A dog bite can leave more than just physical wounds. For a child, the trauma of being attacked by a dog often lingers long after the cuts have healed. Nightmares, anxiety, and a deep fear of dogs, or even going outside, can affect a young person’s confidence and emotional development for years.
If your child was bitten or attacked by a dog, you may be able to pursue damages not only for medical bills but also for the emotional harm caused by the experience.
What Illinois Law Says About Dog Attacks
Illinois has some of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog’s owner is strictly liable if their dog attacks, attempts to attack, or injures someone, so long as the person wasn’t trespassing, provoking the animal, or acting unlawfully.
That means you don’t need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner was negligent. If your child was legally present and did nothing to provoke the dog, the owner is financially responsible for the resulting harm. And importantly, that harm includes emotional trauma, not just broken skin or bruises.
Understanding Emotional Trauma in Children
Children process fear and pain differently from adults. After a dog attack, even if the injuries were minor, many kids experience emotional symptoms that can be just as disruptive as physical ones. These may include:
- Fear of dogs or animals in general
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Trouble concentrating or going to school
- Separation anxiety or fear of going outside
- Signs of depression or social withdrawal
Sometimes, these symptoms appear right away. At other times, they appear weeks or even months later. That’s why it’s so important to have a child evaluated by a pediatric therapist or counselor after an attack. Emotional injuries are real, and early treatment can prevent long-term effects.
How Emotional Damages Are Proven
To pursue compensation for emotional trauma, you’ll need more than just your child’s word or your observations. These claims rely on evidence that shows how the incident has affected your child’s mental and emotional health. Common types of documentation include:
- Records from child psychologists or licensed therapists
- School counselor notes
- Testimony from teachers or caregivers about changes in behavior
- Journals or written accounts from the child (if age-appropriate)
- Statements from parents or guardians about daily struggles or regression
In Illinois, emotional distress falls under the category of non-economic damages, along with pain and suffering and loss of normal life.
Filing a Claim on Behalf of a Child
As a parent or guardian, you have the legal right to file a personal injury claim on your child’s behalf. In Illinois, any settlement involving a minor must be approved by the court to ensure it’s fair and in the child’s best interest. Often, the funds are placed in a trust or structured settlement that becomes available when the child reaches adulthood, or earlier if needed for education or therapy.
Working with a personal injury attorney familiar with child injury cases in the Northbrook area can help streamline this process and ensure nothing is overlooked.
Speak With a Northbrook Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Some people might brush off the emotional harm of a dog bite as something the child will “just get over.” But mental trauma can take root in childhood and affect everything from friendships to academic performance. We’ve worked with families whose children needed months of therapy just to feel safe walking down the street again.
Your child’s emotional recovery matters. If a dog attack left lasting psychological harm, we’re here to help you take action. Call Stein and Shulman today to speak with an attorney who understands what your family is going through.
