Klein & Carney Co., LLC
Klein & Carney Co., LLC

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Dog bites and scarring: What you need to know

On Behalf of | Aug 4, 2022 | Dog Bites |

Disfigurement is one of the most common severe consequences of a dog bite attack against a child. When dogs become violent toward people, sometimes, they cause fatal injuries. Other times, they can break bones and cause massive blood loss for serious infections. Such outcomes are relatively rare.

Even in scenarios where the dog inflicted a single bite, the attack could leave lasting physical scars. Scarring is a particularly serious issue for children, as seemingly minor scars can grow bigger or darker as children continue to grow. Do you have to worry about a bite turning into a permanent, disfiguring injury?

Permanent scars are a consequence

Every year in the United States, approximately 855,000 children suffer dog bites that require emergency medical attention. Of those, roughly 27,000 need plastic surgery procedures. Scenarios involving very large dogs or multiple bite wounds may create increased risk of disfiguring scars for the child involved.

The sad truth is that if children suffer a bite to their face or throat, it can have a lasting impact on the child’s quality of life. As many as 91% of dog bite victims saw lasting visual scars, and 31% of those dog bite survivors consider their scars a form of handicap because of how the scars affect their lives. Visible scars can limit a person’s career opportunities and affect their mental health in addition to any physical symptoms, like pain or limited motion.

Your family may need support to help your child’s recovery

Pediatric plastic surgery is one of the most expensive types of medical care. If your insurance coverage requires a 30% coinsurance, you could have tens of thousands of dollars worth of bills following reconstructive plastic surgery.

An insurance claim or lawsuit against the dog’s owner can potentially help your family cover the expenses involved in treating a dog bite. Understanding the risks caused by a dog bite attack can help you connect with the right support for your family.