Dogs are wonderful and lovely pets. They are severely loyal, loving, and playful. However, if not trained properly, dogs can end up hurting other people. Most of the time, innocent children who are unaware of the danger end up becoming victims of dog attacks and dog bites.
Dog bites can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Dog attacks involving big dogs are the most threatening to kids. In worse cases, it can result in lifetime scarring, as well as intense trauma and fear of dogs.
If your child was attacked and bitten by a dog, make sure to seek medical assistance immediately. You can also seek legal assistance from an expert attorney who is experienced with lawsuits involving dog bites on children. Your lawyer can assist you with the legal options you can take and the damages that you might be able to claim.
Why Are Kids the Usual Victims of Dog Bites?
There are several reasons why kids are common victims of dog bites. For one, children usually see dogs as their friendly and cuddly pets. This is true if you have a family dog. Whenever they see other dogs, children assume that they are also friendly. Due to their innocence and lack of experience, they underestimate the danger that a stranger dog presents.
Dog attacks on children can end in serious and grave injuries. It can be even more serious if there is no adult in the scene to intervene or stop the dog from attacking. Children’s dog attacks usually occur at the house of a neighbor, relative, or a friend.
Statistics show that children below nine years old make up 27% of dog bite deaths in 2019. Of this percentage, 77% were children aged 0-2 years old, 69% of whom are boys.
Non-family dogs caused 56% of fatal dog attacks for 2019, while 19% involved a family dog. 31% of dog attack fatalities involved victims visiting the dog’s owner during the attack.
Who is Liable for a Dog Attack?
According to Michigan Law, the owner of the dog is liable when the owned dog bites a person. This is regardless if the victim was bitten on public or private property. The exception to this law is when the dog was unnecessarily provoked or if the victim was not allowed to be on the property grounds in the first place.
Your Michigan personal injury lawyer must be able to prove that the injuries that your child sustained came from the dog bite. He must also ensure that no exceptions apply to your situation.
Dog bites in children often result in serious injuries. Here are some injuries that you should watch out for.
Dog bites can result in bacterial infections. Infections can negatively affect the healing of the wound and may require additional medical care. Common complications may include but are not limited to Rabies, Pasteurella, and Tetanus.
- Scarring and Disfigurement. Dog bites can leave permanent scars that can last for the rest of the child’s life. Some serious wounds that do not heal may even require plastic surgery. However, surgery can only be done at a specific age. The child would have to suffer the physical pain of the wound and the emotional pain. The child may feel self-conscious about his scars, which may affect his self-esteem.
- Emotional Trauma. The attack can be so traumatic that it can scar your child for life. He may feel distressed and fearful whenever he sees dogs after the accident.
- Crushing and Bone Injuries. Large and dangerous dogs can break the bones and damage the tissues of a little child.
Contact a Michigan Dog Bite Lawyer Today
The Clark Law Office is committed to helping you get the compensation and justice that you deserve. If your child has been severely injured by a dog bite, call our office for a free initial consultation. We offer you our expertise and vast experience to help you through this difficult time. Call us now to book an appointment.
