At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, our attorneys offer representation to victims of Louisville dog bites, including children and their families. Our lawyers understand how difficult it can be for a child to face serious and painful facial injuries that can follow them through the rest of their lives. As your child focuses on their recovery, we will help you receive the support that your family needs. Please contact us today for a no-obligation case review to get started.
Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer After My Child Has Been Injured?
In some cases, a child’s dog bite injury consists of minor bruising and may not require the assistance of an attorney. However, there are some circumstances where these injuries are incredibly severe and life-altering. Especially when a dog bite occurred on a child’s face, catastrophic damage could occur.
Help from a lawyer is necessary in many cases with serious injuries and lasting financial devastation due to the fact that insurers may not have your child’s best interests in mind. Our attorneys will safeguard your claim so that your child receives the benefits that are owed to them after a dog bite incident.
Facial Injuries Caused by Louisville Dog Bites
Dog bites can occur anywhere on your body when you are trying to protect yourself from an attack. However, in children, facial injuries are incredibly common due to the fact that children are short in stature. When children are unable to shield themselves from an attack, they could be left vulnerable and a facial injury could happen within seconds.
Facial injuries are so severe in children due to the fact that they tend to lead to permanent scarring and require surgery. Unfortunately, the procedures that follow a dog bite facial injury can be expensive for families. Children who sustain these injuries may have to endure immense physical recovery and psychological injuries due to the trauma of the attack. Children may suffer from any of the following on top of their physical injuries:
- Lowered sense of self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Who is Responsible for My Child’s Dog Bite Injuries?
If your child obtained facial injuries due to a dog bite, you may wonder who can be held accountable for these injuries. In Kentucky, owners of dogs are always “strictly liable” for a dog bite attack. If the attack happened because the dog was not on a leash or left unsupervised, their liability will typically not be questioned.
To hold a dog owner liable for the bite their dog caused, you should take some steps to protect your rights. These include the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention for your child.
- Follow up on any additional care that your child needs.
- Identify any parties who were present at the scene of the accident, including witnesses.
- Report the accident to animal control or the police.
Our attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger will help you determine who is liable for your accident while your child focuses on their recovery. We have the resources necessary to help you back on your feet financially.
What Damages Are Available Following a Dog Bite Attack with Facial Injuries?
Many facial injuries caused by dog bites can cause facial scarring in children. This means that a child could deal with this scarring and disfigurement for the rest of their life. A successfully dog bite injury claim can help your child retain the following damages:
- Medical expenses they have incurred or expect to experience in the future
- Ongoing treatment and therapies
- Lost wages and reduction in earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering damages
- Punitive damages in certain cases
The more extensive the injuries, the more that you can expect to help your child obtain in damages. Because only a parent or guardian is permitted to file a claim on behalf of their child, it is helpful to have an attorney on your side during these difficult times.
Contact a Louisville Dog Bite Lawyer Today for More Information
No child should ever have to deal with the reality of a dog bite attack. Our attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC are here for you if your child has been injured due to a dog bite attack, especially one involving their face. We will help you get started on the recovery process. Please contact us today for a free and no-obligation case review.
