If your child was bitten by a dog in New York, you need a lawyer who handles dog bite cases involving children. Consider this:
- Children are the most frequent victims of serious dog attacks.
- Bites to the face, head, and neck are common and can cause permanent scarring.
- New York law holds dog owners liable when their animal has shown prior dangerous behavior.
- Insurance companies will move fast to settle for less than your child deserves.
A child dog bite injury lawyer makes sure that does not happen, and fights for the full compensation your family is owed. Let’s discuss what else you should know.
Dog Bite Cases Involving Children in New York
Children are uniquely vulnerable to dog attacks. Because of their small size, they’re also more likely to suffer bites to the areas most associated with disfigurement, nerve damage, and long-term scarring. In other words, a dog bite that causes a minor wound on an adult can be catastrophic for a child.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), children between the ages of five and nine are at the highest risk of dog bite injuries, and more than half of all dog bite injuries in children occur to the head and neck. Many of these attacks involve animals known to the child, but familiarity doesn’t reduce the risk or legal liability.
New York follows a specific legal standard for dog-bite liability. A dog owner can be held liable for medical costs if their dog has previously shown a propensity for dangerous behavior. In some cases, additional negligence claims can be pursued to recover damages beyond medical expenses, including pain and suffering.
Navigating this legal framework requires a child dog-bite injury lawyer who understands how New York courts handle such cases.
What to Do If a Dog Bites Your Child
If a dog bites your child, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can have a direct impact on the outcome of any legal claim. Here is what to do:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries appear minor
- Report the attack to local animal control and get a copy of the report
- Photograph your child’s injuries and continue documenting as they heal
- Get the dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information
- Identify any witnesses and collect their contact details
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer
Taking these steps protects your child’s health and preserves the evidence your attorney will need to build a strong case. Contact Sullivan and Sullivan child dog bite injury lawyers to learn more.
Sullivan & Sullivan Child Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Can Help
The window to build a strong case is shorter than most families realize, and every day without legal representation is a day the insurance company has the advantage. Here’s how Sullivan and Sullivan personal injury lawyers can help.
We Handle Everything So You Can Focus on Your Child
Sullivan and Sullivan gather animal control reports, secure surveillance footage, document injuries, identify witnesses, and handle the insurance company on your behalf. You’ll never have to take a call from an adjuster, sign anything you do not understand, or navigate the legal process alone.
Your only job is to be there for your child. Ours is to fight for your family.
The Insurance Company Has a Team, and You Do Too
Insurance companies move fast for a reason. The sooner they can get you to accept a settlement, the less they pay. Their adjusters are trained to minimize claims, and they know most families do not have legal representation in the early days after an incident.
But when the insurance company knows who’s on your side, the conversation changes.
No Fees Unless We Win
There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no financial risk to your family. You get aggressive, experienced legal representation regardless of your situation. And if we don’t recover compensation for your child, you don’t pay. Contact our team to learn more.
