Not all dogs are vicious and when properly trained, they make great companions, guards and service animals. However, a common mistake among dog owners is to ignore the reality that although a dog is a domesticated animal, it still has instincts and is dangerous when provoked or handled poorly.
Whenever a vicious dog bites another person, the owner is responsible for the victim’s injuries if it is determined that the accident could have been avoided. The Chicago Injury Center is a law firm committed to holding Illinois’s dog owners accountable when their dogs bite or injure others without just cause.
What May Cause an Dog Bite Attack
Most dog bites are the result of an accident where the dog feels threatened by a human being and feels the need to defend itself. While it is true that more aggressive breeds can be more vicious and territorial, less aggressive breeds are often involved in as many or more bite injury cases because they are not respected as animals with the potential to do harm. If the animal was not properly controlled or the incident occurred because the dog got loose, the owner may be responsible regardless of whether the animal was provoked or not.
Training makes a difference in how aggressive or dangerous dogs can be and some incidents can be the result of negligent training that teaches the dog to have a threatening temperament. Many mail carriers are injured by these animals while simply trying to do their jobs. Children may be harmed simply while passing the owner’s home if the gate fails or the dog manages to find a way over it. Illinois law protects victims by holding the owners accountable if they are bitten or attacked on or off of the dog owner’s property so long as the victim was not committing a criminal act such as breaking into the home.
Injuries Caused by Dog Attacks
Puncture wounds may require expensive medical treatment due to potential damage caused to nerves and the possibility of infection, which is higher in the case of dog attacks due to the microorganisms that are commonly found in dogs’ saliva. The injuries sustained in these accidents include the following.
- Deep lacerations to muscle tissue and nerves which may impair motor function in the affected area.
- Rabies or other diseases which can be transmitted by the animal.
- Injuries which may require reconstructive surgery to either repair damage to nerves and muscles or to correct scarring which may permanently alter the victim’s appearance.
- Non-bite injures. While less common than a ‘bites’, Illinois law allows a person who was ‘knocked down’ or even injured by a dog riding a bicycle
The dog bite lawyers at the Chicago Injury Center have access to qualified professionals who are able to help determine the cost of your medical care as well as provide expert testimony about reconstructive surgery, animal behavior and the economic and psychological consequences of a Chicago dog attack. If you have been injured in an attack, contact us today for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys so that we can properly evaluate your case and guide you through the process of recovering damages in the amount of your hospital bills, lost wages and the pain and suffering you have endured.
Chicago Dog Bite Lawyers With The Experience To Get You Maximum Recovery For Your Case
Our Chicago dog bite lawyers have successfully resolved hundreds of dog bite cases across Illinois with millions of dollars recovered for our clients. We know the law and how to maximize the value of your case with the dog owner’s insurance company. Even if situations where you may have been injured by a dog owned by a friend or family member, a recovery from their insurance carrier ensures that their personal assets are protected.
As always, if we are unable to collect or settle on your behalf, our services will be free of charge. Rest assured we will do everything in our power to win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.