Hand and Limb Nerve Damage From Dog Attacks
When an individual is the victim of a dog bite attack, their first concern is generally with the lacerations and eventual scarring. There may be other more pressing issues of concern, besides the superficial wounds. In many instances, dog bites cause nerve damage. And that can become permanent. Also, it could include the loss of movement or sensation. And in rare cases, a victim can lose a limb or finger. Contents
What Causes Dog Bite Nerve Damage to Happen?
Canines have an unusual amount of jaw strength. Dogs remain domesticated wolves no matter what they look like. Their ancestors hunted for food, ripping flesh from their prey and even breaking bones. Dogs have not lost this jaw strength.
Also, some large dogs have as much as 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. When an attack occurs, it can cause severe harm. In fact, this is enough pressure to break hands and other bones. The flesh can tear. So damage to nerves under the skin may be present.
There are two ways nerve damage can occur:
- During a dog attack, a bite can break the skin.
- But it does not have to puncture to cause nerve damage.
It depends on the amount of damage to know if surgery or therapy will work.
Treatment of Nerve Damage.
Nerves carry messages to and from the brain to let the body know things such as temperature, pressure, and pain when coming in contact with something. The other thing these messages do is to tell the muscles how to react. If nerve damage occurs, it disrupts these signals, which can have several consequences, such as loss of sensation, numbness, or loss of movement.
Three types of nerve damage can occur:
- Neurapraxia: This is a type of minor nerve damage. So this means the nerves weren't severed. But they could be injured or crushed. So in the case, the damage could heal in days or weeks.
- Axonotmesis: This is a more severe type of nerve damage. In that case, the nerves have not been severed. But they could be severely stretched, yet still intact. Also, while this type of injury does have the ability to heal, it can result in the loss of sensation and movement. As a matter of fact, it can take can months or even years to heal from this kind of damage with therapy to recover range of motion.
- Neurotmesis: This is the worst type of nerve damage. In fact, crushing, stretching, or laceration may result. Also, it could be permanent unless it gets repaired. Repair is achieved by immobilizing the limb or with surgery.
The dog bite victim's concern is nerve damage that exists that is causing loss of sensation or movement in hands and fingers. Also, this kind of debilitation affects the ability to work, daily activities, and quality of life.
If diagnosed as Neurotmesis, surgery won't completely restore health. Recovery remains expensive. Also, it could take a long time to heal or recover as much as possible.
Dog Bites, Nerve Damage, and Recovering Compensation.
When a person suffers a dog bite, there are injuries such as lacerations, fractures, nerve damage, and even the risk of infection to heal from. Then there is the emotional trauma that is present. All of this can be difficult to handle and on top of it, is the financial hardship for the victim and the family.
If someone suffered harm in a dog bite attack, the legal right to compensation exists. Our dog bite attorneys can provide excellent representation. And we do so to assist in recovering the economic damages you deserve. Money may exist for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The law firm provides a free consultation to discuss your claim. Also, we charge no upfront fees for our services until we make a recovery in your case.
