It is a common misconception that dog bites only result in minor injuries. As a woman found out recently, that is not always the case. On March 15, a woman was attacked by a dog in Bucks County and had to be hospitalized for her injuries. While the report did not specify what injuries the woman sustained, many dog bite victims sustain very serious injuries and the most common of these are found below.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds are the most common injury that results from a dog bite. These wounds are created when a dog’s teeth breaks the victim’s skin. Dog’s teeth are often long, which means the puncture wounds are also long and sometimes go deep within a person’s skin. A dog’s mouth is also full of bacteria and when that bacteria enters a puncture wound, it can cause an infection. Puncture wounds do not always bleed but even when that is the case, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately so a doctor can provide treatment and prevent infection.
Facial Scarring
Dog bites can cause a person to suffer from permanent scarring, and some individuals are at higher risk of this than others. Children, for example, are often physically closer to dogs than adults, making it very easy for a dog to attack a child’s face. This particular injury is not only extremely painful, but it can also result in a lifetime of embarrassment for the accident victim. Scarring is also a very costly injury, as sometimes reconstructive surgery is necessary to correct the damage.
Nerve Damage
Dogs often bite very hard, particularly when they feel as though there is a perceived threat nearby. This can result in the teeth going very deep into the flesh and causing damage to the nerves. Nerve damage is also very painful and can even result in loss of mobility long after the other injuries from a dog bite have healed.
Broken Bones
It is not uncommon for dogs to push people to the ground during an attack. This can result in broken bones, or a person’s bones may break when a dog’s strong jaw clamps around part of the body, such as an arm or leg.
Emotional Injuries
Not all injuries resulting from a dog bite are physical. A person may experience emotional injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, after a dog bite or attack. Emotional injuries can result in a person experiencing nightmares, a fear of going outside, or they may develop a fear of dogs, even when they loved them prior to the attack.
Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Pennsylvania Can Help You Claim Damages
Clearly, dog bites can result in a number of different injuries. If you have been hurt, our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys are here to help. At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, our skilled attorneys will identify all of the different injuries you have sustained and will fight to help you recover the damages you deserve. Call us today at (215) 486-0123 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Resource:
patch.com/pennsylvania/doylestown/plumstead-police-log-dog-bite-sends-woman-hospital