When Dogs Attack by: Karin Murphy

Man's Best Friend Can Be Violent. By: Karin Murphy

Despite being man's best friend, it is a sad truth that over 4.5 million people are bitten each year by dogs in the United States. Even worse, tens of thousands of people need to undergo reconstructive surgery each year as a result of these attacks. Tragically, statistics show that children are most often the victims of dog bites. In fact, injuries to children can be particularly physically and emotionally devastating.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, there were about 72 million dogs in the U.S. in 2016, equaling about one dog for every 4 people.

Unfortunately, 4.5 million people are bitten by those dogs annually, and 20 percent of those people will need medical attention for their wounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about one out of five dog bites will become infected.

Recently, an elderly woman from Queens was killed and her son with special needs was mauled by the dog she was planning to turn in.

Last month, Louise Herminda, 75, was planning to return the dog, a mastiff, because it was too aggressive and uncontrollable, neighbors said. But she apparently waited too long. The dog attacked Herminda, causing what police described as trauma to her upper torso area. She was pronounced dead at New York Presbyterian Hospital. 

Herminda's 39-year-old son, who has autism, was also mauled in the attack. He suffered non-life threatening injuries to his lower-left leg.

6 months ago, a woman was attacked by three pit bulls in Rocky Point, New York. Elana Tsaregorodheva says the three dogs mauled her 3-year-old boxer at Hallock Landing Beach. She suffered multiple injuries. 

Dog bites or attacks can include:

Puncture wounds, lacerations, and bone injuries

Head, facial, arm, leg, and back injuries or even death. 

Serious infections from bacteria such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and methicillin-resistant Staph Tetanus can occur in deep puncture wounds.

Because not all dog owners vaccinate their dogs, rabies is always a consideration when someone gets bit. While rabies isn't as common in the U.S. as it is in other countries, the possibility of infection remains, so anyone who is bitten by a dog they don't know should seek medical treatment immediately.

The Sanders Firm

If you or a family member has suffered a serious personal injury as the result of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. The Sanders Firm has been helping people for 50 years and understands how to effectively represent clients who have been injured in due to a dog attack. 

If you feel you may have a personal injury case on your hands after sustaining a serious dog bite injury, call us today at 1.800.FAIR.PLAY for a FREE case evaluation, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case review. There is no obligation.

Are Municipalities Tricking You? - By Phyllis Sanders

There is a big secret many municipalities don’t want you to know!

In a big city or town there may be a defect that is dangerous and can cause injuries. If you say this you probably would want to report it to the proper authorities. You certainly wouldn't want anyone to be injured. But how do you alert the correct people? You might go on the appropriate municipalities website. You would be prompted to make a phone call or send an email. If the municipality does not do a prompt repair after you have alerted them, and someone is injured the municipality could still claim they did not have proper notice. Why is this? In order to properly notify a municipality of a dangerous defective condition, you must send a certified letter to the appropriate party in the

 municipality. This letter should be sent return receipt requested. This is the way it must be done to be a legal notice. If you follow the proper procedure and someone is injured he or she would be entitled to make a claim for money damages against the municipality.

The municipality is being disingenuous when they tell you to phone in the complaint or to email it. The notice requirement is draconian and shields the municipality from its negligence in making proper and prompt repairs when necessary. 

5 Warning signs of nursing home neglect - By Ted Goralski

As our population ages, more and more of us are faced with the difficult decision of placing our elderly loved ones in long term care facilities. It is never easy for families to hand of the care of their elderly to nursing homes but it is even more gut wrenching when the nursing home doesn’t uphold the promise to take care of our loved ones.  Often, nursing home residents can not communicate due to neurological impairment or dementia. It can be hard to know whether the care is adequate based on relatively short visits even if you can stop in daily.  How can we be sure that the staff is caring for our parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents? Here are a five signs you should look for in order to protect them.

1.     Sudden weight loss

Nursing homes are responsible for maintaining acceptable nutritional levels.  Weight loss may be a sign of Dehydration and Malnutrition due to the failure of the staff to  monitor food intake.  Weight loss can also be a sign of an un-diagnosed illness such as cancer, kidney disease or gastrointestinal disease.

 

2.     Bedsores, or pressure ulcers

Many nursing home residents have mobility limitations.  If they are left in bed without being moved they can develop skin breakdowns that can rapidly deteriorate.  These wounds develop most commonly on the pressure points such as heels, buttocks and shoulders. If not properly treated these wounds can become infected and even cause death. 

3.     Injuries from nursing home falls

Nursing home residents should be assessed for risk of falling.  Many elderly patients, have trouble with balance or are simply too weak.  If proper safety measures such as bed rails, skid free footwear, and seat belts are not in place, serious injury can result. Minor bruises, lacerations, or limited motion can be a sign of a fall and a warning sign that the resident is at risk for future falls.

4.     Behavioral Changes

Withdrawn elder behavior or unusual changes in behavior can be a sign of an unhealthy environment.  Changes in personal hygiene or appearance efforts or a growing lack of friendly interaction with the nursing home staff or residents may be the first signs that a nursing home resident is not receiving proper care

5.     Environmental hazards

When visiting loved ones it pays to look around and observe the environment. Poor lighting, slippery floors, unsafe mobility equipment, or unsafe furniture in the nursing home patient’s room can all be signs that the nursing home isn’t providing the proper level of care.  Cleanliness is also important and dirt, debris, and clutter are all indications that the nursing home staff are not keeping up with their duties.

Keeping a watchful eye can help to prevent injury but if injuries from bed sores, falls, abuse or neglect do occur there is legal recourse.  At the Sanders Firm we fight to protect and recover compensation for nursing home residents, and their families, when nursing homes fail to provide proper care. 

Smoking and TB - A Dangerous Duo

A Message From Senior Attorney Robert Jackson 

We have come a long way from the days of Doctors smoking Cigarettes, claiming health benefits. As we know, smoking is detrimental to health, leading to diseases from Asthma to Cancer.

Smoking puts people at higher risk of developing tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is caused by an infectious bacteria. It leads to lung problems and, in some cases, death.

The disease first attacks immune cells called macrophages in the body. Often, the macrophages win that battle and are able to ward off infection. But in people who smoke, smoke particles clog up these immune cells. The macrophages become full of toxins from cigarettes and aren't able to move as quickly as needed. That makes the bacteria more likely to evade the body's defenses.

Tuberculosis has become a cause for concern among the general population. The Centers for Disease Control have found that the number of cases in the US rose last year for the first time in nearly 25 years.

Protect yourself and loved ones from falling victim to this disease. 

Call 1.800.FAIR.PLAY for more information. The Sanders Firm cares.