A dog bite is a scary and potentially life-changing event. It can result in serious injury, usually requiring stitches and possibly hospitalization. A child who has been bitten by a dog should always get medical attention right away, as well as talk to their parent or guardian about how to deal with the situation.
Contact The Owner
The first step after being bitten by a dog is typically contacting the owner of the animal. This person should also be notified if there are any potential legal ramifications for allowing their pet to bite someone else's child in public without supervision. If you can't get hold of an owner or if it seems like they're not taking responsibility for their pet's actions, call 911 immediately—especially if you think your child might need emergency surgery due to the severity of their injuries.
Identify The Dog
Ask the owner to sign a statement that you are not at fault for any injuries your child may have sustained because of this incident, as well as provide a phone number where they can be reached if there are any questions or concerns regarding your child's injury while they're away from home or work.
Call the police and make sure that they send an officer out in case you need to file charges against the owner of the dog (i.e., bite charges). This is especially important if your child was injured by the animal outside its own property since it will likely fall under another jurisdiction's jurisdiction which may require more time than usual before receiving assistance due to jurisdictional issues between counties or cities when filing reports with police departments who may be unfamiliar with each other's policies/procedures beyond their own city limits."
Document the Injury + Determine the Liability
If a dog bites a child, you should document the injury. The best way to do this is by having it photographed and documented by a doctor, nurse, or paramedic. If the child is bitten on their face or head then they should be taken to hospital as soon as possible by ambulance.
The extent of liability for the owner of the dog will depend on their negligence. In most cases, dog owners are liable for any damages caused by their dogs. However, this liability can be limited if you were trespassing or if your behavior provoked the dog to attack you.
Treat the Injury ASAP
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, it is prudent to get any injuries treated as soon as possible. At the very least, you should clean the wound with soap and water; if you can't get to a doctor right away, apply an antibiotic ointment. If there are deep puncture wounds or lacerations on your skin that aren't healing within two weeks of receiving medical attention, consult with your doctor again.
You Can Sue For Pain and Suffering + Economic Losses
It is important to note that pain and suffering damages are not mandatory. These damages are only awarded in certain circumstances; therefore, if you were a victim of a dog bite and do not believe that your case justifies the payment of these damages, it is advisable for you to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about whether or not this type of claim would be appropriate for your situation.
In addition, there is no set amount for the award of pain and suffering damages in dog bite cases. The amount that any individual receives will depend on several factors including:
How badly they were injured
How long their injuries take to heal
Whether or not they require surgery as a result of their injuries
Which Dogs Are Known to Bite More?
Pit bulls and rottweilers are at the top of this list, accounting for over 50% of all fatal dog attacks since 1982.
Smaller dogs bite more often than larger ones do. According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), bites from small breeds make up 72% of those sustained in homes each year and 84% of those sustained outside homes.
The majority of dog bites occur in private residences—70%, according to one study—and 76% involve an unaltered male dog as the perpetrator, according to another study by the AVMA.
If you have questions…contact us today!
The fact that there are around 4.5 million dog bites annually in the US alone shows that there is a big problem with dog bites and their consequences. The best way to avoid being bitten by a dog is to be aware of your surroundings and know what to do if you see a potential threat. If your child has been attacked by one, it’s important to get them medical treatment right away so they don’t suffer any long-term effects from their injuries.
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