If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog while visiting Chicago’s Churchill Field Park, you may be left with serious and long-lasting injuries. Dog bites are far too common throughout the United States, with 4.5 million dog attacks happening annually.
Dog bites are also notorious for the large amounts of homeowners’ insurance claims that are paid out. In 2019, $797 million in liability claims was paid out for dog-related injuries, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
When faced with a dog bite attack, you may have a lot on your mind aside from recovering from your injuries. By consulting with a Chicago Churchill Field Park dog bite lawyer, you can explain your dog bite case in detail online or by phone at (800) 816-0755 with a free case review. From here, our team can outline the compensation you are potentially entitled to for your damages, which may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Limited earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
To begin your path to financial compensation for your dog bite related damages contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
Infections and Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
Dog bite injuries can range far and wide, all depending on the situation when the dog attacked. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs tend to bite humans because they are reacting to something. Depending on their reaction, a dog bite can be an attempt at playing with a human or to cause physical harm. The AVMA also states that dogs tend to inflict injuries when they are in stressful situations or are looking to defend their territory.
Because of these tendencies in dogs, they result in dog bite attacks that result in 26 hospital stays per day in the United States, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The AHRQ has also reported the following common hospital diagnoses in which humans suffer from dog attacks:
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections
- Open wounds (extremities)
- Open wounds (head, neck, and trunk)
- Upper limb fractures
- Connective tissue disease
- Infective arthritis and osteomyelitis
- Injuries from external causes
- Septicemia
- Internal injuries and crushing injuries
- Lower limb fractures
There are also a variety of diseases in which humans may suffer from when bitten by dogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC warns of the following diseases from dog-related injuries:
- Brucellosis – a bacterial disease from infected animals
- Campylobacter – symptoms in humans include diarrhea (bloody per the CDC), fever, and abdominal cramps.
- Capnocytophaga – bacteria that is known to survive in the mouths of cats and dogs.
- Cryptosporidiosis – a parasitic disease that is the result of animals swallowing infected feces.
- Flea tapeworm – these parasites are the result of animals ingesting infected fleas.
- Echinococcosis – a parasitic disease formed when animals are infected by Echinococcus tapeworms.
- Giardia– can be found in the feces of humans, along with dogs.
- Hookworms – can result in dog hookworm infections for humans.
- Leptospirosis – affects both humans and animals.
- MRSA – a type of staph infection common with humans that suffer from dog bites.
- Rabies – dogs infected with rabies can also infect humans through their saliva when they bite humans.
Additional diseases reported by the CDC include plague, ringworm, roundworm, salmonellosis, sarcoptic mange, and tickborne diseases.
Proving Liability in a Dog Bite Attack in Chicago
Under Illinois Statute 510 ILCS 5/16, the state’s dog bite laws are established. The state follows a “strict liability” for dog bites, which means that the dog’s owner or guardian is held liable when they inflict injuries, without provocation, onto humans.
With the help of a dog bite attorney, you can work to prove that the dog attacked you and caused the injury. With proper evidence from a thorough investigation, you can also work to prove that you were legally allowed to be at the location where the attack took place.
To learn more about starting your dog bite case, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by phone or online by completing a free case review form.
For a free legal consultation with a Churchill Field Park Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 816-0755
Preventing Dogs from Biting
While you may have just recently been bitten by a dog at Chicago’s Churchill Field Park, there are still ways you can work to prevent dog bites from happening to you or a family member in the future.
According to the AVMA, there are several methods in which the organization recommends for humans to avoid and prevent dog bites from happening to them again:
Educate Family Members
Show your family members how to approach a dog, or tips on avoiding dogs in the first place when in public settings such as Chicago’s Churchill Field Park. This could include avoiding eye contact with dogs or distancing yourself from dogs that are playing with fellow animals.
Socialization
Dogs that do not interact with fellow dogs or humans can act violently when only exposed to them on rare occasions. That is why it is important to socialize dogs in a healthy manner to get them used to interactions with humans and fellow dogs in a safe manner.
Be A Responsible Pet Owner
This can start by not encouraging dogs or provoking them to attack fellow dogs. The AVMA also states that this step includes picking a dog that is right for your family.
Steer Clear of Risky Environments with Dogs
This step advised by the AVMA is similar to educating your family, in that you should always avoid interactions with dogs during specific situations. The AVMA suggests these situations include when the dog is away from its owner, when it is eating, when dogs growl or bark, and more.
Chicago Churchill Field Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney to Learn More About Your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one is seeking legal recourse options from a Chicago Churchill Field Park dog bite lawyer, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is ready to help. Our legal team offers free case consultations when you call us at (800) 816-0755. You can also contact our law firm online 24/7 by completing a free case review form to explain your damages in detail.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form