As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your child safe from harm. Should someone else’s dog bite them, you can feel a whole host of emotions, from fear to anger to guilt. The most important thing to do is to keep calm and figure out a plan. From seeking medical attention to consulting with a lawyer who is experienced in claims arising from dog bite injuries, these steps will be crucial for you to follow.
Get Medical Attention
Before you think of anything else, you should make sure that your child receives the proper medical attention. If you have a first aid kit, you’ll want to make use of it. Use a cloth with soap and water to clean up the wound. Use a quality cream or lotion to prevent infection and make sure it’s bandaged properly. You are also encouraged to bring your child to the doctor to examine the bite and make sure it doesn’t need any further attention.
Talk to the Person
No matter what, the other person should be aware of what happened. Even if they didn’t intend for your child to be bitten, they still share the burden of responsibility with the dog. Tell them in a calm and rational manner about what happened (if they weren’t around) and let them speak. You want to come to some sort of mutual understanding with them and work to prevent this from happening again.
Keep an Eye on Bite
Even after the initial medical attention and cleaning up of the bite, you still need to keep a close watch on it. See if there are any signs of infections or symptoms of rabies. Some of the signs of rabies include hallucinations and muscle spasms. If your child complains of any sort of lingering pain, bring them to a doctor as soon as possible.
Get Legal Assistance
A dog bite can be a particularly intense injury, especially for a child. Should the other person be unwilling to cooperate with reasonable requests such as helping with medical bills, you might want to hire a personal injury attorney. Look for one who is qualified in such matters. They will help you to fight your case and get the justice you deserve.
Your child being bitten by a dog can be incredibly frightening for both of you. However, you shouldn’t let this unfortunate incident ruin your mindset. Instead, you need to focus on making sure they are okay and that the parties responsible are held accountable.
