What If My Child Was Bitten But Wasn’t Badly Hurt — Do We Still Have a Case?

Parents often dismiss “minor” child dog bites — but child cases have unique legal and medical features that make pursuing them important even when injuries look small.

A parent comforting a child following a dog bite injury

The Short Answer

Yes — and “minor” child cases often have substantially more value than parents realize. Michigan tolls the statute of limitations until age 18, giving you time. Psychological injury (PTSD, lasting fear of dogs) is more common and severe in children. Facial scarring on growing tissue often worsens with development. Courts apply heightened scrutiny to settlements involving minors, which actually protects child cases from being undervalued.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

When a child is bitten and the physical injuries look minor — small punctures, a few stitches, maybe a healing scrape — parents often think pursuing legal action would be overreacting. The medical bills get paid through insurance, the child seems fine, and the family moves on. This is one of the most common — and most consequential — mistakes parents make after a child dog bite.

Why “minor” child bites often aren’t actually minor

Three factors transform what looks like a minor bite into a substantial case:

Scarring grows with the child. A 1-inch scar on a 5-year-old’s cheek may stretch and become more prominent as the child grows. Scar revision surgeries are often needed later — and may be needed multiple times.
Psychological impact is bigger in children. Children process trauma differently. A bite that wouldn’t faze an adult can leave a child with years of fear of dogs, sleep disturbance, regression, and PTSD. See our PTSD page.
Cosmetic location matters more for children. Childhood facial scarring affects social development, school experience, and self-esteem in ways that don’t apply to adults.

Tolled statute of limitations protects you

Under Michigan law, the three-year statute of limitations is tolled (paused) for minors until they turn 18. A child bitten at age 5 has until age 21 to file a civil claim. This gives families time to:

Assess the full long-term impact of the injury
Monitor for scarring progression as the child grows
Identify psychological injury that may not manifest immediately
Decide whether pursuit is warranted based on long-term outcomes

But the tolling doesn’t mean you should wait years. Evidence still fades. Witnesses still move. Insurance companies still pay less for stale claims. The right time to start the case is now, while preserving the option to extend if needed.

Court approval protects child settlements

Michigan courts must approve any settlement on behalf of a minor. This procedural requirement actually HELPS protect child cases:

The judge reviews whether the settlement is fair to the child
Inadequate settlements get rejected — courts won’t approve obvious lowballs
Settlement funds are typically preserved in restricted accounts or structured settlements until the child turns 18
Insurance companies know about this scrutiny — they offer higher amounts than for adult cases of similar severity

Documenting child injuries properly

Even for “minor” injuries, document carefully:

Photographs of the child’s injuries from multiple angles
Continued photographs over time as scarring evolves
Behavioral changes — bedwetting, fear of dogs, sleep issues, school performance
Pediatric evaluations even if the bite seemed minor
Consider a pediatric psychologist evaluation within the first 30 days

What This Means for Your Case

Don’t decide whether your child’s case is “worth pursuing” based on what the bite looks like in the first week. The full extent of childhood dog bite injuries often takes months or years to manifest. A free case review with an attorney experienced in child dog bite cases can give you an honest assessment of what’s likely to develop and whether the case warrants pursuit. See our complete guide to child dog bite injuries in Michigan.

Bitten by a dog in Michigan? Call 1-800-LAWSUIT or request a free case review. No fee unless we win.