Every year thousands of individual, and children in particular, suffer severe and often disfiguring facial injuries cause by vicious dog attacks. In fact facial damage is one of the most common type of injuries to befell innocent victims of dog bites. This is because dogs, particularly when attack the young,  aim for the face in order to inflict maximum lethality. According to data more than 36% of all animal bite emergency room visit are due to injuries sustained to the cevicofacial region; while a whopping 78% of dog bite injuries to children are the victims facial region. Victims of dog bite who have suffered severe cases of facial injury are entitled to compensation for all their losses.

Example of Facial Injuries Cause by Severe Dog Bites

Some of the most common facial injuries due to dog bites are provided below.

• Amputation and Mayhem – the severing of facial body parts including the nose, cheeks, lips, and ears.
• Broken nose and facial bone fractures.
• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds to the face resulting in disfigurement and permanent scarring.
• Facial nerve damage, bell’s palsy and facial paralysis.
• Loss of eyesight due to ocular damage.
• Brain damage and traumatic brain injury.
• Broken jawbone and dental injuries.

Financial Recovery Available for Victims of Nerve Injury Caused By Dog Bites

Perhaps the most common questions asked by our clients regarding their case is the amount of recovery available is they pursue a personal injury cause of action against the at fault owner of the dog. There are several avenues of compensation available for injured victims base on the specific type of damaged and the severity of those damages.

• Recovery for all medical and health related costs incurred.
• Recovery for future medical and rehabilitation expenses including therapy for the development of PTSD following the dog bite incident.
• All non-economic damages – including pain and suffering, mental anguish and punitive damages.
• All economic damages including loss of wages, lost income, and future reduction of income capacity due to long term or permanent disability.

Attorney Consultation for Victims: If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite and have any legal questions feel free to contact our law offices. All legal consultations and case reviews are provided by our attorneys free of charge.

Further Information:

Dog Bite Laws

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Lawsuits

What is PTSD – Diagnosing Post Traumatic Stress Following a Dog Bite Incident

Dog bite incident especially those involving large dog or small children can be a traumatizing experience often resulting in a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder. Specific signs and symptoms of PTSD is provided below. (1) Re-experiencing of the symptoms – this can include flashbacks, nightmares and bad dreams. (2) Physical Symptoms – this can include racing heartbeat, and sweating. (3) Symptoms associated with avoidance – this can include staying away from location known to have dog present, lack of emotions, numbness loss of interest in usual activities, amnesia – the failure to remember the dog bite incident. (4) Hypersensitivity and arousal – being easily startled.

Establishing Liability Against Dog Owners – Quasi Strict Liability for Dog Bite Owners

The state of California has instituted a ONE BITE RULE – Strict Liability on owners of Dog Bites to attack and bite victims. “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” However there are certain defenses which can be used to reduce and or eliminate liability on the part of the dog owner. These can include (1) Entering into a property without the consent of the property owner. (2) Teasing of a dog or touching of a dog, (3) Attempting to partake in a criminal activity.

Compensation Available for Victims of Dog Bites: Victims of dog bite are entitled to financial recovery for all harms and damages they have suffered. Specific categories of harm compensable in dog bite injury claims is provided below…

1. All medical and rehabilitation costs including hospitalization costs, cost of prescription medications and cosmetic surgeries.

2. Pain and Suffering including mental anguish and Post Traumatic Stress.

3. Lost income and loss of future earning potential due to long term physical and psychological trauma.

4. Punitive Damage – intended to punish an at fault party so as to discourage future intentional or reckless behavior of at fault parties.

Steps to Take if You or a Loved One have Suffered a Dog Bite Incident

1. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Documentation of your injuries as soon as they take place is an important factor in determining the overall settlement or jury verdict that can be reached during a trial.

2. File a police report with your local police department.

3. Take picture of the incident location and your injuries.

3. Contact and experiences dog bite attorney.

Legal Help: If you have any questions feel free to contact our law office. Any consultation with our attorneys are confidential and free of charge.

Legal Rights of Victims: Victims of dog bites have the right to pursue personal injury lawsuits against dog owners and property owners where the dog resided. If you have any further legal questions regarding the filing of a dog bite lawsuit feel free to contact our law offices.

Potential Injuries Following a Dog Bite Incident:

1. Nerve Damage: Common signs of nerve damage from dog bites can include los of sensation, tingling and burning sensation, extra sensitivity to touch, inability to feel specific parts of the body. Victims of nerve damage may have to undergo years of treatment including physical therapy, acupuncture, and the use of pain relieving medications which can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually.

2. Contraction of Post Bite Infections: The potential of infections from dog bites necessitates the immediate treatment of dog bites. Wounds need to be cleaned, with dead tissues being trimmed off. Dog bite victims must be mindful of the early signs of rabies which may include hallucination, symptoms of the flu and severe headaches.

3. Scarring and Disfigurement: The development of scarring following a dog bite incident is an injury that is often overlooked. However victims of permanent scarring have the right to seek out cosmetic treatments and revision surgeries and have the cost of such procedures reimbursed by at fault and or liable parties.

4. Emotional Harm – PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress: By far the most overlooked injury following a dog bite incident is the development of post traumatic stress disorder. Such harm can affect the young and old alike and result in great emotional hardship and mental anguish lasting months and even years following a dog attack incident. Some widespread signs and symptom of PTSD can include nightmares, inability to concentrate during the day, bouts of depression, and a general long term fear of other dogs.