Dog Bite Wounds and Lacerations
When a dog bites, they can cause many injuries. However, dog bite-related injuries are not just simple abrasions: about 65% of dog bites are lacerations and puncture wounds. Often, facial lacerations and puncture wounds can lead to larger consequences. The Center for Disease Control reported 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery after being viciously bitten by a dog in 2006 with an average hospital stay of 1 to 16 days depending on the severity of the injury.
Facial Lacerations
- Ear Lacerations – wounds are irregular, with cartilage exposed by loss of skin.
- Eyelid Lacerations – often require immediate care to prevent notching.
- Lip Lacerations – this area may be distorted by the swelling and likely would need suturing.
- Through-and through facial lacerations – facial nerves and parotid duct injuries can occur over the five main motor nerves: temple, xygomatic, bucal, mandibular, cervical
Puncture Wounds
Since dogs tend to lock down with their jaw and pull or tear the skin, they tend to pierce through the skin and create deep puncture wounds that are not typically on the surface. However, puncture wounds do not usually cause bleeding; they can be very painful and dangerous. Puncture wounds are prone to bacterial infection and can carry the risk of rabies-related diseases.
Other Dog Bite Injuries
- 45.3 arm and hands
- 22.8% head and neck
- 25.8% leg and foot
- 64.9% of injuries to children on the head and neck while 86.2 % in adults were to the extremities.
Dog owners are legally responsible for the actions of their dogs. If someone else’s dog has injured you or someone you love, the owner is liable for your damages, including medical bills like reconstructive surgery, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering due to the disfiguration caused by the dog bite-related injury. If a dog in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County has bitten you, you should contact an experienced Arizona dog bite attorney to represent you.
Typical Costs of Reconstructive Surgery:
Ear surgery – $2914
Eyelid surgery – $2666
Facial surgeries- $3032 – $5968
According to the American Medical Journal Association department, charges for dog-bite victims were estimated at $102.4 million, and direct medical care charges incurred as a result of dog bites were estimated at $164.9 million in 1994.
Contact an Arizona Dog Bite Attorney
If any dog related injuries in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County have occurred, fatal or not, the owner should be held responsible and an Arizona dog bite injury lawyer can help. Even with prevention, dog bites and attacks occur. If you are unable to prevent a dog-bite related injury and as a result, you or a loved one have been the victim of an attack, our Arizona dog-bite injury lawyer can help get the compensation you deserve. For more information see www.azdogbitefirm.com.
