If Your Child Is Bitten By A Dog – -
Children and dogs – a good idea or not?
Is your child comfortable around dogs? Some children are; others seemed to be scared silly by them. Some dogs are comfortable around children and others are not. Why is that? Of course, there are many reasons.
One reason for a child’s discomfort and fear is that a child may have had a bad experience with a dog, She is more likely to be afraid of the next dog she meets. Sometimes the dog’s exuberance at meeting a child may be scary. And, sometimes, her parents’ own tension and fear may transmit to the child – and to the dog.
Regardless of why a dog becomes aggressive toward and bites your child, it is not the child’s fault. Children under the age of 7 cannot be held responsible in Virginia for negligence — it’s not your child’s fault.
The law in Virginia is that the dog gets “one free bite.” That is, IF THE OWNER HAS NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE that the dog has a tendency to bite, the owner is not generally liable for the injuries the dog causes when it bites someone.
If your child has been bitten by a dog, there are important facts to discover to determine if your child has a valid claim against the owner of the dog. The lawyers in my firm are experienced in representing parents of children who have been injured by a dog. Send an email to srohrstaff@wrsattorneys.com, give us a call at 703-273-9500, or contact us through our website www.WRSattorneys.com. We will be glad to answer your questions – for free.
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