Arizona Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites can result in a wide range of injuries, including:

Puncture Wounds and Lacerations

Among the most common dog bite injuries are skin and tissue damage like bruising, lacerations, and puncture wounds. These injuries can be minor and superficial if they are shallow but can be quite severe for deep and/or open wounds. The severity of injuries can vary, depending on the size and strength of the dog, location on the body, and duration of the attack. One must seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent blood loss, close the wound, mitigate scarring & disfigurement, and prevent infection.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Bone fractures are one of the rarest injuries resulting from dog bites, but they are possible. Broken bones may be more likely to happen with larger, more powerful dogs or in a prolonged attack. It also depends on the age of the victim (children and the elderly are more vulnerable) and the location on the victim’s body, with the small bones in the hands, feet, and face being more fragile. Fractures may also occur not directly from a dog bite but from impacts against the ground or hard objects while falling or thrashing on the ground during the attack. One must seek medical attention as soon as possible to diagnose and properly treat broken bones. This may include X-rays, bone setting, casts, splints, braces, and, in more severe cases, surgery.

Nerve Damage

A dog bite can cause nerve damage, depending on the size and power of the dog, the injury site on the victim’s body, and the duration of the attack. Different kinds of nerve injuries include severed nerves, pinched nerves, compressed nerves, or infection-induced nerve damage. Symptoms of these injuries may include pain, numbness, burning sensation, tingling, muscle weakness, loss of mobility, or paralysis, which can lead to loss of sensation or paralysis. Treatment varies and may include rest, medication, physical therapy, or surgery.

Permanent Scarring/Disfigurement

Depending on the severity of the wound, body location, medical treatment, infection, age of the victim, and individual differences in healing and scar formation, dog bites may result in long-term or permanent disfigurement and scarring. Scarring can be mitigated by proper immediate medical treatment, including irrigating the wound to remove particles or pathogens, topical antiseptics, antibiotic medication, wound dressings, and scar-prevention ointment. In more severe cases of long-term scarring and disfigurement, dermatologists may recommend dermabrasion, laser treatments, or keloid/scar removal surgery.

Infections such as Rabies or Tetanus

Dog mouths and saliva contain numerous pathogens, and their bites can lead to serious infections at the site of the injury or ones that spread throughout the body. Among the most common causes of infection are cellulitis, or the bacteria Pasteurella or Staphylococcus (Staph). These infections may be treated with topical, ingested, and/or IV antibiotics. 

Less common but quite serious are rabies and tetanus. If the victim has not had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, a new vaccination should be administered. Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system and is fatal once symptoms are present. If the dog is suspected of having rabies or cannot be located, a rabies vaccine is strongly advised and extremely effective at preventing the progression of the disease.

Emotional Trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The injuries resulting from a dog bite attack can be more than just physical–they can also be psychological, sometimes resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If dog bite victims do not receive prompt and proper care from professionals, it can lead to life-long psychological and physical symptoms that may adversely affect them for the rest of their lives. Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts and memories, hypervigilance, and avoiding people, places, or activities associated with the attack. Changes in cognition or emotion may also be present.

Children are particularly vulnerable to PTSD after being attacked by a dog, as they are more likely to receive severe injuries than adults. It is estimated that about half of children who are bitten by a dog will develop PTSD. Treatment for PTSD related to a dog bite injury may involve trauma-focused therapy and medication.

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Our Arizona dog bite lawyers help ensure that all current and future medical expenses are included in your claim. 

Speak to an Arizona dog bite lawyer by calling (480) 637-5757.