Most traumatic brain injuries are the result of car accidents, falls, and other forms of blunt force trauma. But in the right circumstances, a dog bite can also result in TBI. These cases are unique and require the expertise of a qualified dog bite lawyer with plenty of experience representing canine attack victims and their families.
Continue reading to learn how a dog bite might cause a traumatic brain injury and what to do next if you or someone in your family were hurt by a violent dog.
What’s a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person’s brain is hurt as a result of head trauma. Most often, they happen during car accidents or if someone slips, falls, and hits their head on a hard object. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, these injuries can be classified one of two ways:
Penetrating TBIs
A penetrating TBI occurs alongside an open head injury when an object of some kind pierces through the bone and damages a portion of the brain. This kind of TBI can be caused by a bullet, a hammer, metal fragments, glass, and other sharp objects.
Non-Penetrating TBIs
A non-penetrating traumatic brain injury can occur with blunt trauma or any force strong enough to cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull. Concussions are considered a mild form of non-penetrating TBI and while these often resolve on their own, more severe injuries can leave lasting damage. Common causes include car accidents, contact sports like football, and falls.
In some cases, a person may suffer both a penetrating and non-penetrating TBI at the same time.
How Dog Bites Can Cause Brain Injuries
The majority of brain injuries caused by a dog bite happen to children. This is due to the fact that their bodies are small enough for a canine to get their jaws around the skull and clamp down. It’s also a result of children being small and only as tall as the dog themselves. This makes it easier for a dog to lunge for the child’s face, neck, and head.
However, adults may also suffer brain injuries after a dog attack if:
- The dog pushes the person to the ground and they hit their head
- The attack carries enough force to violently shake the person’s head back and forth
- The dog bites the person’s head or the back of their neck
If they get infected, dog bites can also cause meningitis. This is a serious condition involving bacteria that cause the delicate membranes around the spinal cord and brain to become inflamed and swell. While treatable, meningitis can also be deadly, especially if it’s not caught early enough.
What to Do Next After a Dog Bite Brain Injury
The most important thing to do after a dog attack is to obtain medical treatment. Not only is this crucial for your safety and recovery, it also establishes what happened and how severe it was. If you delay going to the doctor, the owner of the dog or their insurance company will likely try to argue that the bite wasn’t bad enough to require medical treatment.
You should also see about obtaining video evidence of the bite. Most homeowners have doorbell cameras and businesses have CCTV that they use to monitor parking lots and back alleys. If there were any vehicles around at the time of the attack, the drivers may also have footage on their dash cams.
You can get written accounts from witnesses and even hire a medical expert to help explain your injuries and how they will affect you long-term. The more evidence you have to illustrate the severity of the attack and the seriousness of your resulting injuries, the more likely it is that your legal claim will be successful.
How Mazow | McCullough Can Help
Were you or someone you love hurt by a vicious dog? Our team of compassionate New Hampshire and Massachusetts dog bite lawyers are here for you. We have successfully represented dozens of clients who were bitten by a dog and their families and can provide you with the same comprehensive and zealous legal support.
Contact us today to learn more about your right to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering your family has had to endure after a violent dog attack. Call our Salem, MA office now by dialing (978) 744-8000 or call toll free at (855) 693-9084.
