Children under Five Are at Risk for Dog Bite Injuries, but Help Is Available
There is nothing more terrifying than watching as your child is attacked or bitten by a dog in Orange County—and with good reason. Children are the most common victims of fatal dog bites in the United States, and dog bite wounds that might be mild in an adult can cause serious or long-lasting injuries in smaller children. If your young child has been bitten by a dog in Orange County, an experienced Orange County dog bite lawyer can answer your questions and provide guidance on how to proceed. In the meantime, here is some information that may be helpful to you.
The Additional Risks of Injury in Very Young Children
Don’t wait to seek medical attention for your child. Children, especially those under the age of five, can be at great risk in a dog attack because of their small size. For example, young children can be easily overpowered or knocked down by even smaller dog breeds, and the bite wound itself can be much more serious than it might have been in an adult because of the increased body area it covers. Because young children often aren’t much taller than the dog, a child’s head, face, and neck are much more vulnerable in an attack. Additionally, young children rarely expect a dog to bite and may be surprised or react unpredictably, causing further injury.
Children and California Dog Bite Law
If your child is bitten by a dog in Orange County and receives a wound that requires medical attention, you may be able to pursue compensation for your child’s medical care, pain and suffering, and more. In California, the owner of the dog can be held responsible for your child’s injuries even if the dog has never attacked anyone before. Additionally, by law, a child under the age of five cannot be held responsible for failing to act with reasonable care toward a dog.
If your child has been bitten by a dog in Orange County, you may be facing complicated questions and choices. Whether or not you ultimately choose to pursue a claim, an experienced Orange County dog bite lawyer at Russell & Lazarus can help. Reach out to us at (949) 851-0222 for a free consultation with an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney.