California dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that their dogs do not bite children. In many dog bite cases, the child does not provoke the dog in any way but makes an innocent action, like trying to pet the dog, and the dog feels threatened. Dog bites can have long-lasting consequences for children, including severe physical wounds and emotional distress.
If your child was bitten by a dog in California, contact personal injury attorney Woods Williford at (888) 340-2440.
Strict Liability in California
California Civil Code section 3342(a) applies strict liability to dog owners, which means that the dog owner is civilly liable if his or her dog bites someone. It does not matter if the dog showed no prior signs of aggression or inclination to bite. If the bite occurs in a public area, or if the victim was legally in a private place, the dog owner is liable.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause serious physical injuries in children. These include:
- puncture wounds,
- lacerations,
- ligament tears,
- bone fractures, or
- the loss of fingers or toes.
Puncture wounds can become infected, or your child may contract an infectious disease, e.g., rabies, from an unvaccinated dog.
Dog bite wounds are especially dangerous when the dog bites a child in the head. If the dog's teeth come into contact with your child's eye, your child could suffer permanent vision loss. Facial injuries may require extensive plastic surgery to correct.
Any dog can bite a child, but some breeds are statistically more likely to cause severe injuries or deaths. In California, these breeds are:
- Pit Bulls,
- Siberian Huskies,
- Alaskan Malamutes,
- Rottweilers,
- German Shepherds, and
- Doberman Pincers.
Steps to Take in California after Your Child is Bitten by a Dog
If your child is bitten by a dog, first seek medical attention. If the wound is superficial, wash with soap and water, apply hydrogen peroxide and a topical antibiotic, and cover with a bandage. Apply direct pressure to puncture wounds to stop the bleeding, then rinse under running water for five minutes. Call an ambulance if the wound is serious or if the wound is on your child's neck or face.
If the dog owner is present, get his or her name and contact information. Request proof of rabies vaccination or get the veterinarian's name and check vaccination records.
For at-large dogs, contact animal control immediately so it can contain the dog. Dogs that are aggressive, appear partially paralyzed, or otherwise act strangely may be rabid. Your child will need to start rabies vaccinations immediately.
Contact a dog bite attorney at Woods Williford, P.C., as soon after the bite incident as possible. Your attorney can handle settlement negotiations with the dog's owner or an insurance company so you can focus on helping your child heal.
Contact a California Child Dog Bite Attorney
If your child was bitten by a dog in California, contact an experienced child injury lawyer at Woods Williford, P.C. Our compassionate, experienced legal team will fight for just compensation for your child's dog bite injuries.
Call us today at (888) 340-2440 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.