Teen Girl in Coma After Brutal Pit Bull Attack
Teen Girl in Coma After Brutal Pit Bull Attack
Joslyn Stinchcomb, 15, was brutally attacked by two pit bulls, which officials say, ripped off her scalp and left ear and damaged her throat and trachea, requiring her to be put on a ventilator. According to a report in The Daily Mail, the girl was nearly mauled to death by the two dogs when she was walking through her neighborhood in Winder, Georgia. The girl was two weeks from starting her sophomore year in high school.
Police arrested and charged Alexandria Torregrossa, the dogs’ owner, with reckless conduct. A Barrow County Sheriff’s deputy who responded to the 911 call arrived on the scene and found Joslyn lying face down against a curb as one dog was grabbing her neck and the other was biting at her head. When the deputy got out of his vehicle, one of the dogs approached. The deputy shot the dog that ran off. The other dog also ran away. Investigators later located both dogs at the owner’s residence. One of the dogs has been put down.
Permanent Injuries and Disfigurement
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joslyn Stinchcomb and her family. She obviously has a long and arduous road to recovery. This brutal dog attack is an example of how victims can suffer severe injuries and lifelong disabilities in such incidents.
Josyln’s family said her left ear has been reattached even though doctors are not sure if it will return to be fully functional. They also said that the girl’s scalp was damaged to the point where she may never have hair growth again. While she may be able to have implants, it will be over a year even before those discussions can begin.
Joslyn also suffered lacerations all over her face and body and nerve damage that may affect her smile, her blinking and other facial expressions. Doctors also learned she had a blood clot in her jugular vein that may need treatment. The family is trying to raise money for her medical treatment, which will most likely be ongoing. Her family members expect she will need years of extensive therapy.
Dog Owners’ Responsibility
In such cases, where negligence is involved on the part of a dog owner, in addition to facing criminal penalties, dog owners can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured dog attack victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of surgery, rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, disabilities, disfigurement, psychological counseling, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced dog bite lawyer will be able to help injured victims and their families seek maximum compensation for their tremendous losses.
