Children and Dog Bites: Special Legal Considerations
Over 4.5 million people suffer dog bites every year. Children are particularly susceptible to these attacks — and also more likely to be severely harmed. Due to their smaller size and limited ability to defend themselves, children can sustain life-threatening injuries and catastrophic disfigurement after a dog attack.
Did someone else’s dog bite and injure your child in Arizona? You deserve justice and accountability for what your family endured. At Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC we can determine liability and demand compensation for your child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. Our lawyer for dog bites will assist through every stage of the legal process so you can focus on getting your child the treatment they need. Contact us today for a free consultation*.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Arizona
Arizona is a strict liability state for dog bite injuries. If a dog bites your child on public or private property (including the owner’s property), the dog owner must pay for any injuries the dog caused, “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness,” unless the owner can show the dog was provoked.
The facts and circumstances of a dog attack may also warrant a negligence claim. For example, you may be entitled to file an additional claim for negligence if the owner’s friend was supervising the dog when it attacked your child. A skilled and knowledgeable Arizona dog bite lawyer will thoroughly investigate the case so you can bring a strong personal injury claim on behalf of your child. We will gather the necessary evidence to build a robust case for maximum compensation.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
A dog’s size and strength can quickly overpower a small child, causing injuries like:
- Puncture wounds
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Facial and eye injuries
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Muscle and ligament injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Infection
- Death
A dog bite can also cause severe emotional harm regardless of age, but the trauma can be much worse for a child. An experienced dog bite attorney can fully assess your child’s physical injuries and the mental distress they have suffered. By evaluating the full scope of their losses, your attorney can fight for maximum compensation, so your child has the resources they need for ongoing medical and psychological care.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Dog Bites?
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, an average of 337,103 emergency department visits occur in the U.S. each year due to dog bites. Young children have a higher incidence of dog bites to the head and neck, while older children suffer more injuries to the extremities. Most dog attacks happen at home in the summer and on weekends.
Younger children are particularly prone to head and neck wounds because their small size often puts their face at the dog’s mouth or eye level. Bites in these regions can cause catastrophic or even fatal harm. Depending on the dog’s size and level of agitation, children may also struggle to defend themselves or “fight off” the dog. Their smaller limbs and hands make it easier for a dog to bite and latch on, potentially causing severe trauma to a child’s hands, arms, and legs.
Furthermore, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that most young children are bitten by dogs they know. A family pet, regardless of size or breed, can bite under the wrong circumstances.
Seeking medical attention immediately after a dog bite is crucial. Aside from obvious physical injuries, an unvaccinated dog could carry infectious diseases, like rabies, which require specialized preventative treatment.
Where Do Dog Bites Happen?
A dog bite can happen anywhere and without warning. Despite a dog owner’s assurances that their dog is gentle and likes kids, no dog is immune from potentially attacking. It could happen at home if the dog feels threatened or if a child plays in a neighbor’s yard and their dog gets territorial.
Dog bites may occur on public property, too. Bites may happen if the dog’s owner fails to keep it on a leash or control it at the park. In any of these cases, victims could be entitled to hold the owner accountable for the harm they suffer.
One potential exception to liability for a dog bite in Arizona is if the child trespassed on the dog owner’s property.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
The amount of money you could recover on behalf of your child after a dog attack depends on various factors, but primarily the severity of the injuries and the related financial and long-term losses. Typically, a dog bite claim could include money for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological and psychiatric treatment
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Contacting a dog bite attorney as soon as possible after an attack is essential. The deadlines are short to file dog bite claims in Arizona. The strict liability statute of limitations gives you just one year from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. The limitations period extends to two years for negligence claims. Dog bite lawyers need time to investigate and gather evidence to craft a compelling claim. It’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so they have ample time to prepare your dog bite case.
An additional complication in dog bite cases is that quite often the attacking dog belongs to a family member or friend. The idea of taking legal action can feel uncomfortable or even like a betrayal. When you hire an attorney, they can be the person who communicates with the owner’s homeowners’ insurance company. Additionally, your lawyer can communicate with your friend or relative as required, helping to keep you out of any dispute and preserving your relationship. And remember, your claim is most likely against the insurance company, not your loved one.
With a strong legal advocate in your corner from the start, you can focus on helping your child on their road to recovery.
Call a Dog Bite Lawyer at Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC Today
The dog bite attorneys at Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC are dedicated to helping young victims and their families recover in the aftermath of a dog attack. We have the skills and knowledge to handle your child’s dog bite injury case effectively and with the compassion you need during this challenging time.
Our law firm serves clients in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Peoria, Chandler, and Tucson. Call or contact us today for a free case review.