Denton Dog Bite Injury Attorneys: Dog Bite Scars

Serious Representation for Serious Injuries

Approximately 885,000 people need medical care for dog bite wounds each year. Often, this medical attention includes repairing open wounds caused by a dog’s teeth puncturing or tearing the skin. Many of these wounds result in permanent scarring, even when treated by a highly skilled surgeon. 

Dog bite scars can cause lingering problems with disfigurement, pain, loss of sensation, and even movement limitations at the injury site. In one study, 91 percent of dog bite survivors experienced scarring, and 31 percent reported experiencing disabilities as a result of their scars.

If you suffered dog bite injuries and have scars as a result, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced attorney in Denton about your dog bite injuries today. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help. 

Factors That Increase the Risk of Dog Bite Scars

The first factor that increases the risk of a dog bite scar is the bite itself. Any bite that breaks the skin is likely to cause a scar. Children are also more likely to experience severe scarring between ages 2 through the end of puberty, as the body is growing and changing rapidly during this time.

Other factors that increase both the risk of a scar and the severity of scars are the severity of the wound, the presence of infection, and how the bite is treated by medical teams.

Wound Severity

Dog bites can be difficult to treat because the surface damage may not match the underlying damage. For example, the skin may show only a few small puncture marks from the dog’s teeth. Underneath, however, torn tissue, crushed blood vessels and nerve endings, internal bleeding, and infection may wreak havoc at the site. 

These underlying factors can make it difficult for the body to heal the skin without scarring. Damaged blood vessels, for example, may be unable to carry enough blood to the skin’s surface for optimal healing. Often, the result is worsened scarring.

Dog bites that produce significant surface trauma can also be difficult to repair without a scar. Because a dog’s teeth tear the skin, the edges of an open wound are often uneven. These edges are more difficult to match up than two straight edges, such as those created by a scalpel. Even a skilled surgeon may be unable to match the edges well enough to prevent scarring. 

Infection

Infection can increase the risk of scarring. A dog’s teeth can inject bacteria deep into the tissues. The longer the body must fight an infection, even with antibiotics, the fewer resources the body has to focus on repairing the skin. An increased risk of scarring results.

After a dog bite, medical teams focus on treating infection. An unchecked infection can spread throughout the body, causing serious illness or death. 

Currently, medical researchers disagree on the best way to treat post-dog-bite infections. Some researchers believe it is best to close the dog bite wound as soon as possible, while others prefer to leave the wound open temporarily so antibiotics can more easily reach and kill bacteria. 

One study comparing open and closed dog bite wounds found little difference in infection rates between the two methods. However, the study found that dog bite wounds that were closed right away led to reduced scarring compared to those left open.

How the Bite is Treated by Medical Teams

The treatment required after a dog bite may also affect the severity of dog bite scars. One study of children treated for dog bite injuries found that scarring was more likely if a dog bite was repaired by an emergency department doctor or a primary care physician. Scarring was slightly less likely if a qualified plastic surgeon did the repair in an operating room.

Many dog bite victims cannot choose where their wound is repaired. Medical teams make the decision based on the severity of the injury and its location on the body. Waiting for a plastic surgeon and an operating room to be available can put a patient at unnecessary risk for additional infection, as well as worsen the overall outcome. Many medical professionals choose where to repair an injury based on the severity of the injury, which dictates the patient’s immediate needs.

The Long-Term Impacts of Dog Bite Scars

Dog bite scars carry long-term impacts for many patients. In a study of 485 dog bite patients, 47 percent reported experiencing ongoing issues for more than a year after the bite occurred.

Disfigurement

The scar itself was a major ongoing problem for many patients. Approximately 91 percent of dog bite survivors who have medical issues more than a year later report having issues with scarring. These problems were more likely when the bite occurred on the face or the lower limbs.

Of these 91 percent, nearly one in three (31 percent) report that the problem is more than simply having a scar. They describe their scars as “disabling,” citing problems with pain or sensation and movement. Those with dog bite injuries to the face also reported problems with sensory input, like sight, smell, or taste. Patients also reported mental and emotional anguish from disfigurement. 

Pain and Sensation Problems

Dog bites can cause permanent damage. While the surface injury may heal, tissue loss and nerve damage below the skin can occur. Those experiencing dog bites can suffer ongoing pain, loss of sensation, or other symptoms at the injury site. An infection introduced by a dog bite can also cause damage to the nerves.

Direct nerve injury from a dog bite is relatively rare, according to one study. When it does occur, however, it is usually part of a much larger and more severe injury. These injuries can cause significant scarring along with pain and sensation problems at the site.

Movement Issues

Scar tissue differs from other skin tissues. It is often tougher and moves stiffly. When scar tissue connects two areas that are normally not tethered together, it can impair movement, causing problems with mobility and additional pain. 

Some research shows benefit in treating patients to mobilize scar tissue, free up movement, and reduce pain. However, scar tissue is a natural part of the body’s healing process. It often cannot be fully eliminated, nor can it be replaced with the original tissue. Some problems with movement are likely to persist even with treatment. 

Your Legal Rights After a Dog Attack

Texas law allows an injured person to seek compensation after a dog bite. Since certain rules and time limits apply, it’s important to speak to an experienced attorney about your case. 

Texas Dog Bite Law

Texas follows a modified version of the “one bite” rule for dog bite claims. An injured person can hold a dog’s owner liable for harm if:

• The owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or
• The owner acted negligently in handling the dog (whether or not the owner knew the dog might bite). 

Proving negligence can be challenging. In many dog bite claims, the owner’s defense is that the person bitten caused or contributed to their own injuries, such as by trespassing or by provoking the dog. To fight for compensation, work with an experienced lawyer who can investigate your case and build a strong argument for compensation. 

Time Limits for Filing a Texas Dog Bite Claim

Dog bite claims are a type of personal injury case. Texas courts allow two years to file an injury claim. The two years typically begin to run on the date the injury occurs. Once the two-year window closes, the case cannot be filed in court.

Certain exceptions apply in some cases. For instance, when a child suffers a dog bite injury, the two years begins to run when the child turns 18. However, it’s best to file any dog bite case promptly to preserve evidence and secure necessary compensation.

Compensation for Dog Bite Scars After a Denton Dog Attack

Compensation for dog bites can include both financial and personal losses. Medical bills, lost wages, and future medical bills are commonly included in dog bite claims. Compensation for the physical pain and suffering of dog bite scars, as well as the mental and emotional anguish, may be available as well.

Every case is unique, and so is every compensation amount. Talk to an attorney to understand the compensation available in your case. 

Speak To an Experienced Denton Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

Scarring is a common outcome after a Denton dog bite. For many people, scarring adds insult to injury. Not only must you endure the attack itself or the often traumatic memories of the experience, but you also bear a lasting reminder that your life now is forever different.

You don’t have to fight for compensation alone. If you experienced significant scarring after a dog bite, talk to the team at Chandler Ross. Our dedicated Denton dog bite injury lawyers represent clients throughout North Texas in the fight for compensation. Schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with one of our Denton dog bite scar attorneys today.