Dogs Can Unexpectedly Attack Young Children 

 Posted on February 16, 2023 in Car Accidents

Most people feel as though their dog is a part of the family and provide their furry four-legged friend with close supervision and careful training. But even the best pet dogs can hurt young children, who are often not much bigger than the dogs, and when a dog becomes frightened, threatened, or aggressive, it can unexpectedly attack. 

Over four and a half million people are bitten by dogs every year, and about 20 percent of those bitten need to see a doctor to get medical attention for their injuries. Children in particular are often severely injured and, in tragic cases, even killed in dog attacks. If you or your child have suffered an injury from a neighbor, friend, or family member’s dog, you may be facing a long and expensive recovery. Speak with an Illinois personal injury attorney who can help you determine whether a lawsuit could help you obtain compensation to help you pay for the costs of treatment and any other losses due to the attack. 

When Do Most Dog Bites Happen? 

Kids often miss cues coming from a dog’s body language and can fail to see a threat. Other times, dogs can behave unpredictably, attacking when a provocation is not clear.  Children may stick their hands through a neighbor’s fence on the way home from school, accidentally pull a dog’s tail in a family member’s backyard, or rush up to pet an unknown dog walking down the street with its owner. However the attack happens, Illinois’ strict liability dog bite laws mean that a dog owner is responsible for any injuries caused by their dog if it attacks someone who is allowed to be on the premises where the attack occurs and is not provoking the dog or its owner.

Should I Seek Medical Attention For My Child’s Dog Bite? 

People are often reluctant to get medical attention after a dog bite because they are afraid of getting friends, neighbors, or family in trouble. Unfortunately, choosing not to involve medical professionals and authorities can lead to serious problems down the road, especially in cases involving children.

Even if your child has been bitten by a dog and it seems like the injury is not severe, experts still suggest getting medical attention right away. There are several reasons for this. First, dog bites can cause puncture wounds that do not necessarily appear serious but which can drive dangerous bacteria from a dog’s mouth deep into body tissue, leading to dangerous infections. Second, after a traumatic event, children are not always able to clearly communicate the pain they are feeling. Finally, if you do decide to take legal action, you will need to document your child’s injuries with a medical professional. People are often not aware of how serious an injury is after it happens, and it can be difficult or impossible to recover evidence after some time has passed. 

Call a Rockford, IL Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or your child have been seriously injured by a dog bite or attack, schedule a free meeting with a Winnebago County dog bite attorney right away. If you need to take legal action against the dog’s owner, the sooner you act, the easier it will be to collect evidence. Our team here at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law will work hard to negotiate or litigate the maximum possible compensation for your family’s suffering. Call 815-215-7561 today. 

Source: 

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention