How Does Scarring and Disfigurement Impact My Dog Bite Settlement?
Dog bite attacks can result in a variety of serious injuries. With proper treatment broken bones and lacerations will typically heal in a short period of time. However, other injuries can have a long-term impact on your life. This is particularly true if you experience scarring and disfigurement. Scars after a dog bite can leave a constant reminder of this traumatic incident and impact your social life, self-esteem and professional performance.
When seeking compensation for your damages in a dog bite lawsuit, scarring and disfigurement will typically be included as part of the noneconomic damages you recover. Noneconomic damages refer to compensation for items that don’t have a concrete monetary value. While you can’t produce a medical bill documenting the cost of this scarring, it will impact your life in many ways and as a result, it should always be factored into the total compensation you receive.
The Psychological Toll of Dog Bite Scars
Dog bite scars can often have a significant psychological impact. Scarring from a dog bite is often irregularly shaped with jagged edges and varying colors, making them more noticeable than other types of scars. In addition, it often takes a year or longer for scars to reach their permanent appearance. During this time, they will serve as a daily reminder of the attack and in situations where the scars remain prominent and visible permanently, they can serve as a reminder for the rest of your life. This can force you to relive this trauma every time you see your scars.
Dog bite scars tend to have the greatest impact on your mental health when they’re located on the face. It’s common for dog bite victims with prominent facial scars to experience depression, anxiety, poor body image and low self-esteem. Children with facial scars after a dog bite are often victims of bullying by their peers. When adults suffer facial scarring from a dog bite, it can often cause them to feel self-conscious about how they appear to romantic partners.
Treatments to Minimize the Appearance of Dog Bite Scars
Prompt treatment after a dog bite attack is critical to minimize the extent of scarring and disfigurement you experience. If a bite wound isn’t treated properly and becomes infected, it may take longer to heal and result in more visible scarring. If your dog bite injuries are located on your face, you may need to have your wounds treated by a plastic surgeon to minimize the appearance of scarring after they fully heal.
In situations where the scarring after a dog bite is severe, you may need to undergo one of the following treatment options to make them less noticeable:
- Laser skin resurfacing or dermabrasion can create a smoother skin surface, making elevated or rough scars less visible
- Injected medications can help reduce the size of keloid or hypertrophic scars
- Scar revision surgery can be performed to reshape the skin around the scar, making it less visible
In addition, there are certain steps you can take while your wounds heal to reduce the appearance of scars:
- Apply a silicone-based scar treatment product
- Avoid exposing the wound to the sun while it’s healing, as the sun’s UV rays can cause scars to become darker
- Use a pressure garment on scars located on your arms or legs to suppress the growth of scar tissue
Factors Impacting Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement in a Dog Bite Case
There are several factors which may impact the value of your compensation for scarring and disfigurement in a dog bite case:
- Age – In general, compensation for scarring is higher when victims are younger. This is due to the fact that dog bite scars can have a greater psychological impact on young people (particularly children). In addition, younger dog bite victims will have to ensure the trauma associated with this scarring for many more years than older victims.
- Scar location – Scars in a highly visible location will typically result in more compensation, and scarring in the face and neck usually generate the greatest amount of compensation.
- Severity of the scar – Scars that are very severe and prominent will result in higher compensation. In addition, if you suffer permanent scarring, it will typically result in a higher settlement than scars which can be removed by plastic surgery.
- Occupation – Individuals who work in jobs where dog bite scarring may negatively impact their earning potential may receive higher levels of compensation. This may apply to people who are models, work in the entertainment industry, or have another career where their appearance plays a role in their ability to make a living.
- Total cost of scar treatment – Any medical bills for scar reduction treatments will be factored into the value of compensation you receive.
Pushchak Law Can Help You Maximize Your Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement
If you’ve experienced scarring and disfigurement from a dog bite attack, Pushchak Law can ensure your compensation reflects the full impact these scars have on your life. Brian Pushchak has made dog bite cases a primary focus of his practice, and this specialization helps him accurately estimate the value of noneconomic damages such as scarring and disfigurement.
Mr. Pushchak will assess all the evidence associated with your attack and consult with expert witnesses when necessary to assess the value of these damages. In addition, he will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure their settlement offer includes adequate compensation for your scarring and disfigurement.
When you work with Mr. Pushchak, you’ll also benefit from his unique Informed Decisions™ Approach focused on helping you achieve the best possible outcome to your case. This approach has been designed to ensure you fully understand all your legal rights and options, and it keeps you in control of the entire process. After recommending the best strategy to achieve your desired outcome, Mr. Pushchak will answer all your questions to ensure you feel comfortable with the established plan. You’ll always have the final say on how we handle your case, ensuring Mr. Pushchak’s strategy always remains aligned with your best interests.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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