Dog Attack Injuries 101: What to Expect and How to Recover

Getting attacked by a dog is one of those freak events you never think will happen to you. Whether it was a typically friendly neighborhood pet or a stray that struck without warning, the aftermath is traumatic and confusing.

Suddenly, you’re facing potential disfigurement, disabilities, medical bills piling up, and long-term psychological impacts. What started as simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time has turned your world upside down.

As experienced personal injury attorneys exclusively focused on dog bite injuries, we’ve seen it time and time again. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know after suffering dog attack injuries. Having the right information and professional support makes all the difference on the long road ahead.

Most Common Types of Injuries from Dog Attacks

When a dog attacks, its sharp teeth and powerful jaws can inflict several physical injuries.

Below are the most common types of injuries that our dog bite attorneys handle every year.

1. Puncture Wounds and Lacerations

A dog’s teeth easily puncture the skin and cause deep lacerations in victims.

These wounds are particularly dangerous because they introduce harmful bacteria from the dog’s mouth into the victim’s body, leading to severe infections.

Puncture wounds and lacerations also cause severe damage to underlying tissues, nerves, and muscles, requiring extensive medical treatment and potentially leaving permanent scars.

Sometimes, puncture wounds may not appear severe on the surface but cause significant damage to deeper layers of tissue later. So, dog bite victims must seek medical attention promptly, even when their injuries seem minor.

2. Crush Injuries and Fractures

Larger dogs, such as pit bulls or Rottweilers, can cause crush injuries or fractures, especially in child victims or the elderly. Dog force breaks bones or causes significant tissue damage, requiring emergency medical attention and involves lengthy recovery periods or even surgery.

Crush injuries are particularly devastating when they involve the head, neck, or chest. In these cases, victims may suffer from brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or damage to vital organs. Prompt medical intervention minimizes the long-term consequences of these injuries.

3. Injuries to Sensitive Areas

Dog attacks are particularly devastating when they involve sensitive areas of the body, such as the face, neck, and abdomen. Injuries to the eyes, ears, and throat lead to permanent disfigurement or disability, and abdomen bites provoke internal organ damage and life-threatening complications.

Facial injuries are among the most common types of injuries suffered in dog attacks, particularly among children. These injuries can cause significant scarring and often require multiple reconstructive surgeries to repair.

In some cases, victims may experience permanent changes in their appearance or difficulties with everyday functions such as eating, speaking, or breathing.

4. Psychological and Emotional Trauma

In addition to physical injuries, dog attacks may cause significant psychological and emotional trauma. Children, in particular, are susceptible to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a dog attack.

Symptoms may include:

• Flashbacks or nightmares about the attack.
• Avoidance of dogs or places associated with the attack.
• Heightened anxiety or fearfulness.
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

Dog attack victims may also experience a range of other emotional challenges, such as:

• Depression.
• Anger or irritability.
• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Difficulty trusting others, especially dog owners.

Seek professional help to cope with the emotional aftermath of an animal attack incident when PTSD symptoms arise.

Mental health professionals can offer therapy and support services to help victims work through their trauma and regain a sense of safety and security.

5. Infection and Disease

Finally, dog bites sometimes provoke serious infections and diseases if not treated promptly. Cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, is a common complication of dog bites. If left untreated, cellulitis can spread to deeper layers of tissue and even enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ failure.

In rare cases, dog bites may transmit rabies, a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Rabies is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear, so dog bite victims must seek medical attention immediately, especially if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown.

Other potential infections that can result from dog bites include:

• Pasteurella multocida: A bacterial infection that can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.
• Capnocytophaga: A type of bacteria that can cause severe infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
• Tetanus: A grave bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness, difficulty swallowing, and seizures.

Long-Term Consequences of Dog Attack Injuries

While the initial trauma of a dog attack is terrifying, the long-term impacts can be truly devastating and life-altering. Victims often face:

• Permanent disfiguring scars and disabilities from severed tendons, crushed bones, mangled limbs, and nerve damage limiting mobility
• The need for reconstructive surgeries and physical therapy with no guarantee of full recovery
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, nightmares, fear, and diminished quality of life, requiring costly, long-term mental health treatment
• A financial wrecking ball of mounting medical bills, lost wages, potential job loss, and the risk of financial ruin
• Years or a lifetime of mental anguish reliving the experience of being attacked

Dog attacks aren’t isolated events that heal quickly. For those who’ve experienced them, the brutal truth is they inflict multi-faceted, lasting consequences that can devastate nearly every aspect of your life for months, years, or even permanently. The gravity of these injuries should never be downplayed.

How to Prevent Dog Attacks

While it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of dog attacks entirely, there are steps that both dog owners and the general public can take to reduce the likelihood of an incident:

• Properly train and socialize dogs from a young age.
• Always supervise interactions between dogs and children.
• Respect a dog’s personal space and avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs.
• Obey leash laws and keep dogs under control in public spaces.
• Teach children how to interact with dogs and recognize signs of aggression safely.
• Spay or neuter dogs to reduce aggressive tendencies.
• Ensure dogs receive regular veterinary care and are up-to-date on vaccinations.

We can work towards creating safer communities for everyone by promoting responsible dog ownership and educating the public about dog behavior.

What to Do If a Dog Attacks You in California

As mentioned above, you must take immediate action to mitigate your injuries after a dog attack.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Even when your injuries seem minor, have a medical professional evaluate them. Some harm, such as puncture wounds or crush injuries, may be more severe than they appear.

2. Report the Attack

Contact your local animal control agency or police department to report the attack. This step is necessary to protect others from future attacks and ensure authorities quarantine the dog.

3. Gather Evidence

If possible, take photos of your injuries and the attack scene. Also, collect contact information from witnesses who may have seen the incident.

4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Dog attack cases are complex, and working on a personal injury claim on your own can be frustrating. An experienced personal injury attorney helps you understand your rights and options for seeking a fair settlement.

California Dog Bite Laws and Your Rights

California has strict liability dog bite laws that hold dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of whether the animal has a history of aggression or the owner was negligent.

The courts will make owners liable for damages if:

1. The victim was bitten by the dog, and,
   the victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place when the bite occurred.
2. These conditions mean that even if a dog has never bitten anyone before, the law will still hold the owner liable for injuries the dog caused.

California dog attack victims may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring or disfigurement

Work with an experienced personal injury attorney to get the full and fair settlement you deserve after a dog attack.

Don’t Suffer in Silence After Sustaining Dog Attack Injuries

No one should endure the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a dog attack alone.

LA Dog Bite Law in Southern California has compassionate and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys with extensive experience handling dog attack cases who can help you.

Our personal injury law firm fights to hold negligent dog owners accountable to the state’s strict liability laws.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your legal options.