Children are among those most vulnerable to serious injuries when a dog attacks. Because young children may not recognize warning signs or understand how an unfamiliar dog may react, even an interaction that appears harmless can quickly become dangerous.
Here, our Indiana dog bite lawyers discuss the risks children face from canine attacks. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, we understand the serious physical and emotional consequences that can result from a dog bite or other animal attack.
Young children are often naturally curious about animals and may want to approach, pet, or play with a dog. However, children may not understand that even a familiar or normally friendly dog can react unexpectedly when it feels frightened, threatened, startled, or is protecting food, toys, or puppies.
Children are also physically smaller than adults. As a result, a dog bite may cause significant injuries to a child’s face, head, neck, or hands. In some cases, injuries may require emergency medical treatment, stitches, surgery, or reconstructive procedures. Children can also experience emotional trauma following an attack and may develop a lasting fear of dogs.
Indiana attorney Caleb Fleschner of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin emphasizes the risks children face from canine attacks and the importance of taking children’s interactions with dogs seriously:
“Parents should never assume that a dog is safe simply because the animal is familiar or has never bitten anyone before. Children don’t always recognize when a dog is frightened, stressed, or showing warning signs. Teaching children how to safely interact with animals, and closely supervising those interactions, can help reduce the risk of a serious attack.”
Our Indiana dog bite attorneys recommend that parents and guardians take several precautions to reduce the likelihood of a dog bite and reduce the risk of severe harm from an attack. Children should be taught to:
Young children should also be closely supervised whenever they are around dogs. Even a child who has been taught appropriate safety practices may not recognize subtle warning signs from an animal.
If a child is bitten by a dog in Indiana, our lawyers urge parents to seek appropriate medical attention to avoid additional risks after an attack, particularly when the bite is deep, involves the face or head, causes significant bleeding, or shows signs of infection.
Parents should also document the incident as thoroughly as possible. This may include taking photographs of the child’s injuries, identifying the dog and its owner, obtaining contact information for witnesses, and documenting medical treatment and expenses.
A dog bite can result in more than immediate physical injuries. Children may require follow-up medical care, plastic surgery, counseling, or other treatment depending on the severity of the attack.
Indiana law may provide legal remedies for individuals who suffer injuries from dog attacks, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. The facts of each case are important, including where the attack occurred, whether the victim was lawfully present, and other circumstances surrounding the animal’s conduct.
Parents should not assume that they cannot pursue a claim simply because the dog has never bitten anyone before. Now that our Indiana dog bite lawyers have discussed the risks children face from a canine attack, an attorney can review the circumstances of the attack and explain what legal options may be available.
The Personal Injury Lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin represent individuals and families who have suffered injuries in accidents, including dog bite injuries. If your child has been injured in a dog attack, contacting an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and potential options.
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The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
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