Dog bites can range from minor wounds that heal swiftly to disfiguring injuries that can require a number of surgeries. Unfortunately, when children are bitten by dogs the injuries are often serious. If your child is bitten by a dog, take the following steps:
Get Prompt Medical Care
If the dog bite breaks the surface of your child's skin, it is important to see a doctor for medical care. There is a ton of bacteria in a dog's mouth, so a dog bite that is not treated properly can easily get infected. In cases of severe dog bites reconstructive surgery may be necessary to limit long-term scarring.
Contact Animal Control
Aggressive dogs who bite can be a big danger to people, so it is important to contact animal control if your child is bitten by a canine. It doesn't matter if it a friend's dog, a family member's dog, your neighbor's dog, or even your own dog—dog bites should always be reported. This is especially important if your child was bitten by a dog that is a stray or running free through the area—animal control can track down the dog and help prevent other biting incidences.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If your child is bitten by a dog that belongs to someone else, contact a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling dog bite cases to learn more about your options. Laws vary from province to province, but in most cases the owner of a dog is liable for damages if their pet injures a person. Depending on the situation and the severity of the dog bite, you and your child may be entitled to monetary damages to cover medical costs, pain and suffering, and psychological scarring. In most cases, personal injury lawyers who take dog bit cases are paid on contingency, so you do not have to worry about paying them upfront for their services.
Seek Psychological Treatment for Your Child, If Needed
Being attacked and bitten by a dog can be a very traumatic event, especially for a child. Depending on the details of the attack and the severity of the injuries, some children become psychologically scarred by the event. Carefully observe your child in the days and weeks after a dog bite; if he or she shows signs of emotional stress, make an appointment with a child therapist. Getting therapy promptly after a dog bite can help your child overcome the emotional trauma, and let go of fears moving forward.
Share21 January 2015
The laws governing child custody and guardianship can be confusing. As a family attorney, I have helped many clients gain legal guardianship over a foster child or a relative's child. Getting legal guardianship of a child you are caring for is important because you need to be able to make decisions about that child's education, health care and other matters. This blog will help you navigate the world of legal guardianship and show you how to take steps to get guardianship over a child whether the child's parents are cooperative or not. Legal guardianship does matter even if a child is not going to be adopted. I hope to help people find the way to get this done.
