According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children between the ages of 5 and 9 are at higher risk for a dog bite injury than the general population. A dog bite is a traumatic and dangerous event for a child, causing emotional trauma, in addition to serious injuries, pain, and disfigurement.

Whether a dog bit your child at the Santa Monica State Beach Park, at a friend’s house, or in your neighborhood, you should take a dog bite injury very seriously due to the risk of infection and crush injuries, which may or may not be visible. Following are some guidelines to help you decide whether to seek out medical attention for your child’s dog bite injury:

  • The dog is unknown – If you are unfamiliar with the dog that attacked your child, you should see a doctor right away. The dog may have rabies or other diseases, which can lead to severe complications.
  • The wound is deep – Deep wounds can do a great deal of damage to bones and surrounding tissue. They also take longer to heal and are more likely to become infected.
  • The bite is in the face – Two-thirds of dog bite injuries in children are in the head or neck area. Seek medical assistance right away for these types of bites, which are more prone to infection and scarring.
  • The bleeding will not stop – Bleeding should stop after ten minutes of direct pressure. If you cannot get the bleeding to stop after applying pressure, seek medical treatment right away.

When it comes to your child, it is better to be safe than sorry and get a dog bite wound checked out by your doctor. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Compassionate, honest, and experienced, the attorneys at Steinberg Injury Lawyers Injury Lawyers may be able to help. Call 800-989-6385 today to schedule a complimentary case evaluation or download a free copy of their book entitled, 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case, for information you can right away.

Peter Steinberg
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Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982