When you think of a dog bite, you may think of minor cuts and bruises that heal quickly. The reality is that some dog bites are much more serious. A vicious dog attack or mauling by a dog can cause devastating injuries, permanent scarring, and long-lasting psychological damage. Dog bite victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). Proper diagnosis and treatment are important to getting better, but PTSD symptoms aren’t always recognized, and treatment can be expensive.
In today’s post, we’ll talk about PTSD after a dog bite and signs to look out for. If you or your child has suffered an injury, we recommend reaching out to a dog bite lawyer at Littlejohn Barristers to schedule a free initial consultation. We can review your claim, discuss your legal options, and help you secure compensation to put you or your child on the path to recovery.
Physical and psychological impacts of a dog bite or dog attack
A person attacked by a dog can suffer significant physical harm, including lacerations, bone fractures, concussions, scarring, and internal injuries. It’s also extremely common for a person hurt by a dog to experience psychological repercussions. Dog-related injuries can cause anxiety, depression, fear of dogs, or emotional distress due to scars or disfigurement. In some cases, the psychological damage can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder.
What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder or “PTSD” is a mental health condition caused by an extremely stressful or traumatic event. Many people have a hard time coping after a traumatic event but get better over time. That is not always the case. For some people, symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and fear get worse and become debilitating, impacting their ability to function long after the trauma occurred.
PTSD is diagnosed by a health care professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
Signs and symptoms of PTSD after dog attack
Signs of emotional trauma may appear soon after a dog-related incident, or they may develop in the days, weeks, or months that follow. Be on the lookout for signs and symptoms such as:
Anxiety or panic attacks (e.g., triggered by the sound or sight of a dog, or by memories of the incident itself).
Avoidance of dogs, certain situations (e.g. going near the location where the incident occurred), or leaving the house altogether
Re-experiencing the incident in the form of intrusive flashbacks, often replayed in a loop, with intense feelings of reliving the incident
Nightmares, insomnia or other sleep disturbances
Hypervigilance or being quick to startle
Irritability and being prone to angry outbursts or mood swings
For younger children, signs of PTSD or emotional difficulties may look different, such as crying, separation anxiety/clinging to parents, becoming withdrawn, bedwetting or other regressions.
To qualify for a PTSD diagnosis, the symptoms must be persistent. If any symptoms or concerns arise, it’s extremely important to speak with your health care professional as soon as possible to ensure correct diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations. Timely treatment is essential to overcoming the trauma and emotional fall out after a serious dog bite or dog attack.
Talk to a dog bite lawyer about claiming compensation
In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act makes dog owners strictly liable for harm caused by their dog. If you or your child has been hurt in a dog-related incident, it’s important to act quickly to hold the dog owner and any other responsible parties accountable for injuries or other damages. Contacting a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible is the best way to protect legal rights and understand options for claiming financial compensation.
Both physical and psychological harm are compensable
Personal injury compensation is determined by looking at the nature and severity of injuries. That means a dog bite victim is entitled to compensation for all physical injuries and for all psychological harm caused by the dog—regardless of whether the injured person meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or not.
The level of compensation depends on how the injuries are impacting the victim of the dog attack. Are they missing work or school? Are they experiencing significant pain and/or psychological distress? Are they unable to do activities they previously enjoyed because of the injuries? Will they need surgery to address scarring or disfigurement? Do they require extensive treatment and medication for PTSD or other mental health consequences?
An injured person is entitled to general damages to compensate them for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. They are entitled to claim for past wage loss, medical and rehabilitation costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the injuries. They can also claim for future wage losses and future care costs.
Guidance and Support from an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer
Barrie law firm Littlejohn Barristers can represent you or your child in their dog bite or animal attack claim. We have extensive experience representing adult and child dog bite victims. We can help navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and secure fair compensation for any physical and emotional injuries.
If you want clear legal advice and strong advocacy from a personal injury lawyer in Collingwood, Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Innisfil, or the surrounding areas, Littlejohn Barristers can help. Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation initial consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer.