Dog attacks can cause devastating injuries: Every year, almost 900,000 Americans require medical attention because of dog bites, and about 27,000 of these victims require multiple corrective or reconstructive surgeries to treat their injuries.
If you’ve suffered severe injuries after being attacked and bitten by a dog, you’re probably dealing with anxiety over the days and months ahead as well as physical pain and the exhausting process of surgery and other medical treatment. To help lift the cloud of uncertainty, we’ll discuss some common complications and challenges that dog bite victims face and different ways you can address them.
For Many Dog Bite Victims, the Recovery Journey Is a Long One
Every dog bite victim has unique injuries, so it’s impossible to predict exactly what your recovery process will look like or what hurdles you might encounter. However, there are a few common issues injured victims face after a traumatic incident like a dog bite. Knowing about those challenges can help you prepare for what may come next.
- Returning home after a hospital stay will probably feel like a relief at first, but this often turns into one of the most challenging periods for dog bite victims.
After you leave the hospital, the powerful pain medications that hospitals can provide under close supervision will wear off. While you may still have a prescription to manage your pain at home, you may also begin to feel (and grapple with) the full extent of your injuries. The best way to tackle this challenge is to talk honestly with your doctor and your loved ones about what you’re going through and ask for help whenever and however you need it.
- Your recovery won’t be an overnight process, and it may never feel complete.
Your body suffered severe trauma during the dog attack, and healing will require lots of time. You may have to go through ongoing physical therapy, and your injuries might require additional surgeries in the future. It’s important to talk with your doctor to make sure you understand your long-term outlook. Set realistic expectations for yourself, and be patient when it comes to looking for results.
- You may feel overwhelmed because of your financial situation.
The medical treatment that follows a serious injury can be incredibly expensive, even for victims who have health insurance. On top of that, many injured victims can’t work after a dog attack, which adds to the financial stress and strain. If you’re struggling with medical bills and lost wages because of your injuries and you don’t know where to turn, contact an experienced dog bite lawyer and get a free consultation to see if they can help you address these costs by filing a personal injury claim.
The single most important thing you can do to help your recovery is to attend all your follow-up appointments, take all your medications as directed, and generally follow orders from your doctor as closely as possible. You should also make sure to communicate openly with your doctor and keep them informed about your health, which includes telling them about any new symptoms or issues that you experience, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Recovery can be a slow process, but if you stay patient and keep putting in the day-to-day work of following your treatment plan, you should eventually start to see improvement.
Addressing Mental Health Issues Is an Important Part of Recovery
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues after your injury, you’re not alone. Many dog bite victims struggle with psychological trauma after an attack, which can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety, or an acute and crippling fear of dogs and/or suffering another dog attack, among others.
The most important step in addressing these challenges is to talk about them with a mental health professional. An expert can help you express what you’re feeling and work with you to develop a comprehensive plan for managing symptoms and treating the underlying issues. This plan may include talk therapy and helpful coping strategies, and it might also involve short-term medications to address acute anxiety.
Your primary care doctor can help you get in touch with a suitable mental health professional, or you can use the internet to find one on your own.
Contact AMA Law if You’ve Been Bitten by a Dog in Oklahoma
If you’ve been seriously injured in a dog attack, you may be wondering where to turn for help. The experienced team of dog bite lawyers at AMA Law is ready to listen to your story with compassion and give you legal advice about your situation. If we’re able to take your case, we’ll fight to get you compensation for your injuries with an aggressive and efficient approach tailored to your unique needs.
To speak with one of our attorneys right away and get a free assessment of your case, call 405-607-8757 or fill out our quick and easy online contact form. We handle all personal injury cases on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, so there’s no risk in contacting us.
References
Clarridge, C. (2008, October 11). Dog bite victims suffer long after attack. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/dog-bite-victims-suffer-long-after-attack/
Dog bite prevention. (2009, May 14). U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.