What To Do If Your Child Is Bitten By a Dog

Animal attacks are terrifying. If your child gets bitten by a dog, it can be difficult to think straight and know what to do. Obviously, your child’s safety is your first priority. When the immediate danger has passed, seek medical care immediately, even if the wound appears to be minor. Once you have addressed their physical well-being, you can move on to reporting the bite and documenting what happened.

At Shamieh Law, we serve as a resource for parents who need help understanding their legal options after a child’s injury. Our compassionate attorneys have helped countless families get the support they need after a tragic accident.

What Should You Do After an Animal Attack?

There are several steps you can take after a dog bites a child that will not only help your child but also preserve your right to file a premises liability claim. These steps include:

Safety: Get your child away from the dog and to a safe place.
Wound care: Focus on wound care, such as washing the wound with soap and running water and applying pressure.
Seek medical attention: Get medical care even if the bite seems minor. A doctor can check for infection and tissue damage. Additionally, a doctor can determine whether a tetanus shot or treatment for possible rabies exposure is necessary.
Report: Report the dog bite incident to the police.
Gather information: If you can do so safely, collect the dog owner’s contact and insurance information.
Preserve evidence: Keep your medical bills and related records, as these expenses may be covered through a claim.

What if You Don’t Know the Dog’s Vaccination Status?

If the owner is available, ask for the dog’s rabies vaccination record. It is also helpful to ask for the veterinarian’s contact information. If the owner is unavailable and the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, contact the local health or animal-control authorities. They can determine whether the dog should be observed or tested and whether your child needs rabies treatment.

Details To Record Following a Dog Bite

If possible, document as much of the following information about the incident as you can. This can include:

The date, time, and location of the attack
What happened before and during the incident
Your child’s injuries and medical treatment
Information about the dog and its owner
Witness names and contact information
Photographs of the injuries and location
Animal-control or police reports

Preserving this evidence will help hold negligent parties accountable for damages in a personal injury claim.

Do You Have a Claim if Your Child is Bitten by a Dog?

Whether or not you have a legal claim after your child’s dog-bite injury depends on your state’s laws and the facts of your dog bite incident. Liability will also depend on where the attack occurred, the dog’s history, and whether the owner knew of prior aggression or failed to control the animal. In Texas, the dog bite laws allow you to file a strict liability claim if you can prove the owner knew or should have known that the animal was dangerous. You can also file a claim if the owner was negligent and didn’t use reasonable care to keep others safe. Under Louisiana law, an owner may be held strictly liable if you can prove that the owner could have prevented the attack, and the person who was attacked did nothing to provoke the animal. If the owner claims that your child provoked the animal, your child’s age, actions, and the full circumstances of the incident will be considered.

What Compensation is Available After a Dog Bites a Child?

If you can prove the dog’s owner was liable, your child may be entitled to receive compensation. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your incident, compensation can include:

Reimbursement for emergency care and other medical expenses
Money for future treatment, including plastic surgery or counseling
Compensation for pain, emotional distress, and trauma
Compensation for scarring or disfigurement
Money to cover a permanent impairment or disability

When Should You Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer?

An attorney will advocate for your child’s right to recover compensation and handle the insurance adjusters on your behalf. You should especially contact a lawyer if your child suffered a serious or facial injury, scarring, infection, emotional trauma, or a wound requiring extensive medical treatment. Legal guidance will also help when the dog owner or insurer disputes responsibility. You should also contact a lawyer if you’ve received an offer from an insurance company to settle your claims.

An attorney can review how the attack occurred, medical records, photographs, witness statements, animal-control reports, and applicable laws. At Shamieh Law, we can help you evaluate your child’s potential claims and explain your family’s legal options.

Talk to Shamieh Law About Your Child’s Dog Bite

We offer free initial consultations and case evaluations. If a dog bit your child, we can help you understand your rights to pursue compensation and your family’s legal options. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us online. You can also reach our Texas office at 469-813-7332 or our Louisiana office at 337-435-8071.

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