When Dog Bites & Workplace Injuries Lead to Wrongful Death

Below, we discuss what some of the latest research indicates about issues related to dog interactions and workplace injuries:

Dog Licks – Not Just Bites – Can Sometimes Kill

While many people are aware that dog bites can be dangerous, what many do not realize is that even more benign interactions – such as a lick from a dog – can also cause serious problems. For example, one woman recently contracted a serious infection after her dog kissed her open wound. She reportedly ended up in the emergency room, whereby she had to get her legs and hands amputated due to a bacterial infection. This is because while some bacteria that live in dogs’ mouths do not cause the dog problems, they can be pathogenic to humans.

Below, we discuss some of the issues you should look out for – not only when it comes to dog bites, but all interactions with dogs – even a simple kiss:

• Pasteurella, which is present in more than half of all dog bites and the most common source of infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and even meningitis or pneumonia;

• Methicillin-resistant staph (MRSA) is more uncommon, however, if you get infected, it can become very serious if the bacteria get into the bloodstream, as this can lead to sepsis;

• Tetanus bacteria are also uncommon, however, when they do occur, approximately 10 percent of the cases are fatal; and

• Rabies is 100 percent fatal and therefore still a major health concern when it comes to dog bites. This is why it is so important to see a doctor if you receive any kind of skin puncture bite from a dog. Also consider preventing your dog from licking any open wounds until they heal.

Workplace Injuries Now Linked To Increase In Overdose Deaths & Suicides

According to a new study, workplace injuries significantly increase someone’s risk of suicide or drug overdose death. Specifically, according to what researchers found, an injury that lead to taking one week off from work tripled the risk of overdose and suicide death amongst women and increased that same risk amongst men by 50 percent. In addition, men with past injuries that lead to lost work time (i.e. usually an injury that required more than seven days off from work or resulted in permanent disability) were 72 percent more likely to commit suicide and almost 30 percent more likely to die from drug overdose. Women with injuries that lead to this same lost work time were more than 90 percent more likely to commit suicide and almost 200 percent more likely to die from a drug overdose. Research also shows that women who suffer from these injuries also had an increased risk of dying young.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has indicated that if employers addressed the most dangerous issues in the workplace that the agency has identified, the number of amputations, deaths, and other injuries would significantly decrease. The most recent top 10 hazards include falls, hazard communications, scaffolding, respiratory issues, hazardous energy, ladders, industrial trucks, machinery, and eye and face protection issues.

Contact Our Texas Injury Attorneys with Any Questions

If you live in Texas and have been injured or lost a loved one due to a dog bite or workplace injury, contact our experienced Houston dog bite attorneys at The West Law Office today for a free consultation.

Resource:

popsci.com/dog-bite-lick-infection/

/volunteer-dies-due-to-blood-loss-from-dog-bites/