After a dog bites a child, take immediate steps to protect the child and administer effective injury care. We’ll walk you through the best steps to take when a dog bites a child.
What Should I Do If a Dog Bites a Child?
The first step to take is to separate the dog from the child. Each situation will need to be handled differently depending on the dog, where the attack is taking place, whether the dog owner is present and anything else that is happening.
Do your best to find out what you can about the dog owner and the dog. You’ll particularly want to know if the dog is up to date with vaccinations. Then, follow these next steps.
1. Seek Medical Attention
The very first step to take is to take the child to an emergency room or other medical professional to assess the wounds. Some dog bite injuries aren’t always as easily apparent. This is why a trained medical provider needs to look at the injuries. It might also be a good time to document the injuries if you’re able to. Keep all of the medical receipts as evidence to claim compensation.
2. Gather Evidence
Even if you haven’t decided to pursue compensation, gathering evidence can be critical to your case or the next steps.
A dog bite case that involves a minor can have a different time frame than a case involving an adult. Most personal injury cases, including dog bites, have a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the incident.
When a dog bites a child, a case can be brought against the dog owner for two years from the date of the child’s 18th birthday. If the dog bite case takes place years after the dog attack occurred, evidence gathered at the time of the attack will be essential to the dog bite claim.
Evidence to gather will include any medical bills or expenses, bloody clothing, witnesses and their accounts, photos of the scene and the injuries, and any other information relevant to a case.
3. Report that the Dog Bit a Minor
Report dog bites to the local police or animal control officer. Reporting a dog bite allows authorities to better track a dog’s behavior and aggression, may help other victims attacked by that dog, and can strengthen your dog bite claim. In Pennsylvania, a judge can declare a dog as dangerous and require listing the dog on the dangerous dog registry. The dog owner will need to comply with certain provisions when that happens.
4. Help The Child Recover After a Dog Bite
A child may need emotional support after experiencing a dog attack. This may include professional therapists or other treatments. Children can suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following a dog attack. A mental health professional can help them to work through their fear and their emotions following the attack.
Take small steps when introducing dogs back into the life of a child that was bit by a dog. Take cues from the child about when they are ready to interact with animals again. This can take some time, so prepare to be patient.
5. Speak With an Attorney About Your Dog Bites Child Claim
A dog bite attorney can review your claim and discuss any next steps you may want to take. Whether a parent or guardian wants to launch a claim on behalf of a minor dog bite victim or you take other steps, consult an experienced attorney so you know your options. The child may have years of physical and emotional recovery that isn’t immediately apparent. Recovering compensation for the dog bite attack can be an important step in helping the child to get the care they need.
Contact Jeffrey H. Penneys For a Dog Bites Child Claim
Jeffrey H. Penneys is an experienced dog bite lawyer and understands how dog bite laws apply to cases involving children. He offers a free legal consultation and will provide you with objective advice and his initial thoughts on your dog bite claim. Contact him 24/7 at 215-771-0430 to discuss a dog bite claim in Pennsylvania.