Maison Law helps people that have been bitten by a dog and injured in Tulare. It’s one thing when you’re the one that’s bitten, but a completely different situation when your child is the one that’s hurt by a dog. If your child was bitten by a dog in Tulare, you have the right to explore your legal options–and you don’t have to do it alone. Set up a free consultation with our team today.
Should You Get a Lawyer?
When your child is bitten by a dog, everything else fades into the background. You’re focused on getting them medical care, calming their fears, and figuring out what just happened. It’s a scary and emotional time–and for many parents, the legal side of things doesn’t cross their mind right away. Still, once the immediate emergency passes, a big question usually follows: Should I get a lawyer?
The answer depends on what you’re up against. While California law is clear about holding dog owners responsible for bites, the actual process of filing a claim–and making sure your child’s needs are fully covered–can be more complicated than it seems. You’re allowed to handle the claim yourself, but many families find that having a lawyer makes the process far less stressful and far more effective. Here’s why:
- Looking into what really happened – We look beyond the surface to uncover who was responsible, how the bite occurred, and whether any other parties–like property owners–may share liability.
- Explaining your child’s legal options – We help you understand what your rights are, what kind of support your child may be entitled to, and what steps need to happen next.
- Gathering and presenting strong evidence – From medical records to eyewitness accounts and photos, we build a case that clearly shows the impact of the bite on your child’s life.
- Handling communications – We speak with the insurance companies and opposing legal teams so you don’t have to worry about what to say or how to protect your claim.
Ultimately, the reason to involve a lawyer is simple: you want to make sure your child gets the financial support and care they’re able to get under California law. That’s going to depend on the details–and having someone in your corner who knows the roadmap of those details makes a big difference.
Does My Child Have the Same Legal Rights in a Dog Bite Case?
The first thing you need to know about a situation where your child is bitten by a dog in Tulare is that they have the same legal rights as anyone else. That said, the process looks a little different when it’s a child that’s involved.
Dog owners in California are strictly liable for any damage, but that doesn’t mean the case is automatic. You’ll still need to show:
- How the bite happened.
- Why your child wasn’t at-fault.
That’s where legal experience matters, especially since children often interact with dogs in unpredictable ways, mostly involving things like:
- Lack of awareness – Young kids may misread a dog’s body language or not realize their actions are triggering the animal.
- Small size – Children are often bitten on the face or neck because they’re physically closer to a dog’s mouth.
- Excitable behavior – Running, shouting, or sudden movements can make even normally calm dogs feel threatened.
- Lack of supervision – If a child is left alone with a dog, the chances of an incident increase–especially if the dog is unfamiliar or unsocialized.
While adults might be partially blamed for provoking a dog or trespassing, children are generally held to a different legal standard. Still, if supervision is lacking or other conditions exist, the other person might try to argue comparative negligence. That’s why it’s so important to have legal support–so your child’s best interests are clearly represented.
What Can You Get for Your Child’s Dog Bite Claim?
Your child having the same legal rights as any other dog bite victim in Tulare is important, because it effectively means that a claim can be filed and “damages” can be recovered. Like other dog bites claims, this usually happens through:
- An insurance claim.
- A personal injury lawsuit.
But unlike adult injury claims, a claim involving your child comes with extra considerations. Your child is still developing–physically, emotionally, and socially–and that means the impact of a dog bite can be far more significant and long-lasting. A properly handled claim can take those effects into account and may involve them getting damages for things like:
- Medical expenses – This includes not only emergency care and hospital bills, but any follow-up surgeries, physical therapy, or mental health treatment your child may need.
- Lost income – If you had to miss work to care for your child, or if the injuries affect your child’s future ability to earn income, these losses can be part of the claim.
- Pain and suffering – Dog bites often cause intense pain, trauma, and fear. These emotional and physical hardships are real and costs can be recovered that are based around these.
- Permanent injuries or disfigurement – Bites often happen on your child’s face or neck, leaving lasting scars or requiring reconstructive surgery. This can affect your child’s confidence and well-being for years.
- Loss of quality of life – If your child can no longer participate in certain activities they once enjoyed, this emotional loss can be accounted for.
- Wrongful death expenses – In the tragic event that a dog bite leads to a fatality, you can file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs and the emotional and financial support your child would have provided in the future.
California also gives you time to act–typically two years from the date of injury. But in a child’s case, the timeline pauses until they turn 18. That said, it’s best not to wait–the longer you wait, the harder it can be to take the right steps and get the right evidence your child is going to need.
What Do I Need to Do If My Child is Bitten by a Dog in Tulare?
The reason why a dog bite on your child is so troubling is obvious: you don’t want them to be hurt. But what makes the situation more difficult is that they can happen anywhere, at any time there’s an interaction with a dog. That might be during a visit to Zumwalt Park, walking near Mission Oak High School, or just riding bikes around your own neighborhood. But it’s about your child’s recovery, and taking these steps can help protect both your child’s health and your legal options:
- Get medical care – Even if the wound doesn’t look severe, dog bites can lead to infections or complications. Quick treatment is key, and those records can also support your claim.
- Find the dog and its owner – Try to get the name and contact info of the dog’s owner. This helps when reporting the bite and filing a claim.
- Report the bite – Call Tulare Animal Services or the local police. Reporting the incident helps start an official investigation and prevents future attacks.
- Document everything – Take photos of your child’s injuries, where the bite happened, and any other relevant evidence. If someone saw the bite happen, get their statement.
- Track medical care and costs – Keep detailed records of all your child’s treatments, medications, and therapy. These records can help calculate what your family is owed.
The unfortunate reality is that children are more likely to suffer serious harm from dog bites—like deep wounds or even infections like rabies. These injuries can affect how they grow and feel, so it’s important to make sure their recovery includes the right care and legal support.
Contact Maison Law If Your Child Has Been Bitten by a Dog in Tulare
No parent should have to go through a situation where their child is bitten by a dog, but if it does happen in Tulare, Maison Law is here to help you figure out what comes next. Our legal team understands how overwhelming this situation can be–and how important it is to make sure your child gets the care and support they need.
We’ll walk you through your options, investigate what happened, and help you take legal action if needed. While you focus on helping your child get better, we’ll focus on protecting their future. Get started today with a free consultation.
