The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are nearly 5 million dog attack cases in the United States each year. Sadly, a large percentage of dog attack cases involve young children. While young children and dogs can develop a lifelong relationship, dogs are still a significant threat to the safety of children. When a dog bites a child, the injury that the child may sustain can quickly transform a positive connection into fear, pain and suffering.
While children of all ages are susceptible to dog attacks, statistics show that children aged 5 to 9 are most likely to be bitten or attacked by a dog. Statistics also suggest that boys are more susceptible to dog attack compared to girls, and that children more at risk for deadly injuries on the head and neck due to dog bites are children of 4 years and below.
A dog bite can quickly lead to an emergency situation for small children, especially since dogs commonly go for their neck, face and head during an attack. Children bitten by dogs usually suffer from bleeding, facial injuries, fractures, and deep wounds that can further lead to infection, scarring, post-traumatic stress disorder, lifelong dog-associated phobias, and even death.
If your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog, it’s extremely important to seek immediate medical care. The injuries resulting from dog bites often result in costly medical bills and long-term therapy. Filing a personal injury claim against the owner of the dog or any other potentially liable parties allows you to receive compensation on behalf of the victim. The compensation can help cover the cost of the victim’s medical and hospital bills, pain and suffering, emotional counseling, and other dog-bite related costs.
When a child in the family has been seriously injured by a dog bite, your family is most likely having a hard time both emotionally and financially. The situation can be made worse when an insurance company or other negligent party offers a settlement that’s far below the child’s medical and rehabilitation costs.
If your child has been attacked or bitten by a dog anywhere in New Jersey and sustains serious injuries, it’s important to seek legal representation from an experienced New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer who can look out for the best interests of your family. Scott Grossman has successfully represented many injured clients in central and northern New Jersey on a contingency basis for over 10 years. Contact The Grossman Law Firm today at (732) 625-9494.