Denton Dog Bite Injury Attorneys: Facial Reconstruction After a Dog Bite

Experienced Attorneys Serving Dog Bite Survivors in Denton and Throughout North Texas

Approximately 310,000 people need surgery to treat dog bite injuries each year. These surgeries repair the damage done by dog bites and reconstruct essential tissues. Many such surgeries are done to repair damage to an injured person’s face. 

Facial reconstruction after a dog bite can be a painful, nerve-wracking process. Often, an injured person experiences permanent scarring and other issues even after facial reconstruction. 

If you need facial reconstruction surgery after a dog bite, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Denton dog bite lawyer about your legal rights. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help. 

Dog Bite Injuries to the Face

Dog bite injuries to the face are common. Over two-thirds of dog bite injuries in one hospital involved damage to the head, neck, and scalp. These injuries are especially likely in children, whose shorter stature puts their faces closer to an oncoming dog. 

Injuries to the lips occur in about one-quarter of dog bite facial injury cases, while cheek injuries account for just under one-quarter of all damage. Many patients experience damage in multiple areas of the face, head, neck, and scalp. 

Treatments for Dog Bite Facial Injuries

Treatment for dog bite facial injuries varies, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Cleaning the wound to prevent infection and closing tears or lacerations in the skin are primary concerns.

Surgery

Dog bite facial reconstruction involves using various surgical techniques to repair damage and close a wound after a dog bite. The techniques used often depend on the severity of the injury. For example, one study found that cheek and lip damage could often be stitched together directly (“primary closure”), while damage to the scalp and nose required skin grafts or other techniques to address.

Currently, medical researchers disagree on the value of immediately performing reconstructive surgery versus prolonging access to the wound for infection management. One study found no difference in infection rates between patients who got facial reconstruction right away versus those who waited; however, scarring outcomes were better for patients who got surgery promptly.

Infection Management

A dog’s saliva carries several types of bacteria. These bacteria can cause dangerous or fatal infections when introduced to the human body. The bacteria are more likely to cause harm when they are injected deep into the body’s tissues, which can occur when a dog’s teeth puncture the skin. 

Consequently, infection management is a primary concern for medical teams treating dog bite facial injuries. In one study, 12 percent of children who needed facial reconstruction after a dog bite also received a rabies vaccination. Antibiotics are often prescribed for facial reconstruction patients, and sterile procedures for treating the wound are essential. 

Long-Term Consequences of Facial Reconstruction After a Dog Bite

Immediately after a dog bite injury, surgery and infection management are a medical team’s foremost thoughts. Even after the injury has healed, however, scarring, pain, nerve damage, issues with sensory organs, and movement challenges can persist. Mental and emotional trauma are common as well. 

Scarring and Disfigurement

In one study, 91 percent of patients who said they had issues over a year after surgery cited their scars as a problem. Of these, nearly one in three (31 percent) said their scars caused disabilities.

Scarring and disfigurement are common problems after a dog bite. The delicate tissues of the face may be more likely to scar. 

A dog’s teeth are designed to rip and tear meat. In the wild, this feature allows dogs to kill and eat prey to survive. Yet these teeth can also do serious damage to the human face – damage that can be difficult to fix without scarring, even for a highly qualified surgeon. Scarring, disfigurement, and related mental and emotional anguish can result.

Pain and Nerve Damage

Dog bite injury sites can experience ongoing pain and issues with nerve sensation. Nerve injuries occur in about six percent of all dog bite facial injuries suffered by children, according to one study. However, children can be at a particularly high risk for ongoing problems, as their small size introduces additional challenges in repairing nerve damage.

Nerve damage can cause pain, loss of feeling, difficulty controlling certain muscles of the face, and other problems. These issues can linger long after the wound and surgery have healed.

Impaired or Lost Senses

A dog bite to the face can damage the eyes, nose, ears, or mouth. In some cases, an injured person can experience problems with sight, hearing, smell, or taste as a result. 

One study found that while facial fractures due to a dog bite are rare, 69 percent of such fractures involve a broken nose. Damage to the tear ducts and to nerves controlling eye movements and smell also occurred. This damage can have lifelong consequences.

Movement Issues

Nerve damage in the face can easily result in impaired movement. The seventh cranial nerve or “facial nerve” controls the actions of nerve endings throughout the face. These nerve endings control our facial expressions, operate tiny movements and sensations in the sensory organs, and more. Loss of any of these nerve endings can cause permanent problems with movement. 

Broken bones can accompany facial damage in dog bite injuries. In one study, over ten percent of children who needed facial reconstruction surgery also had at least one broken bone from the attack. Broken bones can also cause ongoing problems with pain and mobility, especially if the break is severe and requires surgery to correct.

Mental and Emotional Trauma

Many studies of dog bite facial reconstruction cite “psychological trauma” as a significant factor in these injuries. Damage to the face can be terrifying. Surgery and treatment can be worrisome. Traumatic flashbacks to the accident, new fears, and unpleasant memories can linger for months or years after the event occurs. 

Mental and emotional trauma can impair a person’s ability to work, study, enjoy hobbies, or carry out other once-meaningful life activities. Though the physical injury may heal, the mental and emotional injuries may persist.

Texas Dog Bite Lawsuit Basics

Like other states, Texas allows an injured person to hold a dog’s owner liable for injuries following a dog bite. Texas has its own set of laws, court precedents, and legal rules governing these cases.

While the same basic rules apply in all cases, the facts of each case are unique. No two dog bite cases end the same way, because no two cases have identical facts. While it’s valuable to ask friends and family for attorney recommendations or moral support, speak to an experienced lawyer to understand how the law affects your specific situation. 

When Can I Hold a Dog’s Owner Responsible for a Bite?

Texas follows a version of the “one bite” rule. This rule states that a dog’s owner is liable for injuries the dog causes if the owner knows (or should know) the dog is dangerous. For instance, if the owner knows the dog has a history of biting people, the owner can be held liable when the dog bites someone again. 

Texas also allows an injured person to seek compensation if the owner’s negligence caused the dog bite. For instance, if the owner fails to keep the dog fenced in or on a leash, and the dog bites someone as a result, the injured person may be able to sue for damages. This rule applies even if the owner had no reason to suspect the dog would bite. 

After facial reconstruction, it’s wise to work with an experienced lawyer. Your attorney can handle your case while you focus on healing.

How Long Do I Have to File a Denton Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Texas’s statute of limitations gives an injured person two years to file a lawsuit. The two-year period typically begins on the date of the injury. Some exceptions, such as a more extended period for injured children, may apply. 

Talk to an attorney about the time limit in your case. Your lawyer can ensure all required paperwork is filed before the deadline expires.

What Compensation is Available in a Denton Dog Bite Case?

After a facial reconstruction for a dog bite injury, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. You can also seek compensation for future medical bills, if the damage requires ongoing medical care. 

Often, the types and amounts of compensation you can recover depend on the facts of your case. A knowledgeable attorney can help you calculate a full, fair amount. 

Speak to a Dedicated Denton Dog Bite Facial Injury Attorney Today

Dog bite injuries are frequently frightening and painful – especially when they require facial reconstruction to repair the damage. Lifelong problems with scarring, pain, facial movement, and sensory organs can result.

If you needed facial reconstruction surgery after a dog bite, talk to an experienced attorney today. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help you identify your legal rights and pursue the compensation you need. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Denton dog bite facial injury lawyer.