Those who suffer from a dog bite need to be aware that the issues they face may last for a long time. Healing is not always the simple, straightforward process that people often assume it is. It can actually be a brutal process that is, in some ways, far worse than the pain from the initial injury.
For instance, some deeper wounds take a long time to heal, and people can suffer from very intense itching sensations while healing. This isn’t something they can turn off or get away from. It’s an ever-present sensation that can wreck their lives for weeks or months to come.
“The doctors don’t tell you about that,” said a 63-year-old woman in an interview with the Seattle Times, while explaining just how horrendous the itching feeling was. “There are people who say they’ve thought about suicide because of the itching.”
Itching isn’t the only issue. Some people never fully heal and end up with permanent disabilities. Others suffer bites that are so bad that they’re left disfigured for life. Still others wind up with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. They may have flashbacks to the event, they may suffer from panic attacks, they may have trouble sleeping and they may find that they can never again go near a dog — even a friendly one — without feeling a profound fear that the event is going to repeat itself.
If you have been bitten by a dog and you’re thinking about the type of financial compensation you need, make sure you consider all of the potential issues you may face as you look into your legal options.