Broken Bones

A dog’s Powerful Jaws Can Cause Bone Fractures

The human body is a remarkable, durable thing. It can take a lot of punishment and still operate at a high level.

Unfortunately, a dog bite attack can do severe damage and leave you with significant pain and long-term injuries. Among the most common results of a dog bite attack are broken bones.

The New Jersey dog bite lawyer, David J. Cowhey, has seen many clients come into his office with broken bones and fractures caused by their attacks. These broken bones take a long time to heal, and treating them is expensive.

If you’re a New Jersey resident dealing with broken bones from a dog bite attack, our attorney wants to speak to you about your case. Please call David J. Cowhey at (609) 513-0627 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Serious Attacks, Serious Injuries

One of the points we have emphasized throughout this site is the seriousness of dog bite attacks. We do so because we want you to know that we understand what you’re dealing with. We know that your attack was not a small thing- it was a serious incident that should be treated as such.

The broken bones we’ve seen are sad evidence of this reality.

Many people don’t associate dog bite attacks with broken bones, but they’re a common result of these attacks. There are two common ways in which bones break during attacks

• Large dogs, such as St. Bernards, can launch themselves onto people with great force, driving the victim onto the ground. The force of the collisions involved can break or fracture bones
• When the bones involved are small and relatively delicate, even small dogs can break them. The bones in your nose, ears and hands are easily broken, and a dog can bite with great force.

Neck and back injuries are often related to breaks or fractures.

It shouldn’t need to be said, but a broken bone is a serious issue. Treating these injuries requires a significant investment of time and money, and there is also a lot of pain and discomfort to deal with.

Our New Jersey dog bite lawyer will vigorously pursue the compensation you deserve. Mr. Cowhey won’t be intimidated by the insurance companies, and he has a proven track record of successfully representing innocent victims like you.

If you live anywhere in New Jersey and you want a dog bite law firm you know you can trust, please call David J. Cowhey at (609) 513-0627 or contact us online for a free consultation

Can a Dog Bite Really Break Your Bones? Understanding the Risks and Symptoms

Being attacked by someone else’s dog is not only a terrifying event but can also be exceptionally dangerous. In fact, a dog’s bite can break a bone and lead to a wide range of related complications. Some dog bite victims require extensive treatment, including surgery, and they might have permanent disfigurement.

When a dog bites you, there are options to hold them liable for your medical bills and other injury-related losses. If you or someone you love is injured as a result of a dog bite, turn to an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer for the skilled legal guidance you need.

More Than Just a Scratch: The Seriousness of Dog Bites and the Potential for Bone Fractures

One of the primary factors related to a dog’s strength – and therefore the risk it poses – is its bite force, which can be measured scientifically in pounds per square inch (psi). This standard measurement specifies the amount of force that is exerted by a dog’s jaw per square inch of space.

Comparing Bite Force

By way of comparison, consider the following:

• On average, humans have a bite force of 120 to 140 psi.
• The average bite force of dogs is 230 to 250 psi, but some large, strong breeds far exceed this dangerous average.
• Nile crocodiles, which have the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom, have a bite force of 5,000 psi.

While a dog bite is never as terrifying as a crocodile, it is still a traumatizing experience that can result in a range of physical injuries, including broken bones.

Breeds that Are Most Likely to Break a Bone

The strength of an animal’s bite hinges on the size of its body and skull – as well as its jaw shape – and this applies across the board, including dogs. As such, dog breeds with the largest heads have the highest bite force, with mastiffs topping the chart.

While any dog’s bite can be dangerous, the following mastiff breeds have the strongest bite force and are most likely to cause serious injuries such as broken bones:

• The Kangal, with an average bite force of 743 psi
• The cane corso, with an average bite force of 700 psi
• The Dogue de Bordeaux, with an average bite force of 556 psi
• The English mastiff, with an average bite force of 552 psi
• The Dogo Canario, with an average bite force of 540 psi
• The Dogo Argentino, with an average bite force of 500 psi

From here, we move to bulldog breeds, including:

• The American bulldog, with an average bite force of 305 psi
• The pit bull, with an average bite force of 235 psi
• The Alano Español, with an average bite force of 227 psi
• The English bulldog, with an average bite force of 210 psi

Third up are shepherd breeds, including:

• The German shepherd, with an average bite force of 238 psi
• The Dutch shepherd with an average bite force of 224 psi
• The Belgian shepherd – or Malinois – with an average bite force of 195 psi

Finally, we address miscellaneous breeds with exceptionally strong bites, including:

• The bandog, with an average bite force of 730 psi
• The Tosa Inu, with an average bite force of 556 psi
• The Leonberger, with an average bite force of 399 psi
• The rottweiler, with an average bite force of 328 psi
• The boxer, with an average bite force of 230 psi
• The Doberman, with an average bite force of 228 psi
• The chow chow, with an average bite force of 220 psi

Runners-up in terms of bite force include the following:

• Wolf dogs
• Akita Inus
• Labrador retrievers
• African wild dogs
• Great Danes
• Siberian Huskies

Other factors that can affect how ferocious a dog’s attack will be and how likely it is to cause very serious injuries, such as bone breaks, include the following:

• How aggressive the animal is
• How well the dog is trained
• How well-socialized the pet is
• If the dog’s attack was triggered by something

The Most Dangerous Dog Breeds: Separating Fact from Fiction

Your own dog is undoubtedly your best friend, but a stranger’s dog can be frightening. The fact is that some dogs are more dangerous than others, but the statistics may surprise you. If you or someone you know has been harmed by a dog bite or attack, the injuries sustained can be exceptionally serious, which makes reaching out to an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer an important early step.

What the Data Really Shows: Examining the Statistics of Dog Bite Fatalities by Breed

When it comes to dangerous dogs, the trait of aggression plays a significant role, and according to DogsBite.org, the two breeds in this country that are the most aggressive and, therefore, the most dangerous are pit bull terriers and rottweilers.

Pit Bulls and Rottweilers: The Statistics

The eye-opening statistics related to pit bull terriers and rottweilers include the following:

• In a 20-year government study from the 70s to the 90s, pit bulls and rottweilers were responsible for almost half of the 238 fatalities.
• Of the 521 people who died as a result of dog attacks in the United States during a 15-year stretch from the 90s to the 2000s, more than 75 percent involved pit bulls and rottweilers.
• The number of dog bite fatalities doubled from the 70s to the 00s, and in the process, pit bulls and rottweilers have strengthened their hold in terms of the percentage they are responsible for.
• The number of fatal attacks by pit bulls has been seven times the number of attacks by rottweilers since 2005.

A quality that makes pit bulls especially dangerous is that they often attack without displaying any sign of aggression or giving any other warning.

Nature vs. Nurture: How Dog Breeds and Temperament Interact to Determine Risk

The debate over nature vs. nurture rages on, but K9 of Mine reports that a mixture of both play a role in how aggressive a dog is. These dog experts share that a dog’s temperament, behavioral tendencies, and personality are all passed to it genetically, but these factors are not 100 percent heritable. How a dog is raised, trained, and socialized all matter in relation to a dog’s overall temperament, which is thought to be about 40 percent attributable to genetics and about 60 percent attributable to the environment.

As such, some dogs are far more likely to attack as a pure matter of their genetics, but the environment in which they were raised and live can play a significant role in how this plays out in the world.

Responsible Ownership: Tips for Mitigating the Risk of Dangerous Dog Breeds

Owning a dog comes with an immense responsibility to the animal itself and to those it interacts with. While pet owners should employ all due care whenever their dogs are around strangers, those who own breeds that are known for aggression need to exercise greater vigilance. Some helpful tips for mitigating the risk of dangerous dog breeds include the following:

• Keep a break stick – a favorite stick or toy that will cause the dog to break its grip – handy whenever your dog is around others.
• Spay or neuter your dog, which helps to reduce the risk of running and attracting other dogs.
• Socialize your pet to help ensure it feels comfortable in a wide range of circumstances without forcing the animal to do anything and while ensuring that others are protected from any sudden aggression.
• Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise while taking all necessary precautions to protect others in the process.
• Use reward-based techniques for training your dog with basic commands, which makes managing your pet easier and more consistent.
• Contain your dog safely whenever you can’t be with it, and when you are out in public, keep it on a short, sturdy leash at all times. Owning a dog that is too large for you to restrain on a leash is not a good plan.
• When walking your dog, keep it back from other dogs and don’t allow other people to pet it.
• Dangerous breeds are not safe in dog parks. You need to have your own means of exercising your dog – such as a large, securely fenced backyard.
• If your dog has menaced a member of your family, it means that person has been targeted, and the only way to completely secure their safety is by removing the dog from your household.

The number one tip for ensuring that your dog never harms anyone is by never giving the animal the chance. Showing off how well your pet behaves is a terrible idea. Resist the urge to put other people and other pets at risk by avoiding situations in which your dog has the opportunity to bite.

Focusing on Prevention: Strategies for Avoiding Dog Bites and Attacks

Having a healthy fear of strange dogs is well advised. There are, however, some steps you can take to help protect yourself and your children from dog bites, including:

• Never reach out and pet a dog without first asking for permission from the owner, and if the dog is a dangerous breed, skip petting the dog in the first place.
• If you do go to pet someone else’s dog after receiving permission to do so, allow the pet to first sniff your closed hand before proceeding to pet it.
• Never pet a dog when it is eating, chewing on something, nursing its pups, or sleeping.
• Keep a safe distance from a dog that is showing any warning signs of aggression, such as growling, barking, or snarling.
• Do not approach a dog that is loose, tied up, or behind a fence.
• If you find a dog who is injured, do not approach it. Instead, locate the owner or call animal control to get the dog the care it needs.
• Keep your children a safe distance from all dogs that are unknown to you, and teach them to be wary of these animals.
• Teach your children never to hit, poke, pinch, or tease a dog – and never to pull a dog’s tail.
• Never leave a small child unattended with a dog – even if it’s your family pet.

If you are in a situation in which you are afraid a dog may attack, there are some important dos and don’ts that you should know and implement, including:

• Do not scream or run away from the animal.
• Remain still and quiet.
• Do not turn your back on a potentially aggressive dog.
• Do not make eye contact with a potentially aggressive dog.
• Keep your hands at your sides and stay as motionless as you can.
• If the dog loses interest in you, it’s time to back slowly out of sight.
• If you are being attacked, find something to put between you and the animal, such as a jacket, bike, bag, purse, or anything else at hand.
• If a dog knocks you to the ground, curl into a ball, cover your ears with your hands, and remain motionless.

Turn to an Experienced New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer for the Help You Need

If you have been injured by someone else’s dog, it’s time to reach out for the help you need, and David J. Cowhey at The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer is on your side. David’s practice focuses on complex dog bite claims, and his impressive experience skillfully guides every case he takes on. Obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled is critical to your recovery, and we can help you with that. To learn more about what we can do for you, please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 866-343-3181 today.

Bone Breaks and Bites: How Dog Attacks Can Lead to Orthopedic Injuries

A dog’s bite can exert sufficient force to crush or break a victim’s bone, and the nature of dog attacks means that such breaks are likely to be complicated – rather than simple breaks, which are still exceptionally painful and slow to heal but are less likely to cause secondary health concerns and complications. The bite of a strong dog can easily rip through a victim’s flesh and can break bones in the process.

Every broken bone requires prompt medical attention, but if the break in question is the result of a major trauma like a dog mauling, it is – according to the Mayo Clinic – time to call 911.

The Telltale Signs of a Broken Bone after a Dog Bite: Recognizing the Symptoms and Seeking Treatment

The Mayo Clinic reports that all of the following are telltale signs that the injured person has suffered a serious break and needs prompt emergency care:

• If even gentle pressure or slight movement to the wounded area causes serious pain
• If the bone has pierced the skin
• If the suspected break is in the back, head, or neck
• If the wound is bleeding heavily, is heavily bruised, or is swelling quickly
• If the victim can’t put weight on the limb
• If the injured limb or joint looks deformed
• If an extremity of the injured limb is numb or has taken on a bluish tinge

If the dog bite victim isn’t breathing or doesn’t have a heartbeat, begin CPR while you wait for the authorities to arrive.

The treatment for broken bones sustained in a dog attack generally includes all the following:

• Cleaning the wound
• Immobilizing the injured area
• Reducing the swelling
• Relieving the associated pain
• Treating for shock
• Treating for infections, which are closely associated with dog bites
• Performing surgery as needed
• Attending to follow-up care, which can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, scar care, and plastic surgery

The areas of the body most likely to be attacked by a dog are the lower legs, the neck and face region, and the hands – all of which can lead to serious health complications and long, difficult recoveries.

Preventing Long-Term Damage: Why It’s Important to Address Bone Fractures Caused by Dog Bites

A broken bone is a serious injury that requires professional medical attention early on. If you or someone you care about has suffered a break as a result of a dog attack, the most important step you can take in relation to your health and recovery is obtaining the medical attention that you need.

A broken bone that goes without adequate medical care can become an even more serious health concern and can lead to long-lasting complications that can include chronic pain and serious losses related to your range of motion. Because dogs rip and tear the flesh – rather than slice through it cleanly – the damage is far more likely to cause serious complications that often mean multiple surgeries and considerable ongoing care.

Your Dog Bite Claim

If someone else’s dog leaves you injured, obtaining just compensation that fairly addresses your full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses can play a critical role in your overall recovery. In your dog bite claim, you can seek compensation in three primary categories.

Your Medical Bills

If you suffered a break as a result of a dog attack, your medical costs are likely to be extensive, and they’re unlikely to go away any time soon. Common medical expenses include:

• Emergency care and transportation
• Surgery and follow-up care
• Care from doctors, specialists, and hospital staff
• Medical tests, treatments, and procedures
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Pain management

Your Lost Earnings

If you’ve suffered a broken bone, it can easily interfere with your ability to do your job in the short term and could permanently affect your ability to continue working in the same capacity. If your overall career is affected, it can have emotional repercussions as well as financial consequences.

Your Pain and Suffering

The pain, suffering, and sheer terror of being savagely attacked by someone else’s dog is difficult to overstate. In fact, the emotional effects can be crippling. Many victims develop an outsized fear of dogs and can even have trouble venturing outside and enjoying their lives the way they did prior to the incident.