Dogs can add a lot of value into our lives. But it's important to note that even the sweetest pup can turn vicious at a moment's notice.

Each year, dogs bite an estimated 4.5 million people, with young children among the most susceptible victims.

And though the hope is that you'll never need to practice dog bite treatment techniques firsthand, knowing what to do can save your life.

Here's what you need to know about treating dog bites.

Care For The Dog Bite at Home

The good news is that most dog bites aren't terribly hard to deal with. In fact, you should be able to deal with most non-serious bites at home.

Here are a few steps you'll want to take.

Get to a Safe Location

Remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible. Though it's entirely possible that the dog bit you out of fear and is as shaken up as you, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Find a safe, sterile location with medical supplies like a first aid kit.

Take Photos of The Dog Bite

Your first instinct likely isn't to take a photo of your newfound injury. And, in all honesty, that makes sense.

But snapping a quick photo of the injury can help doctors if you require medical attention and can also serve as evidence if you decide to pursue legal action.

Sterilize The Wound

If you're bleeding, apply pressure to the wound. When the bleeding subsides, take a warm, clean washcloth and dab the wound.

Now, with the area cleared, rinse the wound with slightly cold water and soap.
Find an adhesive bandage or a bandage wrap and cover the wound. This will keep the site of the dog bite clear and prevent infection.

Seek Medical Treatment if Necessary

Simply taking care of the wound at home may not be enough. In extreme circumstances, you may need to go to the hospital and have the bite examined by a professional.

Most doctors can stitch you up and send you on your way in an hour or less.

Keep your wound bandaged, and look out for swelling and inflammation, as these are common signs of an infection.

Contact a Lawyer

A dog bite can have a very real effect on your life.

Aside from the immense physical pain you've experienced, you may develop a sudden fear of going near dogs.

Under Michigan law, the owner is responsible for the attack no matter what. It doesn't matter if this is the first bite or one of several instances where the dog went off, Michigan law dictates the owner is at fault.

Before heading to court, make an effort to work with the owner. If they become accusatory or difficult to work with, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer, as you may be entitled to fair compensation.

Your Guide to Dog Bite Treatment

However severe the bite may be, proper dog bite treatment is a must. Keeping the injury clean, wrapped, and safe can prevent further damage and help you heal faster.

If you've been the victim of a dog bite, know that you have rights under Michigan law. Get in touch today and let our legal experts help you get the justice you deserve.

Only 4 to 5% of people go to court with a personal injury lawsuit. Most injury lawsuits are settled before reaching court.

No one wants to go through a long court battle. If the party knows they are likely to lose in court, they often ask to settle. Even if you aren't going to court, having an attorney will help guide you through every step of the process. You'll know you're making the right decisions as you go.

Continue reading this article to learn four things that will help you get the fairest settlement for your lawsuit.

Setting Your Personal Injury Lawsuit Up for Success

Whether you need a car accident attorney or you've had another type of injury, the following tips will help you with your case.

1. Evidence of Liability

If you can't prove who was liable and that the incident caused the injury, you're not getting a settlement. If the insurance company denies your claim, it isn't all over.

During the discovery process, accident reconstruction professionals will put the scene together to determine what happened. Medical professionals will also work on this to see what happened to you.

The defendant or their insurance company is allowed to collect evidence against you as well. The best thing to do is to keep quiet and don't talk to anyone but your attorney. Don't tell your insurance company or anyone else anything your attorney doesn't give you the go-ahead about.

2. Lawsuit Location

Depending on the lawsuit location, you may be able to get more compensation. Different counties and cities have different laws about how much money you can request through a lawsuit.

Ask your attorney about the laws in the area you will file your lawsuit to find out how much money you be able to get.

3. Medical Expenses

Insurance companies try to avoid paying for settlements by using loopholes related to medical expenses. To avoid any problems with medical expense disputes, you should see a doctor right away. When you choose the doctor to visit, make sure they are a reputable doctor.

If you go to a doctor that isn't well-known and respected, the insurance company may challenge their opinion.

4. Assets & Insurance

If you go to court against the person at fault and they don't have the ability to pay, you can go after their assets. If the at-fault party doesn't have enough assets either, then you may be able to file a claim against your own insurance to get the rest of the money that you need.

Depending on whether the defendant is able to pay or not is a big part of how much your case is worth.

Get the Help You Need to Win Your Case

When you're trying to win a personal injury lawsuit, if you go it alone, you aren't likely to get as much compensation as you deserve. Let us help you win your case. Look through our page about why you should choose us today.

There are almost as many different types of lawyers as there are potential legal cases in the world. Knowing what type of lawyer you need is an adventure in itself, one you may not be prepared for when your family is going through a rough time.

If you need a lawyer, it helps to know where to start. Here are three of the most common types of lawyers, what they do, and when you should call them.

Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury lawyer is a type of civil litigator. They work specifically in an area known as tort law, which covers private or civil wrongs or injuries.

Generally speaking, personal injury lawyers represent plaintiffs alleging physical or psychological injury as a result of someone else's negligent, whether that third party is a person, business, or organization.

Their goal is to make the injured party (you) whole again (inasmuch as possible) and to discourage others from committing the same wrong that was done to you.

You would call a personal injury attorney for cases such as:

• Medical malpractice
• Workplace injuries
• Vehicle accidents
• Nursing home abuse
• Slip and fall cases
• Dog bites
• Spinal cord injuries
• Insurance/bad faith claims
• Wrongful death

Personal injury lawyers act as their client's advocate, ensuring they get fair treatment throughout the legal process.

Business/Corporate Lawyer

If you love the TV show Suits, then you're familiar with a highly dramatized version of corporate law.

Corporate lawyers are responsible for ensuring the legality of business transactions, and so their knowledge base must be fairly broad. For example, they might advise a client on how to legally structure a business or guide a client through a business acquisition or merger.

As such, a corporate lawyer's knowledge might include a wide range of topics beyond corporate law itself, such as:

• Tax law
• Contract law
• Zoning laws
• Accounting laws
• Bankruptcy laws
• Securities law
• Intellectual property rights

Unlike a personal injury or criminal defense attorney, a corporate lawyer must be a team player by nature, as corporate attorneys on both sides of a transaction aren't adversarial; instead, they're trying to seek common ground for both of their clients in order to find the best possible outcome.

Family Lawyer

Family attorneys are another group that many regular people are familiar with -- they're often referred to as divorce lawyers.

But family law goes much deeper than divorce. It deals with all family-related issues and domestic relations. Many family law firms handle litigation around marriage and divorce, but family lawyers also handle:

• Adoptions
• Guardianship
• Juvenile delinquency
• Domestic violence
• Civil protection orders

Some family lawyers develop a specialty, but many of these lawyers work with different types of family law cases. They must also have a wide range of legal skills, from drafting contracts to counseling clients on their rights and options to litigating contested matters.

Need a Lawyer?

If you need a lawyer, you probably don't have time to wait. You need someone to guide you through the maze in front of you, and you need someone good.

You came to the right place.

We're experienced personal injury experts with the strength, knowledge, and expertise to defend your case and fight for your rights. Our entire legal team takes the time to get to know you, and we take pride in treating our clients with the respect and compassion we would give a family member.

If you need to speak with an attorney about your case, don't hesitate to get in touch for a free consultation.

Did you suffer bodily harm because of a doctor's neglect?

Do you feel you were treated in a dangerous way in your last hospital visit?

You're not alone. In 2012, over $3 billion was spent on medical malpractice payouts.

Let's discuss the facts you need to know about medical malpractice lawsuits.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is defined as an act or continuing conduct by a medical professional that does not meet regular competency standards.

In other words, a doctor who caused unnecessary harm. This can be through an act of negligence, ignorance or intentional wrongdoing.

While the number of cases per year is declining, it is still a major issue. As of 2016, there were an estimated 8,500 malpractice cases settled in the US. Read more if you want to learn more about the statistics.

So, what can happen in these cases?

Money damages, if awarded, typically take into account any form of economic loss. Non-economic loss, such as pain and suffering, are also included.

We'll discuss that later. There are also plenty of online resources to learn more about medical malpractice law in the US.

5 Facts You Need to Know Before Filing a Malpractice Lawsuit

While there is a lot to know about these types of cases, let's go over the essentials.

Determining A Victim

A bad outcome of a surgery, or another medical endeavor, does not always qualify as malpractice.

A malpractice claim exists if a provider's negligence or ignorance led to injury or other damages to the patient. Examples include:

• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Additional medical bills
• Lost work or earning capacity

So let's talk about the process it takes for a claim to be filed.

Your Claim Must Go Before a Medical Review Panel

After speaking with law and insurance professionals, your claim must go before a panel of three doctors before being filed.

Check it out for yourself.

There Is a Two-Year Statute of Limitations

That's right. You can only file a claim within two years of the incident in Michigan.

Acting as soon as possible is the best plan of action. Check out our medical malpractice legal services now.

What Is the Most Common Factor in Malpractice Cases?

According to several medical professionals, the provider's state of mind can be the biggest factor in these cases. Complacency often leads to errors.

Recognizing the behavior of your provider may play a key role in your case.

This seems to be a bigger factor in these cases than the type of procedure being carried out.

Don't Be Afraid to Get a Second Opinion

You may have already spoken to an attorney or your insurance provider about your claim. There is nothing wrong with getting a second legal opinion.

So, if you still believe you have a legitimate malpractice claim, what should you do now?

Next Steps

We learned about determining a valid claim, and a bit about the process.

If you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice, don't wait. Speak to our legal professionals, and we will answer any questions you have.

If we find you have a legitimate claim, we will help you every step of the way.

Meet our team, with the necessary medical knowledge to represent you for your medical malpractice lawsuit. Call us now!