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A dog bite may look harmless, just a small puncture or some swelling. But beneath the skin, these injuries can cause tissue damage, life-threatening infections, and emotional trauma that lasts long after the wound heals.
Understanding the long-term consequences of dog bites isn’t just crucial for your health; it’s essential for protecting your right to full compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, you deserve that level of experience on your side. Our Syracuse dog bite attorneys make sure victims get the care and compensation they need, today and in the future.
Why Dog Bites Can Lead to Chronic Problems
According to Harvard Health, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. every year. Many of these incidents result in infections, nerve damage, or psychological trauma.
Dog bites are different from other injuries. Dogs’ teeth puncture the skin, crush tissues, tear muscles, and leave bacteria behind. Even if the bite looks minor, bacteria from the dog’s mouth and hidden internal damage can lead to persistent pain, infection, and permanent disability.
Without early medical treatment and documentation, these complications can worsen over time, making it harder to prove legal claims.
Hidden Medical Complications
Even with proper wound cleaning, dog bites can lead to serious medical issues. Some of the most common include:
1. Infections
Dogs carry harmful bacteria such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus in their saliva. If these enter the wound, they can cause cellulitis, abscesses, or systemic infections. In severe cases, infections can spread to the bloodstream (sepsis), leading to hospitalization or even death.
Antibiotics, wound cultures, and follow-up treatments are often required. Delayed treatment increases the risk of long-term tissue and joint damage.
2. Nerve Damage
Severe bites can cut or crush nerves, especially in the hands, arms, or face. This may cause numbness, tingling, chronic pain, or permanent loss of movement. Some victims require nerve graft surgeries, while others are left with lifelong limitations.
3. Muscle and Tendon Injuries
A dog’s jaw can exert hundreds of pounds of pressure. That force can tear muscles, tendons, or ligaments, affecting mobility and strength. Without surgery and physical therapy, victims may struggle with gripping, walking, or lifting.
4. Scarring and Disfigurement
Deep wounds often leave visible scars or disfigurement, especially on the face, arms, or legs. These injuries may require multiple plastic surgeries and can impact a person’s confidence and mental health.
Psychological Effects
The trauma from a dog bite isn’t just physical. Many victims, especially children, struggle emotionally long after the wounds heal.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, panic attacks, or fear of dogs are common after a violent attack.
- Specific Phobias: Some victims develop a fear of all dogs or animals, making daily tasks like walking outside stressful.
- Anxiety and Depression: Chronic pain, scarring, or lost mobility can lead to isolation, sadness, or loss of interest in everyday activities.
- Sleep Problems: Nightmares, insomnia, or fear of sleeping alone often occur in dog bite survivors.
Therapy, counseling, and sometimes medication are necessary to help victims recover emotionally.
Children and Older Adults Are at Higher Risk
Children and seniors are especially vulnerable to long-term complications:
- Children may suffer facial injuries that interfere with growth, require reconstructive surgery, or cause social anxiety.
- Older adults often have weaker immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and slower to heal.
Because these victims may need extended medical care and emotional support, their legal claims may involve higher compensation.
Legal Rights in New York
New York State ranked fifth in the nation for dog bite incidents in 2024, with 322 reported cases. Six of those attacks involved Syracuse-area mail carriers, per USPS data.
Dog owners in New York are subject to a combination of strict liability and negligence laws. This means they can be held responsible for medical bills and long-term damages if their dog causes harm, especially if the dog has a history of aggression.
How Long-Term Complications Affect Compensation
Dog bite cases in New York take into account more than just emergency room bills. If long-term medical treatment, therapy, surgery, or lost wages are expected, victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Plastic surgery or rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental health treatment
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
Working with our experienced Syracuse dog bite attorneys ensures that long-term complications are fully documented and included in your claim.
Injured by a Dog? Don’t Wait to Get Help
A dog bite can lead to infections, nerve damage, scarring, PTSD, and lifelong struggles. If you or your child has been attacked, don’t brush it off; get medical attention, document everything, and speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
For over three decades, our legal team has advocated for the rights of victims throughout Central New York and the Southern Tier. We have helped thousands of people, building an extensive record of success and recovering millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
