Why Children are More At-Risk for Dog Bites than Adults

At Donaldson Law, LLC, our personal injury attorneys in Denver know that dog bites can cause serious injuries and even death, especially during a sustained attack.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, dog bites are the second most frequent cause of emergency room visits in children, as they are more likely than adults to need medical attention after a bite occurs, as their injuries are often much more severe.

Because of a child’s size, and inability to understand an animal’s temperament or level of distress, kids account for over 51% of all dog bites that occur in the U.S., according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

If your child was bitten by a dog in Colorado, it is important to seek medical care right away and follow all physician’s orders before learning more about your legal rights and options to hold the dog’s owner liable for their injuries.

Why Are Dog Bite Injuries So Severe in Children?

While all dog bite injuries are different, a child’s small stature and inability to defend themselves or escape the situation can lead to a sustained attack that leaves them severely injured.

When a child is bitten by a dog, the impact typically occurs to the head, neck, and face, which can cause significant injuries that require complex medical care and treatment to ensure scarring and disfigurement are not permanent factors.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites last year throughout the country.

When extended medical care is required, the expense and emotional trauma can be overwhelming for both the child and parents. We can help provide answers that allow our clients to make informed decisions about pursuing the dog’s owner for financial recovery.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Child is Bitten By a Dog in Colorado?

Our Colorado dog bite law states that anyone who suffers from serious bodily injury or death after receiving a dog bite while lawfully on private or public property is entitled to sue the dog owner for economic damages.

That is true regardless of whether the dog was vicious or a dangerous dog breed, or whether the dog owner knew or had knowledge of the dog’s dangerous or vicious propensities.

Typically in over 75% of all dog bite cases in the U.S., the victim is bitten by a family or friend’s pet, which makes children even more vulnerable when visiting relatives who own a dog.

It also makes the idea of pursuing a friend or family member for damages an uncomfortable and potentially relationship damaging scenario.

We can help. Our experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Denver may pursue the dog owner’s insurance coverage directly for your damages, removing the personal connection from the legal process to pursue tangible results.

Contact Our Experienced Denver Dog Bite Attorneys at Donaldson Law for a Free Case Assessment Today

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog in Colorado, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers in Denver at Donaldson Law, LLC by calling (303) 458-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free confidential consultation to discuss your case.