Dallas Center Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Will a Settlement Cover Plastic Surgery After a Dog Bite?

It is possible for a settlement to cover dog bite treatment costs such as plastic surgery. To recover these costs, it must be proven that the surgery is connected to the dog bite injuries and is necessary to repair the damage. It is also important to consider future medical costs in addition to those already incurred, which is why Dallas Center victims should seek legal counsel to make sure every form of compensation available in a claim is properly addressed.

Seeking Damages for Plastic Surgery

Puncture wounds, lacerations, and tears from a dog bite can cause significant scarring and other disfigurement. One way to reduce the appearance of these injuries is through plastic surgery, and in some cases it may take several procedures to achieve the best possible results. Plastic surgery is typically required when injuries occur on the neck, face, and scalp, since these are highly visible areas of the body. Stitches may be enough to close some wounds, but severe injuries may require reconstructive surgery, such as skin grafting.

Plastic surgery can become especially complicated when the damage is significant, such as when a nose needs to be reconstructed. In any event, damages may be available in a dog bite settlement to address these plastic surgery costs, and the emotional impact of a serious dog bite injury may also be taken into account. Unfortunately, even after plastic surgery, there may still be visible signs of scarring. While additional surgeries can sometimes help, there are many situations where no further aesthetic improvement can be achieved, and this type of permanent disfigurement can lead to or worsen emotional trauma.

What Compensation Is Typically Available?

Generally, all medical costs stemming from a dog bite are addressed in a claim. This can include the initial treatment, such as care received in an emergency room, surgery, hospitalization, and medication. If a victim is expected to need additional treatment later, such as plastic surgery, this needs to be taken into consideration before the claim is settled. The time spent healing from plastic surgery or from the dog bite itself can also affect a person's ability to work, so future lost wages are an important consideration as well. Because of the psychological impact a serious dog bite can have, damages may also be available for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and disability.

Should You Report a Dallas Center Dog Attack?

Yes, a dog attack should generally be reported, especially if it results in serious injury, the dog was not contained, or the animal appeared sick and remained a continued danger. Consulting an attorney can also help a Dallas Center victim collect evidence and present a claim for damages against the dog's owner.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury

Following a dog bite or attack, the first priority is securing your own safety and the safety of others nearby. Separate yourself from the animal and move to a safe location if necessary. From there, further steps to take include washing the affected area thoroughly with soap and water if available, seeking medical attention from a doctor or emergency room if needed, and calling animal control or the local police department to report the attack.

In addition to reporting the incident to the proper authorities, it is important to collect information about the dog, its owner, the circumstances of the attack, and any eyewitnesses. This information may become important later if you decide to pursue a dog bite injury claim. Under Iowa Code 351.28, the owner of a dog is liable to the injured person for damages caused by the dog.

Why Reporting Matters for Your Claim

A personal injury attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding a dog attack, help establish the owner's liability, and collect the evidence necessary to support a claim. The official report of the dog attack can also be used to help establish the facts of what happened, which can be valuable if the owner or their insurance company later disputes the circumstances of the incident.

Can You Contract a Disease From a Dog Bite in Dallas Center?

Yes, people who are bitten by a dog may contract diseases from the bite, and some of these illnesses can be life-threatening. Rabies is the most well-known risk, but other types of infection can also become serious.

Possible Diseases From a Dog Bite

Rabies attacks the central nervous system and can result in death unless treated immediately. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain, and as the disease progresses, a person can develop inflammation of the brain, seizures, paralysis, and may even fall into a coma. Staph infection is another risk, since staph bacteria are common, and while most people who carry the bacteria never become infected, a dog bite can puncture the skin and allow the bacteria to enter deep into the body, causing infection. Symptoms vary widely, which is why medical attention is so important after any bite, but pain, fever, and severe headache are common.

Pasteurella multocida is another common bacterium that may cause infection after a dog bite, and it can lead to pain and swelling in the affected area as well as joint infections. Tetanus is also a concern, since this infection affects the nervous system and can cause muscle spasms and contractions, such as lockjaw. Anyone who has not had a tetanus booster within roughly the last ten years, including a recent dog bite victim, may be encouraged by their doctor to receive a tetanus shot.

Filing a Claim After a Disease-Related Dog Bite Injury

If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. When someone has been seriously injured after a dog bite, compensation may be available to help cover the resulting damages. A claim filed with the help of a personal injury lawyer against a liable dog owner can address damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.