Can A School Be Sued For Dog Bites That Occur On Its Property?

When your child is hurt, nothing matters other than getting the medical care needed to ensure the health and safety of your child. However, after you know your child is safe, many questions and concerns can come to mind. And that is never clearer than when your child suffers a dog bite while on school property.

You know that care for dog bite injuries can be costly. And you are likely to miss work while you care for your child, attend medical appointments, and even visit a therapist if your child is experiencing fear or nightmares after the trauma of a dog bite. You have many questions about the school’s responsibility and the dog’s owner. But you have no idea whom to trust with these vital questions that could significantly impact your future and future finances.

Fortunately, the Normandie Law Firm is here to assist any dog bite victims in understanding their rights, who could be responsible for their dog bite injuries, and who should be paying the bills related to medical care and other expenses related to the dog bite injuries. Our staff is available 24/7 to offer immediate answers to any time-sensitive questions. In addition, we are happy to provide a free consultation to discuss the injuries you or your child suffered on school property.

Is The School Liable For Dog Bites That Happen On Its Property?
While you are sure to be looking for a simple yes or no answer, this question is not as simple as it appears. Many factors must be considered when determining if the school, public or private, has any culpability in the dog bite injuries suffered on its property. Some of the questions that need to be answered include the following:

• What is the school policy related to dogs on the property?
• Are there signs posted that prohibit dogs from the property?
• Did school staff know there was a dog on the property, and if so, did they take action to have the dog removed?

All this information is needed to determine if the school could share in the liability for a dog bite on its property. However, the school is not the only party that can be held responsible for a dog bite on its property.
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Understanding Strict Liability In California
As a strict liability state, California dog owners are almost always responsible for the actions of their dogs and any damage they cause. So, if a dog bites your child on school property, you can seek compensation from the dog owner as long as your child had permission to be on school property and was not hurting the dog. Those are the typical exceptions to the strict liability of the dog owner.
The Health Concerns Related To Dog Bites
Any dog bite can potentially cause a severe infection due to the germs and bacteria in a dog’s mouth and saliva. So your child must have the dog bite injury examined by a medical professional as soon as possible. Even a tiny puncture wound can allow the bacteria to enter the body and cause:

• Staph or strep infection
• Cellulitis
• A bone or blood infection

Without proper treatment, these infections can become life-threatening. It could take a day or two for the pain and swelling to occur, making the infection much more difficult to eliminate. So it is always best to seek immediate medical care for any dog bite.
The Added Trauma Of A Dog Bite For A Child
Most kids love animals. But it is vital to understand that many dogs are almost as large as a small child. So when they suffer an attack or dog bite, they are filled with fear. It is not uncommon for a child dog bite victim to be afraid to go outside alone, fear all dogs, and even suffer nightmares. In these cases, counseling and therapy could be needed to help your child overcome the fear created by the dog bite they suffered.
The Time Line For A Dog Bite Case
All personal injury cases have a Statute of Limitations or time limit for filing the claim with the court system of two years from the date of the incident. However, in the case of a child suffering a dog bite, there can be exceptions to the time limit for filing the claim. In most instances, if a minor is bitten by a dog, the two-year time limit for filing a lawsuit does not begin until the child reaches the age of majority. So they have until they are twenty to file a claim for a dog bite injury.

If the defendant in the lawsuit is a public school, there is typically a six-month Statute of Limitations due to the government ownership of the school. However, when a minor is involved, the time frame can vary. In the case of a private school, the typical two-year time limit applies but does not begin until the child reaches the age of majority.

The complexities of the time to file a dog bite injury claim on behalf of your child is one of the many topics you can discuss with a Normandie Law Firm expert at your free consultation. In addition, you can better understand the length of time required to complete the case and receive the settlement or verdict for your child’s injuries.
The Value Of A Dog Bite Lawsuit In California
The value of most lawsuits is derived by compiling all the expenses and losses suffered by the victim. For example, in the case of a minor child suffering a dog bite, many costs could be included in the claim, such as:

• The cost of all medical care for treating the dog bite, including examinations, therapy, surgery, reconstruction, and medications prescribed due to the injuries- in addition the cost of any counseling or emotional therapy due to the trauma suffered during the dog bite can be included in the claim
• The potential cost of any future treatment or medical care for the dog bite can also be included in the lawsuit claim amount.
• If the dog bite injury results in permanent disability or limitations, the loss of future income can also be claimed.
• The cost of legal fees for the lawsuit
• A dollar amount for the pain, suffering and emotional distress can be included

The team at Normandie Law Firm has decades of combined experience working with families of children who have suffered dog bite injuries. Our expertise will ensure that you and your family receive the full compensation due to you for the injuries sustained by your child and the expenses you incurred for the care and treatment of your child due to the dog bite injuries and trauma they endured.

Why Choose Normandie Law Firm To Handle Your Child’s Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
Nothing is more traumatic or upsetting to a parent than seeing their child injured. At Normandie Law Firm, we understand the suffering that you and your child have endured, and we are here to ensure that your child’s rights are fully protected. In addition, we are eager to offer you the support you need to handle this matter for your minor child. We will thoroughly explain your rights and options to help you determine what is best for you and your family today and for your child’s future.

Our goal is always to help our clients find the right solution to all the challenges they are facing. And to provide our services in a caring and compassionate manner. We do not see a file number. Instead, we see an injured child and a family struggling to restore structure, normalcy, and happiness to their everyday life. And we want to offer our expertise and skill to help you rebuild your lives and your child’s happy childhood.
No Upfront Legal Fees Or Added Stress To Handle
After your child has suffered a dog bite while at school, you are sure to be facing financial challenges and immense stress. You want to secure the best legal representation possible for your child. But you also need to consider the financial side of paying legal fees while still meeting all of the other financial obligations of your daily life. At Normandie Law Firm, we understand these concerns and want to help eliminate what could be a significant financial hardship for you and your family.

When you hire Normandie Law Firm to handle your child’s dog bite lawsuit, we never charge any upfront legal fees or expenses. Instead, we wait to get paid until our work is completed and you have the settlement or verdict you need to pay your bills and legal fees without adding stress to your household budget. In addition, if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing for our failed effort.

If your child has suffered a dog bite while on school property, it is essential that you understand your options and your child’s rights. But most important is seeking medical attention for your child’s injuries. Once the injuries are addressed, please contact Normandie Law Firm to discuss your concerns and schedule a free consultation with a California dog bite injury lawyer.

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