Scarring and Disfigurement After a Dog Bite in St. Louis

Dog Bite Scarring and Disfigurement

Some dogs are immensely powerful and inherently dangerous. Serious lacerations and puncture wounds can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement. These types of injuries can cause serious physical and emotional harm. Victims of these types of dog bite injuries would be well-advised to pursue compensation for their losses. An experienced St. Louis dog attack attorney can work with an injured victim to hold the at-fault dog owner liable for the damages.

When dogs attack they tend to bite down hard on whatever body part is nearest to them. Depending upon the breed, the dog may have jaws powerful enough to break the bones beneath the skin they are puncturing. Once they have a good hold, the vicious dogs may begin to shake their heads from side to side. This action will tear the flesh, damaging the skin and tearing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels in the area. When enough skin is damaged or torn, a person will be left with a permanent scar.

Treating Serious Scars and Disfigurement

Dog bite injuries require immediate medical attention. The wounds need to be cleaned and closed up. A doctor will need to determine if your wounds should be closed with stitches to minimize the scaring or if there is too great a risk for an infection to completely close the wound. Some serious dog bite injuries require reconstructive surgery, steroid injections and prescription creams. Unfortunately, a victim’s health care may not cover some of these treatments.

Receiving Compensation in Missouri

Making sure you will not have to pay for your medical treatment can be a complicated process. Your insurance company may consider reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery a cosmetic fix. In such cases, they may refuse to cover the expenses. Victims of these types of serious injuries know that these procedures are not merely cosmetic but are crucial to having a positive self-image. Even if your own health insurance denies you coverage, you may be able to have your medical expenses covered by filing a dog bite liability lawsuit against the owner of the dog that attacked you.

Medical expenses are not the only damages suffered when there are permanent scarring and disfigurement.

• Social consequences: When someone has visible scars or disfigurement they may become reclusive or shy. They may also experience a lifetime of prejudice when applying for work or when meeting new people. Victims whose employment depends upon their appearance may pursue additional compensation for their loss.
• Post-traumatic stress: Anyone who has suffered an attack vicious enough to cause permanent scars may have a lifetime of anxiety around animals.
• Future medical expenses: To reduce the visibility of a scar a victim may need additional surgeries or extended treatments.

The St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law understand the ramifications of a serious Missouri dog attack. We help our clients pursue fair compensation for the injuries they have suffered. If you have suffered severe scarring and disfigurement as a result of a dog attack, please contact our lawyers to find out how we can help you through this difficult time and navigate through a complex legal process.