Risks of Dog Bites in Children

A Leading Cause of Visits to Pediatric Emergency Departments

Pediatric dog bite injuries are a major concern for the nation’s youngest civilians. In the United States, children represent roughly 36% of all fatalities caused by dog attacks between 2015 and 2019 (age nine and under). Additionally, children under the age of 2 accounted for 26% of all dog bite fatalities from 2005 to 2019. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children between five and nine have the highest rate of nonfatal pediatric dog bite injuries.

These concerning trends paint a worrying picture for dog owners with children at home. Let’s discuss some of the risks children experience from dog bites.

Why Are Children at Higher Risk for Severe Dog Bite Injuries?

Children are far more vulnerable to severe dog attacks for multiple reasons, including:

• Children are less capable of noticing negative body language to prevent dog bites
• Children have less control over their movements around dogs
• A child’s behavior can exasperate dogs
• Children are less able to defend themselves or escape an aggressive dog
• Children’s bodies are more susceptible to damage from dog bites
• Children approach dogs without caution or proper etiquette

Nature of Bite Injuries in Children

Dog bite injuries tend to have a greater impact on young children than they do on adults. The bite wounds and psychological harm can also have lasting effects on a child. Let’s examine some of the most common injuries associated with dog aggression directed at a child.

Severe Wounds to the Head and Neck

Many dog bite studies reveal that the head and neck areas are the most frequent locations of canine bite attacks. Often, children are attempting to nuzzle or play with the dog when they are bitten. Or, the height of the child places their head and neck at the same height as the dog’s mouth. These serious injuries could be fatal to the pediatric population.

Deep Puncture Wounds and High Risk of Infection

Whether a child is attacked by an unfamiliar dog or a family pet, the animal’s teeth can penetrate deep into the victim’s body. The more severe the bite, the more likely the wound is to be exposed to bacteria and diseases, leading to an infection.

A trip to the emergency room may be necessary for treatment to prevent infections.

Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement

Larger breeds are often the most dangerous dogs around children. A devastating attack could leave the child victim with permanent scarring or disfigurement from their injuries.

Even if they receive plastic surgery, the visible effects of the injury may be permanent.

Lasting Psychological Trauma and PTSD

Children who are bitten by dogs are more susceptible to the mental health effects of the attacks. When dog bites occur, the victims may experience psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and even Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Dog Breeds and Aggressive Dog Behavior

Every canine breed is capable of becoming aggressive and biting a child. However, larger, more powerful breeds can inflict more serious damage when they attack. Some breeds that can inflict more serious damage include pit bulls, German shepherds, and rottweilers. Illinois does not have breed-specific laws in place.

Regardless of the species, the owner of the dog is primarily responsible for controlling their pet. When young children are bitten by dogs outside the family, a lawsuit against the dog owner may be possible to recover compensation.

Special Legal Protections for Child Dog Bite Victims

If a lawsuit is filed against the owner and results in a settlement, that money is typically placed in a protected trust or annuity. This way, the compensation is secure to address the child’s future needs, such as ongoing medical care or college expenses.

However, some of the settlements can also be used to cover the child’s current medical expenses.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for an Injured Child?

When a child suffers severe injuries in a dog attack, the family can pursue various legal damages in a civil lawsuit, including:

• Current medical expenses (plastic surgery, emergency medicine, rehabilitation, Rabies shots)
• Future medical attention (therapy, pain management, reconstructive surgeries)
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Makes Us The Best Lawyers for Child Dog Bite Cases?

An experienced dog bite law firm can make all the difference in securing fair compensation and holding the dog owner accountable for the child’s suffering. We offer a compassionate approach and have successfully handled numerous sensitive cases involving injured children.

Our attorneys also have experience fighting for structured settlements where the child receives the full resources they need for a lifetime of physical and emotional recovery.

Our Settlements for Dog Bite Victims in Illinois

As a firm you can trust, we have decades of experience holding negligent owners accountable for dog bites that affect young children.

Here are some past settlements we have secured for these types of cases:

$1,200,000

Two-year-old Ella was mauled by a relative’s Doberman Pinscher while visiting their home. She suffered deep facial lacerations that required surgery and left permanent scarring. The young age of the victim and the lasting disfigurement significantly influenced the settlement.

$375,000

Three-year-old Lucas was attacked by a pit bull while playing in a relative’s yard. He required surgery for deep facial wounds, leaving permanent scarring. The child’s young age and visible disfigurement weighed heavily in the settlement negotiations.

$195,500

Eleven-year-old Aiden was bitten when a neighbor’s dog escaped a fenced yard and charged at him while he played outside. He suffered puncture wounds to his leg that required stitches. The preventable nature of the incident and the child’s age were important factors in the case.

What Parents Must Do After a Dog Bites Their Child

If your child suffers severe injuries from a dog bite, here are the steps you must follow immediately after the attack:

• Seek medical attention immediately – Ensure your child sees a pediatric emergency medicine physician to assess their injuries and determine a treatment plan
• Report the bite to your local Illinois animal control center. This step is crucial to creating an accident report and helping to identify the owner.
• Document everything about the incident – Speak to witnesses, gather owner information, seek surveillance footage, and take pictures of the dog.

You can then contact an experienced personal injury attorney from our firm to discuss your legal options.

Contact Our Illinois Child Injury Lawyers Today

Our Chicago dog bite law firm understands the physical, emotional, and financial challenges families face when children are affected by serious dog bites. Although you can teach children how to behave around dogs to prevent dog bites, these pets are still animals that can lose control of themselves in specific circumstances.

At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis with victims of dog bites to handle the legal logistics of a claim. This means you owe nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your dog bite claim.