Florida is a state with many animals, pets, and wildlife. While this makes the land extraordinarily beautiful and pleasant to live in, it can also be a hazard. In the United States, millions of people annually are bitten by animals. In most cases, bites occur on the dominant hand. However, animal bites can also occur in the neck and head area. Animal bites can be quite a serious problem. They can pass on rabies and other illnesses. In some cases, animal bites require extensive and expensive cosmetic surgery as well as rehabilitation. Bites can affect the mobility of a person and can even lead to brain injuries. Unfortunately, children are most affected by animal bites, and they are the ones most likely to suffer serious injuries. Every year, serious injuries to minors and children are due to animal bites.
Most animal bites that occur in Florida and across the country are from dogs. However, bites from wild animals are a close second common cause of bites. Bites from wild animals are a problem because the risk of infection is much higher with these animal bites. Although many pets in the United States are vaccinated, animal bites from wild animals do carry the risk of rabies. Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and other animals also do bite and can transmit rabies.
Bites do not have to break the skin in order to be dangerous. Animals can tear, crush, and damage ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, and nerves, even if the skin is not broken. When the skin is broken during an animal attack, the additional risk of infection must be considered. If you have suffered from animal bites, and experience swelling, pain, a sense of warmth, or redness around the wound, you may have an infection. It is important to see a medical professional in order to determine whether you are infected. Even if you have no symptoms, it is wise to see a physician. A doctor can determine whether there has been any permanent or lasting damage as a result of your bite wound. In some cases, infection does not have obvious symptoms, and delaying treatment can complicate your situation considerably.
If you have suffered an animal bite and have a loss of feeling near the wound or have difficulty bending or straightening the limbs near the wound, you may have injured nerves or tendons as a result of the bite. Again, it is important to seek medical professional help in order to get treatment immediately so that rehabilitation can occur.
When dealing with animal bites, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Seek a qualified physician right away. If possible, bring the animal or the remains of the animal with you as well as details about the incident. The physician will ask you how the bite was received and will wash the area thoroughly. A qualified physician will also check for signs of infection, or for indications of tendon or nerve damage. If there are any signs of a problem, a physician can begin treatment right away.
If you have been bitten by an animal, you should contact your local public health department. This department can help you locate the animal and can help ensure that the animal is safely removed from the public, so that it cannot bite others. If you have been bitten by an animal, you may also wish to contact a qualified Florida attorney. If you have been bitten by a pet, the pet owner is responsible for your injuries. If you have suffered lost wages as a result of your bites, or require extensive medical treatment, the law ensures that you can get financial help in paying for these additional costs.