My Child Was Bitten By A Dog: What Should I Do?

• February 23, 2015
• Dog Bite Law
• Dog Bites
• Personal Injury

More than half of all dog bite victims are children. This is an incredibly high number considering about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and Michigan was ranked as the sixth highest nationally for dog bite claims.

At the law firm of Goodman Acker, our Michigan dog bite attorneys are actively accepting cases on behalf of parents and guardians whose children have suffered serious injuries after being attacked and bitten by a dog. Our lawyers have over 30 years of experience helping families file claims on behalf of their children and have a complete understanding of the Michigan laws that govern attacks. If you believe you have a claim, call our office today at (248) 286-8100.

What To Do If Your Child Was Attacked By A Dog

First and foremost, if your child was bitten by a dog, obtain medical attention immediately. However, not only should you obtain medical attention for your child’s physical injuries, but ensure that your child is assessed for emotional stress and obtains a referral for counseling if required.

You will also want to report the attack to your:

1. Local health department to determine if the dog was vaccinated or not. Never take the dog owner’s word for it.


2. Local Animal Services or Animal Control Officer so that a record may be established of the dog attack. This is highly important because the local animal services or control officer should be able to determine if this was a first time attack for the dog. Therefore, if the dog attacks again further action may be taken and if it was not a first time attack, action can be taken immediately.


3. Local Police Department so there is record of the incident should you decide to pursue a claim on your child’s behalf.

At the law firm of Goodman Acker, our Michigan dog bite lawyers also recommend not discussing your child’s injuries or medical treatment with the dog owner. The only thing that you should exchange with the dog owner is contact information and dog license number.

In addition, our attorneys also recommend that you document the incident AND treatment with photos. Photos are the best way to demonstrate to the insurance adjuster or jury how seriously your child’s injuries are and what kind of treatment they had to undergo. For example, photos taken immediately after the dog bite injury but photos also taken after treatment has been provided and/or after any plastic surgery.

Common Dog Bite Injuries To Children

Serious injuries can result to children attacked by a canine. Among children, the rate of dog bite injuries is highest from those ages 5 to 9 years. In addition, a child bitten by a dog is more likely than an adult to receive medical treatment for their injuries. Some of the most serious injuries include:

• Scarring


• Disfigurement


• Nerve Damage


• Psychological Damages

In addition, the most common area for an animal to bite a child is in the facial region. When this happens, the child may require plastic surgery or other forms of treatment. No matter what injuries resulted from the attack parents should call an experienced attorney to discuss their case. Compensation may be available not only for your child’s pain and suffering but also payment for the treatment or medical attention required to help heal your child’s injuries.

Contact Our Michigan Dog Bite Lawyers For Help

At the law firm of Goodman Acker, our Michigan dog bite lawyers have significant experience representing children who have suffered serious injuries from an attack. If your child has recently become a victim, call our office today to get your questions answered and discover what rights you and your family may be entitled to. There is no obligation to call and get your questions answered – we offer afree, no obligation consultation and we are happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as walk you through the process of filing a claim.

We understand this is a very traumatic time for you and your child and you may not know what to do. Our lawyers are here to help. Call today at (248) 286-8100. Best of all, should you decide to pursue a claim we represent our clients on a trusted no-fee promise, meaning there are no fees or costs whatsoever until we settle or win your claim. Call now and let us help you and your child get the justice and compensation you deserve.