Dogs bite nearly 5 million people a year in the U.S. Of the total number of dog bite injuries, nearly half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Over 800,000 Americans each year seek medical attention for wounds from dog bites, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. River North Law Group has managed hundreds of these cases over the years, and we are your best bet to get the recovery you deserve.
The CDC does not track psychological trauma of those experiencing an animal attack nor the ramifications to their lives of these injuries. Yet, those consequences are an important part of your personal injury case. The attorneys at River North Law Group help you quantify these losses and will help you win your case .
Although some breeds are more likely to attack than others, the simple fact is that any dog under the right circumstances can attack.
Some reasons that dogs may bite include:
- Playfulness – Dogs often play with other dogs in ways that look like aggression to us. They roll around on the ground and nip at each other’s ears. If we play with a dog in the same way, we increase the risk of being bitten. If we ignore the dog’s queues that play has turned serious, the dog’s aggression can quickly escalate.
- Stress – If a dog senses that a person is invading its space or territory, by direct frontal eye contact, or other signals, the dog’s stress level may quickly escalate. Dogs may react to stress by biting the person.
- Fright – A dog can also lash out if it becomes scared or startled. For instance, a dog may attack if it senses that its bed, toy, food, puppies or owner are being threatened.
- Illness or mistreatment – Dogs have days of poor temperament or mood just like humans. If mistreated, dogs may lash out in frustration. If trapped or enclosed, dogs may respond with aggression. Some breeds are naturally more territorial than others. In those cases, a dog may bite a person who is playing with them.
Although dog bites can be slight scratches to the skin of no consequence, a serious injury suffered in a dog attack is reason to hold the dog’s owner accountable, especially when the injury is severe enough to have long-term effects. In those cases, the victim should seek compensation for all medical expenses, pain and suffering and other harm caused by the bite. Injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Scarring
- Lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Scratches
- Nerve damage
- Infection
If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal, our lawyers want to help you file a case. Call today 312-922-2224.
It’s the law in Illinois:
“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself in any place where he may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in damages to such person for the full amount of the injury sustained.”
Chicago ranks fourth in the nation in frequency of dog bites. The global pandemic created circumstances that only exacerbated the problem. Don't compound the dog bite injury and losses with frustration of inexperienced attorneys. Call River North to get the help you need. 312-944-2224