What Should I Do If My Child Was Bitten by a Dog in Pennsylvania?
Dog Bite Lawyer | Sklarosky Law
Few experiences are more frightening for a parent than seeing their child injured in a dog attack. Dog bites involving children often result in serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and permanent scarring that can affect a child for years.
If your child has been bitten by a dog in Pennsylvania, it is important to understand your legal rights and the steps you should take to protect your child's health and any potential legal claim.
Why Are Children More Likely to Suffer Serious Dog Bite Injuries?
Children are among the most common victims of serious dog attacks. Because of their size and height, they are more likely to suffer injuries to the:
- Face
- Head
- Neck
- Hands
- Arms
These injuries may require emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery, or ongoing medical care. In some cases, children are left with permanent scars or nerve damage that can have lifelong consequences.
Learn more about common injuries sustained in dog attacks
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Your child's health should always be your first priority.
Even if the wound appears minor, dog bites can cause:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Damage to muscles or tendons
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring
Prompt medical treatment also creates documentation that may become important if an insurance claim is later pursued.
Report the Dog Bite
After obtaining medical care, the incident should generally be reported to the appropriate local authority, such as animal control or law enforcement.
Reporting the attack can help:
- Document what happened
- Identify the dog and its owner
- Confirm vaccination information
- Create an official record of the incident
Photograph the Injuries
Take clear photographs:
- Immediately after the attack
- During the healing process
- After the wound has healed
Dog bite scars often change over time. Continuing to document your child's injuries can help show the long-term effects of the attack.
Keep Every Medical Record
Save copies of:
- Emergency room records
- Pediatric treatment records
- Plastic surgery consultations
- Therapy or counseling records
- Medical bills
- Prescription receipts
These records help document the extent of your child's injuries and treatment.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?
In many cases, the dog owner's homeowners insurance policy may provide liability coverage for injuries caused by a dog.
Coverage depends upon the specific insurance policy, applicable exclusions, and the facts surrounding the incident.
An experienced dog bite attorney can investigate available insurance coverage and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Every case is unique, but compensation may include damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery
- Counseling or psychological treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring
- Emotional distress
- Future impairment or disability
Because children often continue to grow after an injury, the long-term impact of facial scars or nerve damage may not be immediately apparent.
Should I Speak With the Insurance Company?
Insurance companies often contact families shortly after a dog bite.
Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer, it is important to understand your legal rights.
An attorney can help:
- Investigate the attack
- Preserve evidence
- Review insurance coverage
- Gather medical records
- Evaluate the long-term impact of your child's injuries
- Negotiate with the insurance company
Why Legal Representation Matters in Child Dog Bite Cases
Children who suffer dog bites often experience injuries that continue to affect them as they grow. Permanent scarring, changes in appearance, and emotional trauma may not be fully understood until months or even years after the attack.
An experienced attorney can help ensure that these long-term considerations are evaluated before any claim is resolved.
Contact Sklarosky Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, Sklarosky Law is here to help.
We proudly represent dog bite victims in the following counties:
You may have the right to compensation—but acting quickly matters. Evidence can disappear, and deadlines apply. At Sklarosky Law, we offer free consultations and handle dog bite cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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