The Hidden Danger After a Bite

Most victims focus on torn tissue and bleeding, but infection is often the greater threat. A dog's mouth harbors dozens of pathogenic bacteria. When those organisms enter deep tissue, the consequences can be life-threatening — and staggeringly expensive.

Sepsis from Dog Bite Wounds

Sepsis is the body's extreme response to infection. It occurs when bacteria from a bite wound enter the bloodstream, triggering organ dysfunction and potentially septic shock. Sepsis requires immediate ICU admission, IV antibiotics, vasopressors, and continuous monitoring.

Capnocytophaga Infection

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacterium found in the saliva of healthy dogs and cats. While rare, it can cause severe illness in humans — particularly those with weakened immune systems. Infections can progress to gangrene, amputation, and death within days of the bite.

Because Capnocytophaga infections are often misdiagnosed initially, victims may suffer worsened outcomes due to delayed treatment. Our attorneys work with infectious disease specialists to establish the direct causal link between the bite and the infection.

Tetanus Risk & Immunization

Dog bites are considered "dirty wounds" under CDC guidelines. If a victim's tetanus immunization is not current, a tetanus booster or tetanus immune globulin (TIG) is required. For unvaccinated individuals, the full tetanus immunoglobulin series may be necessary alongside wound debridement.

We ensure all prophylactic treatment costs are included in your demand — including follow-up doses and any adverse reactions requiring additional care.

Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

If the biting dog cannot be located, quarantined, or verified as vaccinated, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is medically necessary. Rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear, making immediate treatment non-negotiable.

What Rabies Protocol Costs Include

• Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) — Administered once at the wound site and intramuscularly; one of the most expensive injections in medicine.
• Rabies vaccine series — Four doses administered over 14 days (days 0, 3, 7, and 14).
• Wound cleansing & suturing — Thorough irrigation and possible delayed primary closure.
• ER & specialist visits — Multiple emergency department visits for each dose administration.

The total cost of rabies PEP can exceed $10,000 to $20,000+ depending on body weight (HRIG is dosed by weight), facility fees, and geographic location. These are damages the dog owner — and their insurer — must cover.

How We Prove Infection-Related Damages

Insurance companies routinely dispute infection claims by arguing the victim failed to clean the wound or sought delayed care. We dismantle these defenses with:

• Infectious disease expert testimony linking the specific bacteria to canine oral flora.
• Complete medical chronologies showing the infection timeline from bite to diagnosis.
• Life-care planning for chronic post-infection conditions.
• Economic analysis of all past and future treatment costs.

Related Injury Types

Dog bite victims often suffer multiple concurrent injuries. Explore our other practice areas:

• Facial Scarring & Disfigurement
• Nerve Damage & Disfigurement
• Bone Fractures & Orthopedic Injury
• PTSD & Psychological Trauma