Children and Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois: Legal Rights for Families

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children between the ages of 5 and 9 have the highest rate of dog bite injuries, and children under 10 account for the majority of dog bite-related emergency room visits. Because of their small size and natural curiosity around animals, children are more vulnerable to severe injuries — particularly to the face, head, and neck.

At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law, we have represented many families across the Peoria area whose children have been bitten or attacked by dogs. These cases carry unique legal and medical considerations that require an attorney who understands both the law and the long-term impact on a child’s life.

Why Children Are at Greater Risk

Several factors make children more vulnerable to dog attacks. Children are closer to a dog’s eye level, which some dogs perceive as threatening or confrontational. Young children may not recognize warning signs of aggression — growling, bared teeth, a stiff tail, or flattened ears — and may continue approaching or touching a dog that an adult would avoid.

Children also tend to make sudden movements and loud noises that can startle or provoke dogs. They may pull a dog’s tail or ears, try to hug or ride a dog, or approach a dog while it is eating — all behaviors that can trigger a defensive or aggressive response.

Perhaps most importantly, children lack the physical strength and reflexes to defend themselves or escape once an attack begins. A large dog can overpower a small child in seconds, and the injuries can be catastrophic.

Common Injuries to Children from Dog Bites

Because of their height, children are frequently bitten on the face, head, and neck — the most dangerous areas for dog bite injuries. Facial bites can cause lacerations requiring dozens of stitches, damage to the eyes, ears, nose, or lips, permanent scarring and disfigurement, nerve damage affecting facial expression or sensation, and fractures to facial bones.

Bites to the arms and hands are also common as children instinctively try to shield themselves. These injuries can damage tendons, nerves, and growing bones, potentially affecting the child’s development and fine motor skills. Our page on dog bite injuries and compensation covers the full spectrum of injury types.

Psychological Impact on Children

The emotional trauma of a dog attack can be just as devastating as the physical injuries — and in many cases, longer lasting. Children who are attacked by dogs commonly develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may manifest as nightmares, flashbacks, severe anxiety around animals, fear of going outside, regression in developmental milestones (bedwetting, separation anxiety), and behavioral changes at school.

Some children develop a lifelong phobia of dogs (cynophobia) that limits their daily activities, social interactions, and quality of life. A child who is afraid to visit friends’ homes, play in parks, or walk through their neighborhood suffers real, compensable harm.

Mental health treatment — including therapy with a child psychologist who specializes in trauma — is a legitimate and important part of a dog bite claim.

Legal Considerations for Child Dog Bite Cases

Under Illinois strict liability law, a child victim does not need to prove the dog was known to be dangerous. The owner is liable if the dog attacked without provocation while the child was lawfully present.

The provocation defense is applied differently when the victim is a child. Illinois courts recognize that young children do not have the same judgment as adults. Actions that might constitute provocation by an adult — such as pulling a dog’s ears or taking its toy — may not be considered provocation when done by a small child who does not understand the risk.

Additionally, the statute of limitations is extended for minor victims. The two-year filing deadline is typically tolled (paused) until the child turns 18, giving the family additional time to assess the full extent of injuries — which is particularly important for scarring, since the appearance of scars changes as a child grows.

Compensation for Child Dog Bite Victims

Damages in a child’s dog bite case often include all medical treatment (emergency care, surgery, reconstructive procedures), future medical costs (scar revision surgeries as the child grows), psychological counseling and therapy, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement (valued higher for children who will live with scars for decades), and loss of enjoyment of activities and normal childhood experiences.

Because a child’s injuries evolve over time — scars change as they grow, psychological effects may emerge later, and the need for future surgery cannot always be determined immediately — it is important not to rush settlement negotiations.

What Parents Should Do After a Child Is Bitten

If your child has been bitten by a dog, take the same immediate steps recommended after any dog bite — seek medical attention, report the incident, photograph injuries, and identify the dog and its owner. Additionally, keep detailed records of your child’s emotional state and behavioral changes in the days and weeks following the attack. This documentation can be crucial for establishing the psychological component of your claim.

If your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Peoria or Central Illinois, contact Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law. We handle child dog bite cases with the sensitivity and thoroughness they require, and we will fight to ensure your family receives full compensation for your child’s injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child file a dog bite lawsuit, or does a parent have to do it?

A minor cannot file a lawsuit on their own. A parent or legal guardian files the lawsuit on the child’s behalf as a “next friend.” Any settlement involving a minor must be approved by the court to ensure it is in the child’s best interest, and settlement funds are typically held in a protected account until the child reaches adulthood.

Will my child need scar revision surgery, and who pays for it?

Many children who suffer facial dog bite injuries will benefit from scar revision surgery as they grow. Plastic surgeons often recommend waiting until the child is older and the scar has fully matured. The estimated cost of future surgeries should be included in your settlement demand, supported by a plastic surgeon’s treatment plan and cost estimate.

What if my child was bitten by a friend’s or neighbor’s dog?

This is actually one of the most common scenarios. The claim is typically handled through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy — meaning the dog owner does not pay out of pocket. Filing a claim does not have to damage your personal relationship, and the insurance company handles the compensation process.