
Dog bite attacks can happen all over the city of Chicago, especially at public locations such as Fulton River Park. When dog owners bring their pets outside in public, it is their responsibility to ensure their dog does not cause harm to innocent people.
Unfortunately, that is not often the case. When dogs do bite humans, they can leave them with long-lasting and severe injuries. For example, an average of 866 Americans are sent to an emergency department each day for dog bite injuries, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The AHRQ also reports that the average medical costs for dog bite victims is $18,200.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite attack and are in need of a Chicago Fulton River Park dog bite lawyer, contact the personal injury lawyers of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. With 10,000-plus cases resolved and over 50 years’ worth of collective legal experience, you can put your trust into Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to fight for your justice and the financial compensation you deserve.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 to speak with a seasoned and understanding advocate about your dog bite injury claim.
Chicago Dog Bite Laws
Dog bites call for their own laws and statutes for both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. When a dog does attack or injury someone in a public place in which their are lawfully allowed to be, it is the owner that is “liable in civil damage to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby,” per Illinois Statue 510 ILCS 5/16.
In order to establish your right to recover damages from a dog bite attack and injury, you must prove that the dog’s owner was liable. This could also mean any person(s) responsible for the dog at the time of the attack, such as a dog sitter. When proving a case for a dog bite personal injury claim, you must show that the dog attacked, tried to attack, or injured you.
From here, you may also have to prove that you were legally to be at the location in which the accident occurred. Finally, you must also prove that you did not cause or provoke the animal to attack you.
While these rules apply to the Illinois Statutes, you must also consider Chicago’s dog bite laws if your attack happened at Fulton River Park. According to Chicago Municipal Code 7-12-050, a “dangerous animal” is defined as attacking, biting, or injuring a human being or a fellow domestic animal in either public or private settings with no provocation. The municipal code also states that dogs are dangerous when they approach humans with an intent to attack, or if they have been trained to fight or guard humans. Violations of this could lead to a fine of up to $1,000.
Following an attack, animal control will investigate the matter to determine if the dog is in fact a “dangerous animal.” When the dog severely injuries or kills a human or fellow animal, animal control may have the dog euthanized. The owner may also face consequences, such as a $100,000 liability insurance “for each animal declared dangerous for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage,” according to Chicago Municipal Code 7-12-050.
Chicago also has a dog leash law that requires owners to keep their dogs on a leash that is at least six-feet long when walking in public settings, per Chicago Municipal Code 10-36-020. However, the exception to this rule is if there is a posted notice from the City of Chicago that states “dog-friendly areas.”
Another responsibility for a dog owner after an attack is to notify the Animal Care and Control Commission about the situation within 24 hours, according to Chicago Municipal Code 7-12-090.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Dog bite attacks can be traumatic experiences, especially when they involve children. If you have been involved in a dog bite attack, it is important that you follow the below steps in order to preserve your chances of just compensation:
- Treat your wounds by visiting an emergency room or calling 9-11 for an ambulance.
- If able to do so, collect information about the dog and gather contact information from its owner.
- Call the police or animal control to report the attack, explain the type of dog, and to provide details about where the dog bite occurred.
- When healthy enough to do so, collect documentation of evidence, such as pictures from the scene of the attack and even the dog.
When looking to prove fault, you may find it helpful to reach out to a Chicago Fulton River Park dog bite lawyer to be sure you are identifying all responsible parties. When looking to do so, call the personal injury lawyers of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm.
There are over 4.5 million dog bite attacks each year in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Furthermore, there are roughly 800,000 people each year seeking medical treatment for dog bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The AVMA also lists several ways in which you can work to prevent dog bites. Here are five tips for dog bite prevention, per the AVMA:
- Socialize pets to help keep them calm in various situations.
- Pick a dog that’s right for your family and provide it with proper training and exercise. The AVMA also recommends neutering or spaying your pet.
- Educate yourself and your family on how to interact with and approach a dog.
- Avoid petting a dog during risky situations (such as if the dog is playing, away from its owner, if the dog is eating, etc.)
- Consider a dog’s body language at all times before encountering it.
For a free legal consultation with a Fulton River Park Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 816-0755
Contact a Chicago Fulton River Park Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one is in need of a Chicago Fulton River Park dog bite lawyer, the personal injury lawyers of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are here to help you seek justice for your injuries. Go online to complete your free case review today, and begin your steps earning the compensation you deserve to cover your damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Limited earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for more information.
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