The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan represents both parents and children that have been injured in dog bite incidents in San Francisco. Every part of your child’s body is vulnerable to injuries in a dog bite, but none more than their hands. Not surprisingly, this can have a long-term impact on their health and well-being. To learn more about your family’s legal options, contact us today for a free consultation.

When Should You Hire a Lawyer?

Like any other type of injury claim, you don’t technically need a lawyer when your child gets bitten by a dog. With that said, it’s sometimes more difficult when your child is the one that gets hurt in an accident. Our dog bite lawyers understand this, and can help both you and your child understand the legal options in place and what needs to be done to put together a claim.

Every case is different, but remember, it’s not just about what we can do for you. While we can guide you through the process, it’s extremely important that you take certain steps after the bite happens to protect your child’s health–and legal options.

How Can You Protect Your Child After a Dog Bite?

Protecting your child in a dog bite situation can leave you feeling very helpless. Even if you teach your child the proper way to interact with a dog, a bite can happen at any time. Unfortunately, this often leads to hand injuries when your child tries to defend themselves or fend off the dog. Typical hand injuries can include:

• Broken bones – Dog bites can cause fractures or breaks in the bones of the hand, including those in the palm and fingers.
  
  
• Crushing injuries – Some bites may lead to crush injuries, damaging bones, tissues, and blood vessels in the hand.
  
  
• Soft tissue damage – These can involve lacerations, puncture wounds, and tears in the skin, muscles, tendons, or ligaments of the hand.
  
  
• Tendon damage – Severe bites can damage tendons, leading to difficulty moving the fingers or hand.
  
  
• Nerve damage – Injuries to nerves in the hand can result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation and function if the bite is deep enough or at the right angle.
  
  
• Infections – Dog bites carry the risk of bacterial infections like cellulitis or osteomyelitis, affecting the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the hand.
  
  
• Scarring – Some bite marks will be so deep or serious that they leave scars or other disfigurement.
  
  

Protecting your child

Part of the helplessness you feel when your child gets bitten by a dog comes from the fact that you don’t want anything bad to happen to them. This can be especially troubling when there’s a dog bite, because it can happen without warning. Still, when it does happen, you need to help your child as best you can. Here’s a few things to do:

• Get them to safety – Immediately remove your child from the vicinity of the dog. Check for injuries and try to remain calm. Once safe, attend to any wounds.
  
  
• Seek medical care – If the injuries are severe, call 911 for an ambulance. Even for minor injuries, take your child to the ER or urgent care to address any potential complications.
  
  
• Document what happened – Note where the bite occurred, the dog’s owner, and breed. Take photos of your child’s injuries for documentation. If the incident happened in a public place, notify the relevant agency, such as the city’s parks department.
  
  
• Report to SF Animal Care and Control – Inform San Francisco Animal Care and Control or the SFPD about the bite. They will investigate the incident and provide information on the dog’s owner and vaccination status to ensure the safety of others.
  
  

Obviously, these steps won’t stop a dog bite from happening. Still, they’re very important in nailing down the relevant details you’ll need for a claim. More than that, though, it will take care of any immediate health and safety concerns you have for your child.

What Damages Are Available in a Claim?

When your child is injured in a dog bite, regardless of where or how it happens, they have the same rights as any other injury victim under California law. This means, effectively, that they can enter the claims process–with you or another person over the age of 18 acting on their behalf. This doesn’t change the legal process, as it’s still going to involve filing an injury claim for damages, either by insurance or through the court system with a lawsuit.

Regarding damages for injuries resulting from a dog bite, your child could potentially recover the following:

• Medical expenses, including future care needs
• Surgeries, medical devices, and ongoing treatment costs
• Lost wages or potential earnings
• Financial consideration for any permanent injuries
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
• Costs relating to scarring or disfigurement
  
  

Like any other claim, what your child is able to recover is going to depend on the circumstances of what happened and the extent of their injuries. It’s a bit different when a child is involved, because the damages will have to be extrapolated since your child’s body is still developing.

Also, their statute of limitations won’t kick in until they turn 18. At that point, though, they have the same two year window to file their claim. In the vast majority of cases, though, you’ll want to start this process as soon as possible.

Liability

Another thing that doesn’t change is who’s responsible for your child’s damages. Like any other dog bite claim, legal responsibility is going to lie with:

• The dog’s owner, thanks to California’s “strict liability” law.
  
  

While the dog’s owner will have primary liability for your child’s injuries, there are a few other circumstances that could bring someone else into play. Most of the time, this revolves around where the bite happened, like a:

• Store or business
• Public park or dog park
• Landlord or apartment manager
• School
  
  

While California’s strict liability simplifies dog bite claims, each case is unique, and outcomes aren’t guaranteed. With our experienced San Francisco dog bite lawyers on your side, we strive to strengthen your child’s case and maximize your child’s chances of success.

Standing by Your Side After Your Child Gets Bitten by a Dog

Nobody wants to be in a situation where their child is hurt, regardless of the circumstances. This can be even worse when there’s a dog bite situation, particularly if it results in a hand injury. At MJQ Law, we’ll be there to stand by your family’s side. We’ll explain the process and guide you through it with patience and skill. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.