should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

[Fleetwin]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

Been there.... My statements will sound like a jerk, but I'm just presenting my experience.

You have a case and a claim.

Dog bite is your case. Injuries to your daughter are your claim.

The case will go like this... Dogs bite. Their dog bit your daughter. The daughter had food. Dogs want food. You assumed risk by letting your daughter be in the presence of that dog. The dog owners were negligent by letting their dog be in the presence of your daughter w/food.

Oh yeah, let me point out that one statement..... You *assumed risk* by letting your child around that dog. That will be the battle point!

Your lawyer and their lawyer will battle to determine who wins the case.

Now on to the claim. What is the extent of injuries now and the future? You need a doctor to determine this. This will all be offset by what the homeowner's insurance pays. Are we talking a hospital visit with stitches? Long term facial disfigurement and reconstruction ?

If we are talking about hospital visit and stitches, a scar, missed some school days, had to take pain pills, your claims will most likely be paid by their insurance company. ($3000-$5000).

Now if your daughter is badly injured, you need to take action. Get her to a qualified doctor for assessment. Don't accept any insurance payments. Call the police and report the dog bite. Contact a laywer. Your friends will not be friends anymore, but your daughter will get the medical care she deserves.

In the dog bite cases and claims, it is all about the claim.

You'll have to determine what path works for you.

OK, soapbox time. I've owned many dogs. I have 5 kids and a neighborhood full of kids that play at my house. I have just come to the conclusion dogs and young children don't mix. Kids want to jump and play with the dog. The dog wants to figure out who the pack leader is and should they dominate the others or not. Kids don't understand the dog, the dog doesn't understand the kids. Just a matter of time before something happens. Personally, I keep my 7yr old and under kids away from dogs (fences, leashes, cages). Once the kids get to 8, they have a better idea how to deal with dogs. Again, just my experiences...

Take that advice and "Kiss off" your friends.

What's more important? The freindship (two years in litigation) or a few $$$ and enemies for life?

What is frightening is that this is even an issue.

But, we live in a different society now. Nobody knows/trusts anybody. You think you know/trust-then WHAM-Lawsuit.

SAD

Done.

 

[dingbat]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

People seems to forget that dogs are wild animals. While "tame", they have a different perspective and their behavior/ reactions are not always predictable.

When our kids where growing up we had a black lab that wouldn't hurt a flea.....but there was no way we would leave a baby unattended with the dog even for a moment. The dog has no idea what the child is other than something that moves, makes noises, and was smaller than her. A dogs unintentional curiosity could have catastrophic consequences on a small child.

 

[Splat]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

^this. I have the same opinion on my lab, I trust her completely around me, and I know she trusts me, but I wouldn't trust her around a young child, no matter how confident I am in her not creating a problem.

Many dog owners shouldn't be. Watching some dogs actions, that their owners think are so cute, are down right scary, and very telling of where the dog thinks it is in the pecking order.

They are animals. Not furry humans, tho they do become part of the family.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

Take that advice and "Kiss off" your friends.

What's more important? The freindship (two years in litigation) or a few $$$ and enemies for life?

What is frightening is that this is even an issue.

But, we live in a different society now. Nobody knows/trusts anybody. You think you know/trust-then WHAM-Lawsuit.

SAD

Done.

+++++1

 

[Bondo]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

^this. I have the same opinion on my lab, I trust her completely around me, and I know she trusts me, but I wouldn't trust her around a young child, no matter how confident I am in her not creating a problem.

Many dog owners shouldn't be. Watching some dogs actions, that their owners think are so cute, are down right scary, and very telling of where the dog thinks it is in the pecking order.

They are animals. Not furry humans, tho they do become part of the family.

Ayuh,.... Just read This in our local news site,...

An 11 month old, 'n a 6 day old little girls weren't so lucky, as to end up with a scar,...

 

[generator12]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

I didn't read all the posts. Too many jailhouse lawyers and too many uninformed opinions.

To me, it all boils down to this: Will the little girl have lasting effects?

Your description of her behavior indicates that she's doing well as far as attitude and outlook. Fine. But if there are any signs of lasting physical degradation, including to her appearance, I would feel that I owe it to her to gain whatever compensation is necessary to negate that. I'm talking plastic surgery, etc.

I don't mean that I would sue for enrichment, but to "make her whole", as the lawyers would say.

 

[roscoe]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

You'll have to determine what path works for you.

OK, soapbox time. I've owned many dogs. I have 5 kids and a neighborhood full of kids that play at my house. I have just come to the conclusion dogs and young children don't mix. Kids want to jump and play with the dog. The dog wants to figure out who the pack leader is and should they dominate the others or not. Kids don't understand the dog, the dog doesn't understand the kids. Just a matter of time before something happens. Personally, I keep my 7yr old and under kids away from dogs (fences, leashes, cages). Once the kids get to 8, they have a better idea how to deal with dogs. Again, just my experiences...

So you keep the kids in cages until they turn 8 ??

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

I didn't read all the posts. Too many jailhouse lawyers and too many uninformed opinions.

Pot, Meet Kettle!

:lol:

 

[jkust]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

I wonder if being a dog person makes anyone bias in their thought process here or if there is a positive or negative correlation?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

It sounds like you and you're wife were bordering on being friends with this couple...or perhaps already friends?
If you sue them....you can pretty much watch about 50% (or more?) of you're remaining group of friends you have evaporate socially from you....because if you did it with these people, with friendship in the air and with them trying to do the right thing....who's to say you wouldn't try it on someone else?...and remember: what comes around...goes around.
I know I'd move on and wouldn't trust you as friends moving forward.

My two bits.
BP

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

I would sit back and just let it be. You have 2 years in most states to file but being a minor might be longer. There may be an offered settlement so the insurance company can close books on it, then your friendship would not be damaged.

 

[rbh]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

No major damage correct?
Dogs and kids, there is a never ending story of nips and bites a few attacks. Myself I got bit a few times, I remember some my fault some not.
But as a parent of a tot/child you need to expect things are going to happen and take precautions.

Sounds like the people feel bad about what happened and are trying to make restitutions the best they can, so if there is no major damage, let it go.

BTW when she's older and on the teeter totter or swing or whatever, expect some playground injuries, they happen to.

 

[jkust]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

My sisters roommates' dog that should have been put down due to age and blindness bit the neighbor girl in the face. The little girl approached the dog on its blind side and scared it. The bite completely split the part between her nose and mouth in half among other damage. The dog was a malamute and absolutely the biggest dog I've ever seen. Big to the point that you almost can't believe any breed is that large. My sister was on pins and needles awaiting the lawsuit. The girl's parent were already multimillionaires due to a previous lawsuit they won hence fully expected they to take legal action. Amazingly they didn't sue and there was some real negligence there as the dog was a danger in the first place. I warned them that the dog would bite someone previously. I understand the damage healed quite nicely.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

Glad your child is doing well and everything was taken care of as it should be.

 

[Biggredd]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

One last post and will likely be my last. We don't know this couple other than to swap babysitting. Sometimes you get a little complacent thinking if someone has kids and a dog everything will be ok. My daughter will be ok and is healing amazingly fast. Like I said she is taking it like nothing happened and we have no plans with the law at this time. We haven't heard from them since a day and two after but it's ok, we'll get things figured out. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

I was bit in the face by our family pet when I was around 3 yrs old. I stepped on the dogs paw when it was sleeping and ended up getting my nose punctured and my upper lip split wide open. My face got stitched up and I was good to go after that. I have a couple light scars but nothing that is that visible. There were no lasting emotional wounds. I have always had dogs in my adult life and they just about come before anybody.

 

[Volphin]

Re: should we sue? dog bite to face of two yr old

If more people handled issues like your friends, we wouldn't need lawyers.

Move on.

This. Too many folks sue for dumb reasons. And for 4 little stitches, not worth a L's time. They have stepped up and are doing the right thing.