Interviewing the Parent of a Victim

Here is a basic interview of the parent of a dog bite victim:

• What is the name of your child that was injured?
• How is your child doing now?
• How badly was your child injured?
• Describe the injuries to me.
• Do you have photographs of the injuries?
• I would like you to send me the 3 best ones.
• Can you identify the owner of the dog?
• How old was your child on the date of this accident?
• On what date did it happen?
• In what city, county and state did this accident happen?
• Where did it happen? At what address?
• If that was on private property, did your child have permission to be there? Tell me why you think so.
• Tell me how the accident happened.
• What was your child doing immediately before being bitten?
• What was the dog doing immediately before this happened?
• Was the dog being restrained or handled immediately before the accident?
• Did the dog actually bite your child?
• Was there any warning that the dog would bite your child? Did anybody say that the dog might bite, or was there a sign?
• Why do you think the dog bit your child?
• Do you know whether anybody saw your child get bitten? Who?
• Had that dog bitten anybody before? Tell me what you know about that.
• Did animal control investigate this accident?
• Did they hold a hearing, or have you heard that they are going to do so?
• In your opinion, who was responsible for the attack on your child?
• Have you heard that anyone is blaming your child for this accident?
• Is anybody blaming you for it?
• Does anybody have a different opinion as to why this accident happened?
• Have you been contacted by any insurance company other than your own health insurance?
• Do these dog owners own the house that they live in?
• Do you think they have homeowners insurance (renters insurance)?
• Do you want our law firm to handle this for you?
• What would you like to see happen?
• What are your goals?
• Do you use e-mail regularly?
• Can we send you the necessary paperwork by e-mail?
• Do you have a printer attached to your computer, so that you can print what we send you?