Many incidents could occur that could result in either puncture wounds or lacerations. Some everyday activities put you at risk of injury while other rarer hazards lurk around every corner. When your injury is the direct result of another’s carelessness or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages you incurred. Our experienced Maryland attorney will work with you to evaluate your personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one suffered a puncture wound or laceration due to someone else’s negligence, contact the knowledgeable Maryland puncture wound and laceration lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras. We have assisted hundreds of individuals who have suffered severe injuries. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free consultation.
Laceration vs. Puncture Wound
While both lacerations and puncture wounds involve damage to the skin and underlying tissue, they do have different characteristics. Despite the distinct features of each type of injury, both can be serious and, if left untreated, could result in additional adverse medical consequences.
Lacerations are a tearing of the soft tissue and skin resulting in a wound that is irregular and jagged in appearance. In many instances, the wound may still contain debris or bacteria from whatever object inflicted the injury.
A puncture wound occurs when a sharp or pointed object pierces your skin. Two common examples of puncture wounds are dog bites or accidentally stepping on a nail. Very often, puncture wounds bleed very little and appear closed. However, puncture wounds usually affect the deeper tissue and can lead to infection if left untreated.
Other people’s negligence could directly lead to painful lacerations and puncture wounds. Our experienced Maryland attorney will analyze the facts of your case to help determine who is liable for your injuries in puncture wound and laceration cases.
Causes of Lacerations and Puncture Wounds in Maryland
Any accidental incision, puncture, or laceration could result in serious medical complications. For instance, an infection from an unrepaired laceration could prolong your recovery or require additional surgical procedures to repair the damaged tissue. You might also unknowingly experience internal bleeding that may require emergency surgery or a blood transfusion. In some instances, a mistaken laceration or puncture wound can result in death. No matter what type of accident occurred, these wounds could be serious.
Dogs can look fun playful, but they are capable of inflicting serious harm. Dog bites injure millions of people in the United States every year. If you were attacked and sustained a puncture wound from a dog, you should seek immediate medical attention to treat the wound and avoid infection. A dog bite could cause nerve damage and, in some rare cases, rabies. In Maryland, if a dog is not leashed and is not on the owner’s property, the owner is strictly liable for any harm the dog causes.
Construction sites could also cause dangerous hazards that could cause lacerations or puncture wounds to people walking through or near the area. If debris is allowed to litter the ground on a walkway through the area, you may find yourself with a nail through your shoe and into your foot. Construction crews should keep walkways clear, and areas where you should not walk should be clearly designated. Also, leaving tools or equipment exposed could lead to lacerations if someone unknowingly brushes against an unseen sharp edge.
Car accidents often inflict injuries on the drivers and passengers involved in the crash. the force of impact can send shards of metal and glass flying through the interior of the car, resulting in a risk of lacerations and puncture wounds. If your accident was caused by another driver’s reckless or aggressive driving, call our Maryland laceration and puncture wound attorney today to evaluate your case.
Damages for Lacerations and Puncture Wounds in Maryland
Serious wounds can lead to substantial financial losses. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, you might be able to seek compensation for the economic damages you have suffered. Economic damages usually include loss of wages and medical expenses. You are also often entitled to noneconomic damages for pain and suffering and emotional distress. Our lawyers will work with you in calculating the amount you deserve.
Maryland follows the “contributory negligence” doctrine for personal injury cases. To be eligible to receive compensation for any injuries you sustained, your actions must not have contributed to your injury. For example, if your lacerations or puncture wounds were inflicted in a car accident that you caused, you would not be entitled to compensation from the other driver.
Call Our Maryland Puncture Wound and Laceration Lawyer for a Free Legal Consultation
Puncture wounds and lacerations come in a variety of severities and from a multitude of causes. If another individual’s negligence directly caused your injury, contact our Maryland puncture wound and laceration lawyer to evaluate your case. Our experienced attorneys have the resources and knowledge to diligently fight for your interests no matter how you received your injury. The Maryland injury attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we know serious wounds can result in lost wages and medical expenses, and we will work to ensure you are compensated for your damages. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free case consultation.