If you were recently injured from a dog bite at Chicago’s Norwood Dog Park, you should know your legal rights in order to pursue compensation from the liable party. These types of injuries can result in serious injuries, and even some diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A dog bite attack may leave you with many questions, and you might be weighing your options after the incident. After you have received proper medical attention for your dog bite-related injuries, consider speaking to a Chicago Norwood Dog Park dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Our Chicago personal injury law firm has over 50 years’ worth of legal experience and insight into practice areas such as dog bites.
When dogs attack innocent people in public settings, such as Norwood Dog Park, it can leave the victim with long-lasting injuries, depending on the dog and the circumstances surrounding the attack. Regardless, you have legal recourse options. To learn about your legal rights, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm online by completing a free case review, or call (800) 816-0755.
How Expensive and Common are Dog Bites?
Unfortunately, dog bites are fairly common across the U.S., let alone in the State of Illinois. Back in 2013, Illinois was listed in the top three states for dog bite insurance claims, according to NBC Chicago. The report also mentions that insurance company State Farm processed 309 dog bite claims that year for a total of $8.9 million, which was the second-highest in the U.S.
Across the country, $797 million in homeowners insurance was paid out in 2019 for dog bite liability claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The injuries from dog bites are even more alarming, as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that nearly 27,000 people required reconstructive surgery after a dog bite in 2018.
Furthermore, Dogsbite.org released a statistic that states 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S., and one out of five bites become infected. Additionally, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that the average hospital stay for Americans in 2008 for treating dog bite injuries was $18,200.
These statistics show us the extreme financial constraints a dog bite injury could put on anyone, as well as depict how common they can be. After a dog bite attack at Norwood Dog Park, be sure to take precautions in order to preserve your legal rights.
What to do After a Dog Bite at Norwood Dog Park
There are several steps you should take after your dog bite attack at Norwood Dog Park, some of which you may have already done. Here are several steps to consider when faced with a dog bite, which can all help you when interested in pursuing an injury claim for financial compensation:
- Treat your injuries as quickly as possible. For minor wounds, the CDC recommends using soap and water, but for more severe cases, you should seek medical attention from your local hospital.
- Collect contact information on the dog owner and the dog itself. This may include the owner’s phone number and address, along with the dog’s name and breed.
- Call either your local police department or animal control agency. By doing so, you will have a report of the accident, and you can also learn if the dog has any infections, such as rabies.
- Document the scene of the accident (if able to do so) by collecting photos of your injuries and of the dog. You can also keep the clothes you wore when the injury took place.
For more help gathering evidence to build your case against a dog owner, contact a Chicago Norwood Dog Park dog bite lawyer to determine your legal recourse options and to identify your damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Norwood Dog Park Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 816-0755
Illinois’ Strict Liability Laws
Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/16, a “strict liability” law is in place to determine who is responsible for the attack. Strict liability means the dog owner is at fault for a dog bite attack, provided that the victim can prove:
- The dog attacked or injured the plaintiff.
- The plaintiff was legally allowed to be at the spot of the attack.
- There was no provocation involved that could have caused the dog to bite the plaintiff.
Other states follow a “one-bite” rule, which means that the dog owner is afforded one bite before they can be held liable. This means that after one attack, or bite, the dog will then be considered a “dangerous animal.”
Under Chicago Municipal Code 7-12-050, a dangerous animal is defined as an animal that bites, injures, or kills a human or other domestic animal without being provoked at either a public or private location. A dog can also be considered a dangerous animal if they have been trained to inflict harm or chase humans with an intent to harm them without provocation.
Chicago Norwood Dog Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Start Your Free Consultation with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
When faced with a dog bite injury at Norwood Dog Park, a Chicago Norwood Dog Park dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you collect compensation to cover all of your damages. Depending on your unique case’s details, you may be left with a variety of damages, both economical and non-economical.
After conversing with your medical experts and reviewing your medical evidence, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can confidently put a monetary value on these damages. All in all, your personal injury claim from a Norwood Dog Park dog attack could include the following demands for compensation:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Limited earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
To learn more, or to get started with one of our Chicago dog bite lawyers, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755. You may also reach us 24/7 online by completing a free case review.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form