What to Do If Your Child is Bitten by a Dog in California

Any dog bite is a preventable tragedy, but when a child is victimized, the fallout can be even more devastating. Children are often left with a lifelong fear of dogs, disfiguring injuries, and minimal understanding of what happened to them. The Southern California personal injury attorneys at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP help victims throughout the Golden State demand justice.

When you choose DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP for your dog bite claim, know that you have an experienced and committed team on your side. We’re located just steps from One Colorado shopping mall and Memorial Park at 25 Union Street in Pasadena. To set up a consultation with our team and find out how we can help with your dog bite case, call our personal injury law firm at 855-WINNING (946-6464).

Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

What you do in the immediate aftermath of a dog bite can have a huge impact on your child’s health, mental well-being, and recovery. It can also determine whether or not you are able to recover compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney. We recommend:

Getting the child away from the dog: A dog that has bitten once is more than capable of doing so again. Get your child to safety immediately and ensure that they are out of reach of the dog.
Checking the wound carefully: Check the wound to see how deep it is, if there’s any exposed bone or soft tissue, and if it has jagged or clean edges.
Cleaning the wound: Clean the wound promptly with soap and water. Dogs’ mouths harbor all sorts of bacteria that we have no immunity to, and the quicker you clean the wound, the more well-protected your child is from infection.
Remembering everything you can about the dog: Make a mental note of the dog’s size, breed, color, and any unusual markings. Try to remember the color and pattern of their collar, as well as anything you can recall about the owner. Once your child is safe and cared for, write down everything for use by your personal injury lawyer.
Getting the dog owner’s contact information: You should get the dog owner’s name, phone number, and insurance information.
Seeking medical care: Even if the bite appears superficial, dog bites can quickly become infected and lead to serious medical issues. A prompt checkup is essential.

Report the Dog Bite to the Proper Authorities

In California, you should report a dog bite to the local animal control office. In Southern California, these offices are generally run at a city level or county level, depending on population. Reporting the bite makes it easier for you to seek compensation if possible. It also provides you information on whether or not the dog has bitten before and whether or not it is up-to-date on vaccinations.

Review California Dog Bite Laws

California’s dog bite laws are fairly straightforward. Dog owners are liable for any damage their dog causes when someone is in a public place or lawfully in a private place. Those who are lawfully in private places include mail personnel, delivery people, visitors, and maintenance personnel. Victims of dog bites have the legal right to seek compensation from the dog owner. If a dog bites a human being on two separate occasions, the law allows victims, other third parties, the city attorney, or the district attorney to seek legal action against the owner. The owner must be able to prove that they have changed the dog’s confinement or treatment in a way that eliminates the potential for subsequent bites.

Explore Your Legal Options

Once your child has been checked out by a medical professional and the immediate danger has passed, it’s time to talk to a personal injury law firm that can help you hold the negligent owner accountable. You may be able to recover compensation for your child’s medical expenses, mental trauma, disfiguring injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses. However, you will need to be able to identify and track down the dog owner to do so—furthermore, you must be able to prove the role their negligence played in your child’s injuries. That’s where a personal injury attorney is helpful.

Reach Out to DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP Today

Ready to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer? The team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP is here for you. Set up a consultation now by contacting us online or calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464).