Dogs are beloved. When they’re raised well, they are delightful to be around. However, if you’re not familiar with a dog, its behavior will be unpredictable. Dogs may be beloved, but it’s not always easy to predict when a dog might lash out and attack someone. Dealing with a dog attack can be terrifying. Generally, dogs have sharp teeth and strong jaws. A dog bite can break the skin and even injure the bone.
You may be aware of how painful a dog bite can be, but people often underestimate the potential extent of dog attack injuries. It may be beneficial to consult an experienced dog bite lawyer to evaluate the value of your injuries and help you receive compensation for your suffering.
Dog Attacks Can Lead To Permanent Disfigurement
Dogs that can latch onto their victim’s faces are likely to cause disfigurement. Disfigurement is a medical condition in which one’s appearance is deeply harmed. Victims of disfigurement typically suffer from a permanent change in their appearance due to significant damage and scarring.
After a dog attack, scarring may be intensive and permanently alter your appearance and limit bodily functions. Facial disfigurement, in particular, can be life-altering and cause significant physical and psychological damage. In some circumstances, the damage is so severe that the victim may require cosmetic surgery.
Dog Attacks Can Make You Permanently Disabled
Injuries from a dog attack can be so severe that they lead to the victim having permanent disabilities. When dogs attack, they typically latch on to people’s extremities, including their hands, arms, feet, and legs. If a dog bite wound is deep enough, it might injure muscles, tendons, or nerves, resulting in loss of function in these body parts. These kinds of injuries might leave a person with a temporary or permanent impairment that makes it difficult for them to return to work.
Some attacks are so severe that doctors must amputate victims’ appendages. Amputations are more likely to occur in children because of their smaller size, making them more vulnerable. Amputations can be physically and psychologically traumatic. To compensate for a missing arm or leg, amputees may need to relearn regular duties.
Dog Attacks Can Leave You with Permanent Mental Health Issues
Psychological damage is bound to occur following a dog attack. The violent nature of the incident and the resulting injuries are bound to leave victims with some trauma. Many dog attack victims develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and find it stressful to be around dogs afterward. Injuries that result in disfigurement and disability can make people’s lives much more difficult, taking a relentless emotional toll on them.
Even with assistance from mental health professionals, psychological problems often persist for the rest of a person’s life. Even though proving emotional damages can be complex, a skilled lawyer may be able to help you receive compensation for emotional injuries sustained as a result of a dog attack.
Hire an Experienced Utah Dog Bite Lawyer to Fight for Fair Compensation
Dogs aren’t always docile creatures, and people are rarely ever prepared to handle a dog attack. Dog attacks are seriously violent incidents that leave victims with horrible physical and mental issues. The owner is responsible for raising their dog properly and controlling its behavior, so they must be held accountable for any damage it causes. If you are a dog attack victim, you may be entitled to recover damages for your suffering.
With the help of an experienced lawyer from Feller & Wendt, LLC™, you can pursue damages from the owner of the dog that attacked you. Our firm has successfully handled numerous dog bite cases, so we are well-equipped to provide you with quality legal representation. If you’re seeking help for a dog bite injury in Utah, get in touch with us by calling 801.499.5060 or using our contact form to schedule a free consultation.