Massachusetts Dog Bite Attorney

Most children are drawn to dogs out of curiosity. But at a young age, children are unable to understand that all dogs are not friendly. As a result, the majority of the 4.7 million dog bites that occur in the U.S. each year are suffered by children age 5 to 9. These children are often bitten on the face, head, and neck, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After a dog bites a child, taking action can be critical to the child’s well-being and recovery. Make sure that you:

• Get the child away from the dog.
• Apply a clean towel to stop the bleeding.
• Call 911 if the bite is serious and requires immediate medical attention.
• Even if you believe that the bite is not serious, take the child to have the bite examined by a doctor.
• Get the name and address of the dog owner and any witnesses to the incident. If possible, get a picture of the dog with your cellphone.
• Report the dog bite to local police or animal control as they will need to contact the owner about the issue.

Also, be sure to constantly check your child for signs of:

• Infection. Early signs of infection can include tenderness and swelling, red streaks near the bite area, fever or chills, oozing from the wound, or loss of sensation around the wound. Seek medical treatment immediately if any of the symptoms present or you believe that your child is experiencing other issues that could be related to the bite.
• Emotional trauma. This can include fear of all dogs or nightmares. Talking to your child about the incident and ways to prevent a future bite can be very helpful. Giving your child a plan of action can be empowering. If the issues persist, you may need to seek assistance from a counselor.
• Scarring. As most children are bitten on the face, head, or neck, these scars can not only be a reminder of the trauma but also a reason for your child to become self-conscious. Children can be teased or bullied for differences in their appearance. Your child’s doctor can provide more information about how and when to consider corrective measures to eliminate visible scars.

If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog, you may be facing extensive medical costs for plastic and reconstructive surgeries, physical therapy, permanent injury or handicap, psychiatric counseling, and more. You may also have to miss a significant amount of work which will cause you significant financial hardship. And, a severe bite to the hand resulting in nerve damage may cause you to give up your vocation or hinder your ability to enjoy life (play the guitar, sew, play tennis, etc.). All of these potential damages deserve compensation from the dog’s owner and their insurance company.