Facial Scarring After a Dog Bite in Pennsylvania

Dog bites can cause serious injuries anywhere on the body, but facial injuries can be particularly significant. A bite to the face may leave permanent scars, changes in skin color or texture, numbness, sensitivity, and emotional effects that continue long after the initial wound has healed.

These injuries can be especially concerning when the victim is a child. Because a facial scar is difficult to conceal and may remain visible throughout a person's life, permanent scarring and disfigurement can be an important part of a Pennsylvania dog bite injury claim.

Why Dog Bites Can Cause Facial Scarring

A dog attack can cause puncture wounds, lacerations, tearing of the skin, and other trauma. Injuries around the eyes, cheeks, lips, nose, and ears can be particularly difficult because of the delicate structures involved and the visibility of the resulting scars.

Even a wound that does not require extensive emergency treatment can potentially leave a lasting mark.

As the injury heals, a dog bite victim may experience:

• Permanent or noticeable scarring

• Redness or discoloration

• Changes in skin texture

• Numbness or altered sensation

• Itching or sensitivity

• Pain or tenderness

• Changes in facial appearance

The long-term effects of an injury may not be fully apparent immediately after the attack.

Facial Dog Bites Involving Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to facial injuries from dogs because of their height and proximity to a dog's head.

A facial scar on a young child also presents issues that may not exist with other injuries. The child's face will continue to grow and develop, and the appearance and effect of a scar may change over time.

There may also be emotional consequences. A child may become self-conscious about a visible scar or experience anxiety around dogs following an attack.

For these reasons, evaluating a child's dog bite claim may require looking beyond the initial emergency-room treatment and considering the potential long-term physical and emotional consequences of the injury.

Does a Dog Bite Scar Have to Be Severe to Have Value?

Not necessarily.

Insurance companies sometimes focus heavily on the amount of initial medical treatment. But the significance of a facial injury is not determined solely by whether the victim required stitches, surgery, or hospitalization.

A scar can remain visible long after the wound itself has healed. Its significance may depend on factors such as:

• The location of the scar

• Its size and appearance

• Whether it is raised, depressed, or discolored

• Whether redness becomes more noticeable with heat or physical activity

• Whether the victim experiences numbness or sensitivity

• The victim's age

• Whether future treatment may improve its appearance

• Whether the scar is expected to be permanent

Photographs taken over time can be particularly important in documenting how a facial injury heals and what residual scarring remains.

Why a Plastic Surgeon May Evaluate a Dog Bite Scar

When a dog bite results in facial scarring, an evaluation by a plastic surgeon or other appropriate specialist may help determine the nature and permanence of the injury.

A specialist may evaluate whether the scar is likely to improve naturally, whether additional treatment could reduce its appearance, and whether surgical or non-surgical scar revision may be appropriate.

Even when additional treatment is not recommended, a medical opinion concerning the permanence and appearance of the scar can be important when evaluating an injury claim.

What Compensation May Be Available for Facial Scarring?

The value of every Pennsylvania dog bite claim depends upon its individual circumstances. When a dog attack causes facial scarring, potential damages may include:

• Medical expenses

• Future medical or surgical treatment

• Pain and suffering

• Scarring and disfigurement

• Emotional distress

• Loss of life's pleasures

• Other consequences of the injury

A permanent facial scar can have consequences extending well beyond the original medical bills.

Who May Be Responsible for a Pennsylvania Dog Bite?

Liability for a dog attack depends upon the circumstances.

Potential issues can include the dog's prior behavior, whether the owner knew or should have known that the dog posed a danger, whether the dog was properly restrained, and where and how the attack occurred.

In some circumstances, a landlord or property owner may also bear responsibility if that person knew of a dangerous dog on the property and had sufficient control over the premises to address the danger.

Because Pennsylvania dog bite cases are fact-specific, liability should be evaluated based upon the circumstances of the particular attack.

What Evidence Is Important in a Facial-Scarring Dog Bite Claim?

Evidence should be preserved as early as possible following a serious dog attack. Depending upon the circumstances, useful evidence may include:

• Photographs of the injury immediately after the attack

• Photographs documenting the healing process

• Photographs showing the appearance of the scar months or years later

• Emergency-room and medical records

• Plastic surgery or dermatology evaluations

• Witness information

• Police, animal-control, or EMS records

• Information concerning the dog's ownership and history

• Evidence concerning prior incidents involving the dog

For scars that change appearance under certain conditions—such as becoming redder during exercise, heat, or sweating—photographs documenting those changes may also be useful.

How Long Do I Have to Bring a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Claim?

Pennsylvania generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. However, different rules can apply when the injured person is a minor.

Because statutes of limitation can prevent an otherwise valid claim from being pursued, anyone considering a dog bite claim should obtain legal advice concerning the deadline applicable to the particular circumstances.

Contact a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer

A facial dog bite can leave consequences that last long after the initial wound has healed. When evaluating a claim involving permanent facial scarring or disfigurement, it is important to consider not only the initial medical treatment but also the injury's long-term physical, cosmetic, and emotional effects.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, Sklarosky Law is here to help.

We proudly represent dog bite victims in the following counties:

• Luzerne County Dog Bite Lawyer
• Columbia County Dog Bite Lawyer
• Lackawanna County Dog Bite Lawyer
• Carbon County Dog Bite Lawyer
• Monroe County Dog Bite Lawyer
• Wyoming County Dog Bite Lawyer

You may have the right to compensation—but acting quickly matters. Evidence can disappear, and deadlines apply. At Sklarosky Law, we offer free consultations and handle dog bite cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.