Steps To Take After Your Child Is Attacked By A Neighbor's Dog

Law Blog

While most dogs are friendly and loving, it is possible for some dogs to bite humans unprovoked. A dog bite or attack can be very harmful, both physically and psychologically. If your child is attacked by a dog that belongs to one of your neighbors, it is important to respond appropriately. Take the following steps after your child is bitten by a dog:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If your child is bleeding, use a clean towel to apply pressure to the bite wound. Depending on the severity of the attack, immediately visit an emergency room, urgent care clinic, or your family's primary care physician. Dogs have a number of germs in their mouths, and a dog bite wound can quickly become infected. Even if you don't think that the bite is that bad, it is still very important for your child to see a doctor.

Report the Bite

Contact your local animal control authorities to report the dog bite. Animal control should be able to tell you if the dog in question is up to date on vaccines, particularly its rabies vaccinations. If the dog does not have current proof of a rabies vaccination on file, your child may need additional medical attention to prevent rabies. Animal control will visit your neighbor's home and follow established protocol to determine what to do with the dog that attacked your child.

Consider Therapy

Being attacked by a dog can be very traumatic, especially for a child. After attending to your child's physical injuries, consider getting a referral to a pediatric therapist for your child to talk to. Starting therapy soon after a dog attack can help minimizing long-term psychological trauma and make your child feel more comfortable in the aftermath of the dog attack.

Contact a Lawyer

Medical care and therapy for your child can be expensive, and you should not have to pay for it out of pocket when someone else's dog attacks your child. A personal injury lawyer who is experienced in dog attack cases can help ensure that you receive the financial settlement that you deserve. Don't be afraid about putting your neighbor in an uncomfortable position financially-- homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of any claims made after a dog attack.

Provide your lawyer with any evidence that you have, such as photos of your child's injuries, medical records, and any medical or therapy bills that you have received. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to recover a fair settlement. For more information, you can check sites like http://www.laytonsouthardlaw.net/.

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19 June 2017