Injuries from a dog bite can cause a wide range of problems. You may be facing a long road to recovery from numbness to infection, scarring, and paralysis. In some cases, you may not even be able to walk again. In addition, it may be years before you can return to normal activities.
Pain and Suffering
A dog bite can cause many symptoms, including physical pain and emotional distress. Dog bites are incredibly traumatizing for children who experience more distress and anxiety. They can also cause disfigurement and scarring. In some cases, dog bites can cause a lifelong fear of dogs. You may be entitled to compensation if a dog has injured you or a loved one.
If a dog has attacked you or a family member, it is essential to seek medical care as soon as possible. It can take several days before a dog bite victim shows any apparent symptoms. Regardless of how small or insignificant the injuries may seem, it is essential to get prompt medical attention to avoid developing an infection. Severe infections from dog bites can be life-threatening, including rabies, Pasteurella, and pneumonia.
Infections
Infections from a dog bite can cause a range of different symptoms. These include fever, pain, and weakness, which may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis. Some people may even suffer from sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection. While these are rare cases, they should not be ignored.
Bacterial pathogens commonly found in dog bite wounds can be fatal. The first step in treatment is identifying whether the wound is potentially high-risk. Infections are more likely to be life-threatening in a deep wound or a wound contaminated with other debris. Antibiotics can be used to treat a dog bite if the wound is superficial and without muscle involvement.
Symptoms of a dog bite usually begin within a day of the attack. Without immediate treatment, they can get worse very quickly. Depending on the severity of the infection, patients may require x-rays to confirm the presence of infection or surgical intervention. Fortunately, the injured party can recover the costs of treatment and lab tests. They can also recover for lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Scarring
Dog bites can leave scarring on a victim’s skin. The extent of scarring depends on the severity of the bite, the area affected, and the healing time of the wound. Scars can be disfiguring and can interfere with a person’s physical and emotional life. For example, they can prevent them from doing things they used to enjoy. In some cases, the scars may even prevent them from working.
In addition to physical scarring, dog bite victims may experience depression and low self-esteem. Although plastic surgery can minimize some visible scarring, most people will have to live with some residual scarring for the rest of their lives. This emotional scarring can make the victim depressed and even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder affects a victim’s social, professional, and romantic life.
Legal Recourse
Dog bites are often considered traumatic injuries, but legal recourse can help victims recover the money they need to pay bills and support their families and there is this website about dog bite lawyers who may guide you. Besides physical injuries, dog bite victims can also seek compensation for the emotional trauma they’ve experienced. This is an important step toward seeking justice.
Children are especially vulnerable to the impulses of vicious dogs. They can suffer emotional trauma and physical disfigurement. This can cause a child to have a lifelong fear of dogs. If the dog is vicious, the owner can be held liable for the injury a child sustains.
Dog bite victims can seek damages by filing a claim under Colorado law. This statute provides strict liability to dog owners, but only in serious injury cases. The law gives victims two years to file a claim.
Costs of Treatment
The costs of dog bite treatment vary by the type of injury and the severity of the wound. Medical expenses for dog bites can run into thousands of dollars. These expenses include emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and cosmetic surgery. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost insurers an average of $45,134 per claim.
In addition to physical damages, dog bite victims may also require psychological treatment. In addition to the physical discomfort, victims may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to the material costs, many dog bite victims must undergo therapy and several surgeries to restore their physical appearance.
