Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Dog Bite Injuries a Serious Problem Among Children
Dog bites are a serious health problem for children.
According to the most recent report on children’s injuries by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, there is a high incidence of dog bites among children in the United States, mostly between ages 4-9.
Young children are small and tend to get their faces close to dogs, which results in common dog bite injuries to the face and neck.
Fortunately, dog bites are rarely fatal, but the high incidence of dog bites is worrisome and can result in serious injuries.
Dog bites are the second leading cause of injuries to children ages 0-17.
According to the data collected, most of the injuries to children occurred when they were playing with or near the dog, while the second highest number of incidents involved passing by or walking the dog.
Preventing Dog Bite Injuries to Children
Children can be taught how to behave when they are around dogs so they don’t unwittingly provoke an attack. Parents should teach their children these dog safety tips:
- Do not approach dogs when they are eating
- Do not try to stop a dog fight
- Let a dog sniff you to get used to you before you try to pet it
- Don’t run away from a dog because it will chase you
- Stay calm around dogs, don’t be loud or move suddenly
- Don’t try to hug or kiss a dog
- Don’t look directly in the dog’s eyes, they see it as aggression
- If attacked, tell the child to stand still and protect their neck and face
Pet owners should also be alert when their dog is around children and make sure the encounter is safe and friendly.
Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Get the Rightful Compensation For Your Child’s Injuries
If you child was attacked by a dog and has suffered injuries, you may be able to hold the dog owner responsible for your child’s injuries and emotional trauma.
When in doubt, consult with a personal injury attorney in your area.
If you are looking for personal injury attorneys in Boston, be sure to ask them questions, like:
- How long have you been practicing in Massachusetts?
- What is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained for child injury victims?
- Do you have experience representing children with dog bite injuries?
Attorney Tom Kiley has a 30+ year record of successfully representing children in personal injury cases and winning million-dollar settlements on their behalf.
The Kiley Law Group, located in Boston and Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent basis, so there are NO FEES unless our trained Massachusetts personal injury lawyers win your case.
Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case 1-888-208-1695.
