7 Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

 Posted on October 05, 2022 in Personal Injury

There are millions of dogs in the United States, and even though most are friendly family pets, some are aggressive and dangerous. Even in situations where dogs have always exhibited calm, non-aggressive behavior, they may act suddenly or unexpectedly and bite or attack someone. While some dog bites are relatively mild, others can be severe, resulting in serious injuries, permanent disability or disfigurement, or even death. In cases where a person has been bitten or attacked by a dog, a personal injury attorney can review the situation and determine the best options for pursuing financial compensation.

Common Injuries from Dog Bites and Attacks

A dog's jaws can be very strong, and their teeth are often very sharp. Dog bites can injure a person in a variety of ways, and depending on the size of the dog and the aggressiveness of the attack, a victim can suffer multiple forms of bodily harm. Some potential injuries in these situations include:

• Puncture wounds - These injuries are caused by a dog's sharp teeth piercing through the skin. Underlying tissues may experience significant damage, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. 

• Lacerations - Deep cuts may be caused by a dog shaking its head violently after biting someone. Lacerations often require stitches or even skin grafts to heal properly. They may also result in significant scarring.

• Abrasions - Also called scrapes, these injuries occur when the skin is rubbed or scraped off by a dog’s teeth or claws. If an abrasion is more than a quarter inch deep, if it is on the face, or if it results in excessive bleeding, victims may need emergency medical attention, and they may experience scarring. 

• Avulsion injuries - These occur when a dog bites down hard on a person's skin, causing the skin to tear away from the underlying tissue. These types of injuries are particularly common on the hands, where bones and tendons are close to the surface. Avulsion injuries often require surgery to repair damaged nerves, tendons, and bones. 

• Fractures - A powerful dog bite can easily cause broken bones, particularly in small children or older adults whose bones are more fragile. A broken bone may require surgery to set correctly, and these injuries may result in permanent paralysis if nerves are severed. 

• Infections - Because dog bites introduce bacteria into the body, they have a high risk of causing dangerous infections. Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, pain, pus or other drainage from the wound site, fever, and increased thirst or appetite. Victims who experience these symptoms may need to receive emergency treatment to ensure that they can avoid more serious complications. 

• Emotional injuries - Many dog bite victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression as a result of their attack. While these emotional injuries are not always apparent immediately after an attack, they can be just as debilitating as physical injuries. 

Contact Our Elk Grove Village Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog bite, you know how painful and debilitating such an injury can be. You may be struggling with both physical and emotional scarring, especially if the bite resulted in injuries to the face or neck. It is important to know that you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Kaiser Law, our DuPage County dog bite injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact our office today at 630-274-4400 to set up your free consultation.

Sources:

https://injepijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40621-020-00281-y

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bite-wounds-in-dogs

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1804160/