When Your Child Experiences Emotional Injuries after a Florida Dog Attack

A dog attack in Florida can be especially traumatic to a child, physically and emotionally. In addition to suffering physical pain, a child might lose trust in adults and harbor fears that the dog attack might recur.

If your child is suffering emotionally, they might need help in the form of play therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Signs to look for in your child include the following, based on the child's age: 

• 5 years old or younger: screaming, crying, fear of being separated from their parent, aimless motion, excessive clinging, trembling, bed wetting, fear of darkness, and regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking. The child will also be affected by the parent's reaction to the dog attack in Florida.
• 6 to 11 years old: disruptive behavior, extreme withdrawal, nightmares, inattentiveness, irrational fears, fighting, outbursts of anger, refusing to attend school, feelings of guilt, depression, emotional numbing, bodily symptoms that lack medical basis, and anxiety. School work will also suffer.
• 12 to 17 years old: flashbacks, emotional numbness, nightmares, substance abuse, problem with peers, depression, avoiding things that remind them of the event, suicidal thoughts, isolation, physical complaints, confusion, sleep disturbances, and guilt for not preventing the attack. Adolescents might also fantasize about revenge, which could interfere with their recovery. 

To help your child receive adequate treatment for injuries after a dog attack in Florida, you should consult with a St. Petersburg dog bite lawyer, who might be able to help you seek compensation for emotional and physical injuries. (insert link to When a Dog Attack in Florida Leads to Injuries)

Obtaining the Help of a St. Petersburg Dog Bite Lawyer

Filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim as the result of a dog attack can be complex. In cases such as these, it's best that you have an experienced and trustworthy St. Petersburg dog bite lawyer on your side.

To consult with a St. Petersburg dog bite lawyer about your Florida personal injury claim, contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron at 727-345-4566 or 866-836-4947.