Facial Dog Bites

 Posted on July 11, 2016 in Dog Bites

Dog bites can range anywhere between virtually harmless to life-altering. Facial dog bites have the potential to be more traumatic than other areas on the body. Not only are the wounds more visible than other areas of the body, there is also the possibility of a longer recovery time and even permanent damage. If you have been the victim of a dog bite attack that resulted in facial wounds, it is imperative that you follow key steps to increase the likelihood of recovering the full damages at trial or through a settlment.

Why Are Facial Dog Bites More Traumatic?

When a dog does choose to bite a human, nearly three times out of four they will bite an extremity. Statistics have shown that approximately 71% of dog bites result in injuries to the arms, legs, hands or feet of a human. This may be true for any number of reasons, not the least of which is that our survival instinct is to reach out to protect ourselves from danger, thereby giving the animal something else to grab besides our face or neck. However, if you consider the features of an arm versus all of the features of a face, you will be able to recognize several delicate areas that are essential to daily activities. Consider for a moment the following senses that would all be affected should a sensory organ become damaged:

• Sight through the use of our eyes;
• Hearing through the use of our ears;
• Taste through the use of our mouth and tongue; and
• Scent through the use of our nose.  

Even the sense of touch may be lost if tissue and muscle become damaged. The loss of the ability to feel if there was food on your face and the temperature of the water from the shower certainly has the ability to cause further grief and trauma. There is also the issue of scarring and disfigurement, which can lead to additional emotional pain and suffering as well.

How to Increase Your Odds of Recovering Damages

Photographic evidence is key. Many people now have cameras even on their cellular devices. If you do not, a disposable camera can be easily obtained. The cost of doing so is minor compared to the potential medical costs that may be incurred. Take pictures of everything, including, but not limited to:

• Wounds sustained during the attack;
• Involved canine(s);
• Location and surroundings of where the attack happened;
• Periodic updates of wounds (daily, weekly, monthly); and
• Evidence of medical procedures and recovery processes.

It would also be in your best interest to create assemble the best team possible to work on your behalf. If you require medical attention, obtain a medical professional that you trust or is highly recommended. If the wounds are not treated appropriately, you may face additional complications. You will also benefit from the assistance of proven and effective legal counsel. Having an aggressive attorney on your side that specializes in dog bites can potentially make the difference between winning and losing your case. If you are interested in discussing your situation with an experienced San Jose personal injury lawyer, contact John J. Garvey, III today at 408-293-7777 for your free initial consultation.

Sources:

http://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/municipal/dog-bites-attacks-research-review

http://www.caninejournal.com/dog-bite-statistics/

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047723.htm