Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyers Explains Compensation for Scarring as a Result of a Dog Bite: What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Recovery

One of the most traumatic causes of personal injuries is a dog bite or an animal attack. They are also one of the most common. Statistics reveal there are over 4.5 million dog bites in the United States each year, resulting in roughly 800,000 emergency department visits.  According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), more than 50% of all dog bite victims are children and more than 1 in 4 of children who are bitten by a dog will require emergency room treatment. Of child dog bites, 80% involve injuries to the head and neck. While our dog bite lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, know that animal attacks can cause a variety of injuries, almost all dog bites will result in some type of scar. Considering that most bites are on children with soft skin that is prone to scarring, and that 80% of bites are in the head or neck region, these injuries can cause both extensive damage and permanent scars.

Here at Silver & Silver, we know that the damage from a dog bite or animal attack can cause both physical and emotional harm for a victim and their family. This is especially true if the injuries are on the head and neck of a child where the scarring may be visible for many years—or a lifetime. These personal injuries can also result in financial damages, including costly doctor appointments, specialist (plastic surgeon) visits, and expensive surgeries or procedures. This is why fighting to receive the maximum compensation for scarring resulting from a dog bite should be a priority for victims and their families. If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog or attacked by another animal, learn how our experienced dog bite attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, can help you during a FREE consultation with our bodily injury team.

 

Anatomy of a Dog Bite

Although well-known as “man’s best friend,” from an evolutionary standpoint a dog’s mouth is intended to cause maximum damage to whatever it bites. After all, this is how dogs evolved to hunt prior to being domesticated.

As a result, dog bites and animal attacks often result in sheared flesh that is torn, ripped, shredded, and damaged. The brunt of a dog bite is caused to the skin, while underlying muscle, tendons, ligaments, and other structures may suffer other shearing damage. Punctures from large canine teeth may also pierce through skin, muscle, and tendons, also rupturing blood vessels and nerves.

While the trauma can be extensive and affect several layers of flesh, the skin is what is often most damaged. The way the skin repairs itself is through scarring.

 

What is Scarring?

Scarring is the body’s natural healing process that builds up tissue to repair damage to the skin, close gaps, and stabilize a wound. Essentially, a scar is new tissue growth used to “patch” the skin. Scar tissue itself is primarily made from collagen, a protein used to create, grow, and build skin tissue—both normally and after trauma.

No two scars are the same, and scars can come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some may be pale and barely visible, while others may be raised and purple. Some scars may fade with time, while others may swell and grow more visible. Other times scars may result in no pain, while others may cause extreme pain and discomfort.

 

Different Types of Scars After a Dog Bite

There are several different types of scars that could be caused by a dog bite in Pennsylvania. Some of the most common types of scars include the following:

• Keloids – raised scars that are from overgrown scar tissue which are large, swell, and can even affect sensation or movement
• Depressed or Atrophic – sunken scars that look like rounded pits or small indentations in the skin
• Contracture – a scar that tightens and makes the area difficult to move, especially when the damaged area is large
• Raised or Hypertrophic – raised scars that may get smaller over time, but could continue to grow and remain large
• Flat – these types of scars can be discolored, but are often flat to the level of matching skin.

Dog bites and animal attacks can cause any of these scars. Victims who have suffered any type of scar resulting from an attack should call our experienced dog bite lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, for help.

 

How to Maximize Your Recovery for a Scar After a Dog Bite

The value of a scar depends on its size, shape, color, and location. The more severe and extensive the scar, the higher the value will be. Other factors such as the “shock value” also affect the value of the scar, especially if the scar is in a visible area such as the face or neck. Treatment for a scar can also affect its value, where a scar requiring surgery or annual procedures to lessen its appearance will be worth more than scar cases with no treatment.

As a result, some of the ways to maximize your recovery for a dog bite scar case include the following:

• Get medical treatment right away after a dog bite
• Be as detailed as possible with your doctor about how your scar feels and looks, including in cold weather, in the shower/pool, while washing dishes, and playing sports
• Describe pain the best you can, including if it is sharp, dull, achy, persistent, random, after contact, or for no reason at all
• Tell doctors how you emotionally feel about the scar and make sure it is documented, such as embarrassment, anxiety, depression, and other emotional feelings about the scar—whether or not it is visible
• Keep or get contact information of others who observe or notice the scar, including what they think about it or what they said to you about it
• Follow your doctor’s recommendations and get whatever surgery or procedures your medical provider recommends, including light treatment, dermabrasion, light treatment, scar revision surgeries, or any other treatments, and
• Always rely on an experienced dog bite attorney in Philadelphia, PA, for help.

 

Injured in a Dog Bite Case? Learn How to Maximize Your Scar Recovery From Our Injury Law Firm

Recovering compensation for personal injuries is what we have done at Silver & Silver for over 40 years, protecting the rights of victims and their families throughout Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one suffered any type of injuries from a dog bite and have a scar, call our experienced dog bite lawyers in Philadelphia, PA, to learn how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries by calling 610-638-7255 or by sending us a message through our “contact us” box available here.