Crush Injuries and You: The Danger of Dog Bites

It only takes a minute. You could be walking along, minding your own business, when a ferocious dog suddenly sets upon you like a lightning bolt falling out of the sky. Dog bites are serious injuries which can lead to long-term physical and psychological damage. According to the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, “approximately 1.6 million U.S. patients were reported with nonfatal dog bites” between the years 2005 and 2009.

Crush Injuries

One of the more common types of injuries produced by dog bites is a crush injury. The American College of Emergency Physicians defines crush injuries as the “compression of extremities or other parts of the body that causes muscle swelling and/or neurological disturbances in the affected areas of the body.” In short, the injured parts of the body are literally crushed by an extreme amount of pressure. A crush injury can produce serious damage and should not be taken lightly.

Crush Injury Damage

One such source of pressure could be the strong jaws of a dog. On average, an adult dog’s jaw can produce 200 pounds of pressure per square inch, more than enough to crush an artery or even a bone. Many people who suffer crush injuries from dog bites don’t even know the full extent of the damage they suffered since crush injuries can occur without the skin breaking. Crush injuries can cause internal bleeding, deep bruising, infection, nerve damage, and even compartment syndrome.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, visit an emergency room as soon as possible. Many injuries may be beneath the skin and should be attended to by a practicing physician as soon as possible. In the meantime, put pressure on an injured area and raise the injury above the heart to suppress bleeding. Be prepared to undergo surgery if your doctor recommends it.

Contact The Advocates

If you’ve suffered a dog bite, your life may be negatively impacted for months, if not years. A severe enough dog bite can cause you to miss work, incur huge medical bills, and keep you from leading a normal life. You have a legal right to compensation. Contact The Advocates for a free evaluation of your case and begin down the road to recovery today.