Dog bites are a serious public health concern, and unfortunately, Colorado is no exception. While any dog bite can be traumatic, facial lacerations are particularly devastating, causing not only physical pain and disfigurement but also lasting emotional and psychological scars.
Understanding Facial Lacerations
A laceration is a tear or cut in the skin. When caused by a dog bite, these injuries can be particularly severe due to the crushing and tearing nature of the bite. Dogs’ teeth and jaws are powerful, and a bite to the face can damage skin, muscles, nerves, and even bone. Facial lacerations can range from minor cuts to deep, complex wounds that require extensive medical treatment.
The Physical Consequences
The physical effects of facial lacerations from dog bites can be extensive and may include:
- Severe Pain: Facial injuries are inherently painful due to the high concentration of nerves in the face.
- Bleeding: The face has a rich blood supply, so lacerations can bleed profusely.
- Infection: Dog mouths contain a variety of bacteria, making bite wounds prone to infection. Infections can delay healing, worsen scarring, and even lead to serious complications like sepsis.
- Scarring: Even with the best medical care, facial lacerations often result in permanent scarring. The severity of scarring depends on the depth and location of the wound, as well as individual healing factors. Scars can be disfiguring and impact a person’s self-esteem.
- Nerve Damage: Facial nerves control movement and sensation. A deep laceration can damage these nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, or even paralysis of facial muscles.
- Tissue Damage: Dog bites can cause significant damage to underlying tissues, including muscles, tendons, and blood vessels. This can affect facial function and appearance.
- Facial Fractures: Although less common, severe dog bites can cause fractures to the facial bones, particularly in children. The nasal bones and orbital bones (around the eyes) are especially vulnerable.
- Eye Injuries: Bites near the eyes can cause direct damage to the eye itself or the surrounding structures, potentially leading to vision problems or even blindness.
The Emotional and Psychological Impact
Beyond the physical injuries, facial lacerations from dog bites can have a profound emotional and psychological impact, especially on children, who are the most frequent victims of dog bites. These impacts can include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The trauma of a dog attack can lead to PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and avoidance of dogs or situations that remind the victim of the attack.
- Anxiety and Fear: Victims may develop a fear of dogs (cynophobia) or a general anxiety about being in public places where dogs might be present.
- Depression: The disfigurement and emotional trauma associated with facial lacerations can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness.
- Body Image Issues: Facial scars can significantly impact a person’s self-image and confidence, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood.
- Social Isolation: Victims may withdraw from social activities due to embarrassment or fear of judgment about their appearance.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Nightmares and anxiety can disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue and further emotional distress.
Medical Treatment and Costs
Treatment for facial lacerations from dog bites can be complex and expensive. It may involve:
- Emergency Care: Immediate medical attention is crucial to clean the wound, control bleeding, and assess the extent of the injuries.
- Wound Closure: Depending on the severity of the laceration, stitches, staples, or skin adhesives may be used to close the wound.
- Plastic Surgery: Reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissues, minimize scarring, and restore facial function. This can involve multiple procedures over time.
- Scar Revision: Even after initial healing, scar revision procedures may be needed to improve the appearance of scars.
- Therapy: Physical therapy may be required to regain facial movement and function, while psychological therapy can help address the emotional and psychological trauma.
- Medications: Antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent or treat infection and pain medication may be needed to manage pain.
- Rabies and Tetanus: If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, rabies prophylaxis may be necessary. Tetanus shots are also standard procedure.
The costs associated with these treatments can be substantial, potentially running into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime, especially if multiple surgeries or long-term therapy are required.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws: Strict Liability
Colorado has a “strict liability” dog bite law. This means that a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before or shown any signs of aggression. There are exceptions, such as if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog.
Under Colorado’s strict liability law, a dog owner is liable for economic damages if the bite causes “serious bodily injury.” Serious bodily injury is defined as an injury that involves:
- A substantial risk of death.
- A substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement.
- A substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body.
- Breaks, fractures.
Facial lacerations often meet this definition, particularly if they result in significant scarring, nerve damage, or require extensive reconstructive surgery. Economic damages include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
It’s important to note that under the strict liability statute, only economic damages are recoverable. To recover non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering, emotional distress), a victim would need to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner. Negligence might involve failing to properly restrain the dog or knowing that the dog had a history of aggression.
Common Dog Breeds Involved in Bites
While any dog can bite, some breeds are statistically more likely to be involved in serious biting incidents. In Colorado, studies have shown that Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers are frequently implicated in dog bite cases. Pit Bulls, in particular, have been associated with a higher risk of severe injuries. It’s crucial to remember that breed-specific data should be interpreted cautiously, and individual dog behavior is influenced by many factors beyond breed, including training, socialization, and individual temperament.
If you or a loved one has suffered facial lacerations or any other injuries from a dog bite in Colorado, it’s essential to seek legal counsel. Monge & Associates has 32 offices in 19 states, including Colorado, Illinois, and Kansas. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us now for a free consultation at (888) 477-0597. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and get the justice you deserve.