24 hours should be evaluated by a medical professional. Common symptoms of animal bite infection include:
- Oozing from the injury site
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of sensation around wound
In order to determine if an infection is present or has spread, one’s doctor may order blood tests and possibly an X-ray. These tests will show if any bones or other parts of the body are affected. If an infection spreads and is not properly treated, the results can be disastrous.
Animal bites, whether minor or severe, if they become infected can have severe physical, financial and emotional consequences for victims and their families. New Jersey residents who have been attacked by domestic animals and have developed infections or suffered other injuries as a result may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. An experienced attorney can assist victims of animal bites with filing and litigating the appropriate civil claims in court.
Source: healthline.com, “Animal Bite Infections“, Amber Erickson Gabbey and Diana K. Wells, Accessed on Feb. 8, 2017