A dog attack on a child can change a family’s life in an instant. Beyond the physical wounds, these incidents often cause deep emotional and psychological trauma that can last well into adulthood. At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers, our Cleveland dog bite lawyers represent families across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Lorain who are coping with the aftermath of a serious dog attack. We fight to hold negligent owners accountable and ensure that injured children receive the medical care, counseling, and financial support they deserve under Ohio law.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 955.28(B), the state applies a strict liability rule for dog owners. This means a dog’s owner, keeper, or harborer is legally responsible for injuries their animal causes, even if the dog has never shown aggression before.
To recover compensation, the injured party must only prove:
For children, this law provides critical protection because it removes the burden of proving the dog had a violent history or that the owner was negligent.
Ohio law recognizes that children cannot always understand or avoid dangerous situations. For that reason, certain defenses that might apply to adults are limited or excluded entirely in cases involving minors.
Ohio follows the principle of comparative negligence, meaning damages can be reduced if the victim is partially at fault. However, when the victim is a child, courts generally find that young children cannot legally provoke or contribute to a dog attack because they lack the ability to appreciate risk. This limits the defenses available to dog owners and strengthens the victim’s right to recovery.
Most personal injury cases in Ohio must be filed within two years under O.R.C. § 2305.10. For minors, that deadline is delayed until their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to file a lawsuit. This extension allows families more time to gather evidence, assess long-term effects, and build a stronger case. Still, starting early is always best to preserve medical records, witness statements, and photographs.
When a settlement involves a child, Ohio law requires a judge to review and approve it. The court ensures that the agreement is fair and that the funds are safeguarded for the child’s benefit, often through structured settlements or trust accounts.
At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys guide parents through this process to protect every dollar of the compensation awarded to their child.
The physical and emotional toll of a dog attack on a child can be overwhelming. While scars may fade over time, the trauma often remains. Children may develop long-term conditions such as:
Our legal team collaborates with pediatricians, therapists, and trauma specialists to document these effects. By presenting a complete picture of the child’s recovery needs, we help ensure that emotional injuries are valued as seriously as physical ones in compensation claims.
When a child is injured by a dog, the law allows families to recover damages that reflect both immediate and long-term needs. These may include:
Insurance companies often undervalue these cases, focusing only on short-term medical costs. The attorneys at Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers calculate full lifetime costs and fight aggressively to recover every dollar a family deserves.
After a dog attack, parents can take several steps to protect their child’s health and legal rights.
Our attorneys can determine whether the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance applies, whether there were prior complaints about the animal, and whether others such as landlords may share responsibility.
Our firm combines compassion with legal strength, guiding parents through every step of the process while pursuing maximum compensation for their children.
When a dog attack leaves your child injured or traumatized, your family deserves experienced legal representation. The Cleveland dog bite lawyers at Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers stand up for young victims across Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Lorain, ensuring that negligent owners are held fully accountable. We are dedicated to helping your family recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Every case we handle is built with care, urgency, and the determination to secure the best possible outcome for your child.
Schedule your free consultation today with Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers. You pay nothing unless we win. Call 800-LAW-OHIO (800-529-6446) or reach out online to discuss your case. Our Ohio dog bite lawyers are ready to protect your child’s future and help your family rebuild with confidence.
