Not every dog bite results in permanent scarring, but certain factors significantly increase the likelihood that a wound will leave lasting marks. Understanding what leads to serious scarring helps establish the full extent of the long-term consequences you’re entitled to recover compensation for.

Common causes and contributing factors include:

• Deep puncture wounds or tearing injuries that damage multiple layers of skin and tissue
• Bites to the face, where skin is thinner and more delicate
• Attacks involving large or powerful breeds capable of inflicting severe wounds
• Delayed medical treatment that increases the risk of infection and poor wound healing
• Wounds requiring surgical closure, which often leave more pronounced scars than minor injuries
• Multiple bites or a prolonged attack that causes extensive tissue damage
• Pre-existing skin conditions that affect how wounds heal

Colorado’s strict liability laws hold dog owners responsible for serious injuries their dog causes, regardless of the animal’s prior history. When those injuries result in permanent scarring or disfigurement, the owner’s liability extends to all damages associated with that scarring, including future reconstructive procedures and psychological treatment.

Depending on the circumstances of the attack, additional parties may also bear responsibility:

• The dog’s owner is the primary liable party in most dog bite scarring cases under Colorado’s strict liability laws
• A property owner or landlord may be liable if the attack occurred on their premises, they had knowledge of the dog’s presence or dangerous tendencies, and they failed to take the steps necessary to ensure safe conditions for other guests on their property
• A dog sitter or dog walker may be liable if they had custody of the dog at the time of the attack and failed to properly control the animal

Scarring and disfigurement claims are among the most complex dog bite cases to value accurately because the true cost of these injuries often extends far beyond the initial medical bills. Identifying all of the potential sources of compensation for these injuries requires an attorney who understands the full scope of damages these injuries carry.

Current Medical Expenses

Your immediate medical costs include emergency treatment, wound care, hospitalization and any surgical procedures performed in the immediate aftermath of the attack. These are the most straightforward damages to document and form the foundation of your claim.

Future Medical Expenses

Scarring rarely requires just one round of treatment. Reconstructive surgeries, scar revision procedures, skin grafts and laser treatments may be necessary over months or years following the initial injury. Accurately projecting these future costs requires input from medical specialists and is one of the most important components of a dog bite scarring claim.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

If your scarring has prevented you from working during your recovery, affected your ability to perform your job or impacted your ability to advance in your career, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and diminished earning potential.

Pain and Suffering

Damages for physical pain associated with scarring, including chronic discomfort from keloid or hypertrophic scars and nerve damage, can often be recovered in cases where negligence contributed to the attack.

Emotional Distress and Psychological Treatment

The psychological impact of permanent disfigurement is well-documented and can be as debilitating as the physical injuries themselves. Compensation for emotional distress, PTSD and the cost of ongoing psychological counseling should be part of every dog bite scarring claim where negligence applies.

Permanent Disfigurement

Colorado courts recognize permanent disfigurement as a distinct category of non-economic damages. The visibility of your scarring, its location on your body and its impact on your daily life are all factors that affect how these damages are valued.

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims is two years from the date of the attack. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this timeframe, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for your damages, regardless of the severity of your scarring or the strength of your case.

For child dog bite victims, the two-year clock does not begin until the child turns 18, giving them until their 20th birthday to file a claim.

Waiting to pursue your claim creates real risks. Evidence becomes harder to gather over time, witnesses become more difficult to locate and medical documentation becomes harder to connect directly to the attack. Consulting with Mr. Pushchak as soon as possible after your injury gives him the best opportunity to preserve evidence, build a strong case and ensure all deadlines are met.

Yes. The fact that a wound has closed does not diminish the value of a scarring claim. Permanent scarring and disfigurement are recognized damages under Colorado law regardless of whether the underlying wound required ongoing treatment. The visibility of the scar, its location, the medical procedures required to treat it, and its impact on your daily life and emotional wellbeing all factor into the value of your claim.

Several factors influence the value of a scarring claim, including the severity and visibility of the scarring, its location on the body, the number and cost of medical procedures required, the projected cost of future treatment, the psychological impact of the disfigurement, and its effect on your ability to work and engage in daily activities. Because many of these factors involve long-term consequences that aren’t fully apparent immediately after the attack, accurately valuing a scarring claim requires experienced legal and medical expertise.

Yes. The need for multiple surgical procedures directly supports the severity of your injuries and increases the documented medical expenses associated with your claim. It also provides concrete evidence of the long-term medical impact of your scarring, which is often a point of dispute with insurance companies. Mr. Pushchak can work with your treating physicians and independent medical experts to fully document your surgical history and projected future treatment needs.

The timeline depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, whether your scarring requires ongoing treatment, and whether your case settles or proceeds to trial. Cases involving serious scarring often take longer to resolve than typical dog bite claims because it’s important to allow enough time for the full extent of the injuries and future medical needs to be established before agreeing to a settlement. Mr. Pushchak will give you a realistic assessment of your timeline during your free consultation.

This is one of the most common tactics insurance companies use to minimize dog bite scarring claims. Dismissing permanent scarring as purely cosmetic ignores the psychological impact of disfigurement, the functional limitations scarring can cause and the long-term medical costs associated with treatment. Mr. Pushchak knows how to counter this argument using medical expert testimony and documentation that reflects the true physical, emotional and financial impact of your injuries.