Dog bites are more common — and more serious — than most people realize. Beyond puncture wounds, victims face infection risk, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and lasting psychological trauma, especially in children. The legal side moves quickly, so the first days matter.
Start with medical care, even for a bite that looks minor. Dog bites carry a high infection risk, and a doctor's record created the same day connects the injury to the attack. Photograph the wounds immediately and again as they heal; scarring evidence is central to how these cases are valued.
Identify the dog and its owner before you leave the scene, and get contact information for witnesses. Report the bite to animal control or the local health department — the report creates an official record, triggers a rabies verification, and documents whether the dog has bitten before.
The law differs meaningfully by state. Florida imposes strict liability: a dog owner is responsible for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. Georgia requires proof the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or that the owner violated a leash law — which is why local ordinance violations often decide Georgia cases. New York splits the difference: strict liability for medical costs, but a showing of 'vicious propensities' for full damages.
Children deserve special mention because they are the most frequent and most seriously injured victims — often bitten on the face and head. The law recognizes this: courts do not hold young children to adult standards of care around dogs, and defenses like provocation are much harder to raise against a child victim. Parents should document everything, keep every medical and counseling record, and know that settlements for minors typically require court approval to protect the child.
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance — not out of the owner's pocket. That matters when the dog belongs to a neighbor, friend, or family member; pursuing the claim usually means dealing with an insurance company, not suing someone you know personally into hardship.
If you or your child has been bitten, talk to a dog bite lawyer before accepting anything from the insurer. Scarring, revision surgery, and psychological care have long tails that early offers never cover.
