Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Aaron Gordon, a forward for the Denver Nuggets, will be sidelined following a dog bite on Christmas that left him with facial and hand injuries.
After the dog bite, Gordon needed 21 stitches to heal the cuts on his face and right hand, which is his shooting hand, according to league sources.
Gordon is “in good condition,” but the Nuggets announced on Wednesday that he will miss time with the team while he heals. They gave no schedule for when he might return.
Throughout 28 games this season with the defending champion Nuggets, he has averaged 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Incidents of dog bites are a serious issue. In fact, the American Veterinary Association reports that 4.5 million people suffer from dog bite attacks each year. While some of these bites may be minor injuries that do not require medical attention, an estimated 800,000 people require extensive medical care, which may include plastic surgery for facial injuries, every year due to dog bites and attacks. Hospital fees can be exorbitant, and an ER visit may necessitate filing a dog bite lawsuit to obtain monetary compensation for these significant damages.
Puncture wounds and injuries to the hands and arms are the most frequent forms of injuries sustained after a dog bite. Dogs tend to target specific body parts more than others; the hands and arms account for over half (45.3%) of all bite injuries, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over $1 billion was spent on dog-related injury claims in 2022
Since homeowner’s insurance is designed to cover injuries received on your property, claims for dog bite injuries may be covered by it. Many dog bite injuries end up being extremely expensive, making it difficult for homeowners to pay for such injuries out of pocket. Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance allows you to still get these expensive medical bills paid without having to deal with the worry and stress of having to sue a friend or relative.
Dog-related injuries cost homeowners insurance companies a lot of money because of the high number of claims each year and the high payouts. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that in 2022, home insurance companies paid out a total of $1.136 billion for claims involving dogs.
California has the most dog bite and dog-related attack claims, accounting for 1,954 claims followed by Florida with 1,331 claims, according to a recent Forbes report.
With dog bites occurring in the US every 75 seconds, being prepared for what to do in the instant aftermath of an attack can help ease the trauma of an otherwise terrifying circumstance.
- Get medical help right away.
- Notify local authorities about the occurrence.
- Identify witnesses and get their accounts of what happened. Make sure you get their contact information in case you need it in the future to help with a potential claim.
- Take pictures and videos of the injuries. It is hard to refute photographic evidence that supports your claim.
- Speak with our knowledgeable dog bite injury lawyers in Florida as soon as possible to preserve all critical evidence and meet all necessary deadlines.
If you have been injured in a dog bite attack in Florida, our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. We know that every dog bite claim is unique, but we can investigate the incident and any applicable local laws that will help you seek financial compensation against a negligent dog owner. We can help you determine the best course of legal action and make sure that the full scope of your injuries is considered. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.