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What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for a Dog Bite Injury?
If you or someone you love have been attacked by a dog or suffered an injury due to a dog bite, you may be unsure about the legal options available to you. Dog bites can cause multiple types of injuries, such as lacerations, puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and scarring. In the most serious cases, dog bites may even lead to the wrongful death of a victim. Fortunately, Illinois law states that a dog's owner or a person who was in control of a dog at the time of a dog bite is "strictly liable" for a victim's injuries and damages. This means that you do not have to prove that the person was negligent or failed to control their dog, and as long as you were not trespassing and did not provoke the dog, you can pursue compensation for your injuries. By understanding the types of compensation you can receive, you can make sure you will be able to make a full recovery from a dog bite.
When Can Dog Bites Lead to Nerve Damage?
Dog bites can be incredibly painful and traumatic experiences. Even when a person receives immediate medical attention following a dog bite, they may experience injuries that can significantly affect their health, their ability to perform tasks or participate in activities they had done in the past, and their overall well-being. In some serious cases, dog bites may result in nerve damage, which can lead to permanent disabilities.
Types of Nerve Damage From Dog Bites
Depending on where the bite occurred on the body, as well as the size and strength of the animal involved, a person could experience several different types and degrees of nerve damage. Some common forms of nerve damage resulting from dog bites include:
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Severed nerves – When a dog's teeth puncture the skin and damage the underlying tissues, significant nerve damage can occur. In some cases, nerves may be severed, and depending on the location of the body where a bite occurred, this could result in a loss of sensation, a loss of mobility, or even complete paralysis.
Can a Dog Attack Lead to a Traumatic Brain Injury?
When we think about serious injuries caused by dogs, we usually think about bite-related injuries. Dog bites can cause severe tissue damage, nerve damage, infection, and lasting disfigurement. However, even something as seemingly simple as being pushed to the ground by a dog can also lead to serious injuries. Someone who is knocked down by a dog and hits their head on the ground may even suffer a traumatic brain injury.
If you or a loved one suffered any injury because of a dog attack, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your losses. This can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. To learn more about the legal options available to you in this situation, contact an experienced dog bite lawyer today. They can review the details of your case and help you determine how best to proceed with pursuing a claim for compensation.
Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury Caused by a Dog Attack
Dog Bites Threaten Postal Workers Making Holiday Deliveries
During the pandemic and the “new normal” that has followed, home deliveries have skyrocketed, and, unfortunately, so have dog bites. Last year, more than 5,400 postal employees in the country were attacked by dogs with Illinois ranking among the top ten states with the most number of dog bites. Now that we are in the thick of the holiday rush, it is probably a good idea to keep your pooch indoors or behind a secured fence if you want to avoid legal trouble.
Dog Bite Law in Illinois
Aggressive dog behaviors pose a serious threat to postal employees. Last year, at least 226 mail carriers in Illinois reported that they suffered canine bites. A vicious dog attack can cause serious injuries as well as emotional trauma. Under state law, a dog owner is liable if their dog hurts someone, regardless of whether or not the owner knew that the dog might be dangerous.
Are Pit Bulls Really as Dangerous as They Seem?
Even as it seems pit bulls make national headlines almost every week for a serious or fatal dog attack, a cottage industry of pit bull apologists has taken up the cause of defending the rights and reputations of these dogs. According to pit bull advocates, pit bulls are the same as any other dog, with the same potential for positive traits like love and gentleness, as well as negative traits like aggression and defensiveness.
Regardless of what pit bull advocates say, however, the statistics tell a very different story. Not only are pit bulls more likely to seriously maim and kill than other dog breeds, but the number of serious pit bull attacks is on the rise. The causes of rising rates of pit bull attacks are debatable; perhaps vicious owners are more likely to buy pit bulls because of their reputation, making for much more vicious pit bull dogs; perhaps pit bulls and other bully breeds really are more vicious. Whatever the reason, at the end of the day, if you or someone you love has suffered from a pit bull bite attack through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation.
Dangerous and Deadly Dog Attacks Make Recent Headlines
Just a few days ago, an elderly woman, her husband, and a responding police officer were attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull in North Carolina. The woman was so badly attacked that her foot had to be amputated, and her husband also suffered serious injuries to his hands, arms, and body. The responding police officer shot the dog after it bit her in the leg, too. The dog was later euthanized. Just a day later, two children were killed by their family’s pit bull in Tennessee, and their mother was hospitalized for injuries she sustained as she tried to protect them.
Similar dog attacks happen all over the country at terrifying rates, and Illinois is consistently rated as one of the states with the highest rates of dog attacks. While most dogs never attack anyone, those who do tend to attack more than once and their owners are responsible for ensuring the dog is carefully controlled. When someone in Illinois is attacked by a vicious dog, Illinois law may allow them to recover compensation for their injuries. It is crucial to speak with an Illinois dog bite attorney who can help you litigate your case.
What Kind of Behavior Is Considered Provoking a Dog?
An aggressive dog can terrorize a neighborhood, especially one with children. When a dog owner does not properly restrain their dog - and even sometimes when they do - a dog’s lunging, barking, and other aggressive acts towards passersby can be frightening and dangerous. Illinois law requires dogs on private property to be enclosed by a fence at least six feet high, but many, if not most, dog owners do not abide by this law.
After a dog attack occurs and someone is injured, the injured party and their family may be outraged to hear the dog’s owner accusing them of provoking the dog. And while this may seem like a weak defense, in certain cases, it can be surprisingly effective. Read on to learn more about what kind of behavior is considered provoking a dog and then contact an experienced dog bite attorney to get help with your case.
Provoking a Dog Before an Attack
Dog Bite Facts and Laws You Should Know
A dog bite can be very dangerous. Even if a bite does not seem serious at first, the potential for a serious infection remains. Of course, other bites are clearly very serious right away. Children are at particular risk for serious dog attacks, as they are more likely than an adult to unintentionally provoke a dog. Dog bites can lead to all sorts of complications. Disfigurement is a very common complaint in dog bite cases, particularly when a person’s face or arms have been bitten. Many will be left with scars around the bite area that will never go away. It can also be a very traumatic experience.
Even a normally friendly-looking dog can become terrifying in an instant when it begins to show aggression. If you are one of the many people who have been bitten by a dog this year, you may be entitled to compensation from the dog’s owner.
Dog Bite Facts and Statistics Everyone Should Be Aware Of
Will the Dog Be Put Down If I Report a Bite?
Animal lovers are often more likely to be bitten by a dog than those who generally dislike dogs. People who love dogs are more likely to approach and try to pet any dog they encounter, while others are more likely to keep their distance from strange pets. If you were recently bitten by a dog, you may be wondering whether reporting the bite and pursuing a claim against the owner could cost the dog its life. Dog lovers often do not want this result, even if the dog in question has caused them harm.
In Illinois, it is not likely that a dog will be put down simply for biting, especially if it is the animal’s first bite. However, the owner may be subjected to additional restrictions designed to reduce the likelihood of a repeat incident. Reporting the bite is generally the right move, as it not only opens the door for you to recover compensation, but it also may protect someone else in the future from getting bit.
How Irresponsible Dog Owners Contribute to Bites
Owning a pet of any kind is a big responsibility. Pet owners must ensure that they are able to care for their pet. This can involve providing food and veterinary care as well as adequate exercise and cleanliness. One of the other major responsibilities that come with getting a dog is preventing the dog from causing harm to others.
In Illinois, dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries their pet causes. This means that dog owners are completely responsible for having such control over their pet as to prevent it from biting or attacking anyone else. Dogs with responsible owners are far less likely to ever be given the opportunity to bite. Irresponsible owners are more likely to put the dog in a position where it will hurt someone. If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to recover compensation from its owner.
What Mistakes by Irresponsible Owners Lead to Dog Bites?
There are a few basic steps all dog owners should take to drastically reduce the likelihood that their dog will injure someone. Irresponsible dog owners may contribute to dog bites by engaging in careless practices like:
Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Attorney
If you have suffered a dog bite injury, our personal injury lawyers can help you determine the actual value of the damages you have suffered, and we will work to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at 630-552-6860 or fill out the form below to arrange a free consultation.
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By Appointment Only 630-420-1000 |
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134 N. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 630-529-4761 |
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900 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard, IL 60148 630-932-9100 |
