What if my Child was Bitten by my Neighbor’s Dog?

Many young children love animals, and get very excited when they see a dog walking on the sidewalk. A child who is happy to see a dog may approach the animal to pet it. Even if a dog is familiar with a child, they can become easily spooked, feel threatened, and lash out. When this happens, severe injuries can result.

A bite from any dog can cause infection, and injuries such as broken bones and lacerations. Children are especially vulnerable to developing severe injuries when bitten by a dog.

Dog Bite Liability

In New Jersey and many other states, recovering compensation in relation to a dog bite case does not require proof of negligence. A plaintiff often just needs to demonstrate that the attack occurred unprovoked.

In the case of a child who was attacked by a dog, establishing that the dog was unprovoked is usually not difficult: Although children may approach a dog quickly and scare the animal, they do not intend to frighten the dog or provoke them in any way.

Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury

The parents of a child who was bitten by a dog can recover compensation for medical bills and any other expenses that arise as a result of their child’s injuries. A child who is attacked by a dog may require surgery, medication, long-term rehabilitation, and potentially therapy to manage the emotional impact of the incident. As a parent, you can file a lawsuit on the behalf of their child and receive finances to cover these costs of treatment — Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. can help.

Our attorneys represent people who have been injured by a bite from a dog. Our team is well-versed in the legalities of animal attacks, and is prepared to use our knowledge to help you.