Parks are supposed to be places to unwind and enjoy a pleasant day. Unfortunately, there have been many cases of dog attacks throughout Chicago—more than 2,100 dog bites were reported to the Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control in 2012, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Many dog bites take place in our city’s many parks, specifically at the Chicago Park No. 556 dog-friendly area. While dogs should certainly have some space to have fun in the city, there is no excuse for being bitten by a dog because of someone else’s negligence when you are simply trying to go about your day. If a dog has attacked you in the Logan Square dog park, a Chicago Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area dog bite lawyer can fight to protect your right to possible compensation.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has provided legal assistance in many Chicago dog bite cases. A dog bite accident can cause severe physical, psychological, and financial trauma to a victim. That is why we fight to get our clients awarded compensation after what they have been put through. While no case is guaranteed a payout, we will do our part in investigating every aspect of what took place so the responsible parties can be held accountable.
We are happy to offer all victims a free consultation with one of our team members. For more information, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755. The sooner you call, the sooner our attorneys can get started on your case.
What Happens After a Dog Bite in Chicago
Chicago Municipal Code § 7-12-090 requires the owner of a dog that bites another person to report the attack within 24 hours to Chicago Animal Care and Control. The department then investigates whether to designate the dog as a dangerous animal, defined as “any animal which bites, inflicts injury on, kills or otherwise attacks a human being…without provocation on any public or private property.”
In addition, 510 ILCS 5/16 makes the dog owner liable for any injuries suffered due to an unprovoked dog bite.
Both laws can be helpful when determining liability and compensation for your injuries. You may also have a claim against the city if its negligent acts while maintaining the Chicago Park No. 556 dog friendly area facilitated the dog bite incident.
Factors Used to Determine Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Every dog bite case is unique, but if you decide to retain the services of an attorney, they can seek compensation for every aspect of your pain and suffering, which could include mental, physical, and financial hardships.
While there will likely be documentation that proves any physical and financial suffering, mental suffering (also known as non-economic damages) can be harder for a court to assign a dollar value. Your attorney can fight to have the court understand the true extent of your mental anguish so a satisfactory amount may potentially be reached for what you have had to endure.
There are specific categories of damages that your attorney will look deeper to address in any potential settlement. These areas can include, but may not be limited to:
- Financial damages: This aspect will most likely be documented through medical bills and can include any treatments, surgeries, medication, or rehabilitation needed for your injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) details how dog bites can transfer diseases that have severe consequences on the human body, such as rabies and Capnocytophaga.
- Loss of wages: This category includes both wages lost while out of work recovering from your injuries and future wage losses due to the inability to work in your previous profession.
- Mental anguish: Also known as pain and suffering, this category can include damages to compensate for marital problems or strained relationships within your family. Further, any ensuing mental conditions may be addressed, which commonly include anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brought on by the dog bite.
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury, it is never a bad idea to begin saving any applicable financial documents related in any way to your attack. A Chicago Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area dog bite lawyer will try to document every aspect of your suffering so the court can see just how much you have lost.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our team can negotiate with the responsible parties, their attorneys, their insurance company, and anybody else in their camp. If held liable for your injuries, they should be tasked with making sure you are financially stable after it is all over.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm would love to speak with you about your legal options moving forward. Call us today for your free consultation with a team member.
For a free legal consultation with a Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 816-0755
Chicago Dog Bite Lawyers on Your Team
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the average cost of a stay in the hospital after a dog bite-related injury was around $18,200, which is 50% higher than other hospital stays.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not think that victims should be required to pay for exorbitant bills that resulted from another person’s negligence. Whether you or a loved one suffered a broken bone, an infection, a muscle tear, or other injuries due to a dog attack, a Chicago Park No. 556 Dog Friendly Area dog bite lawyer can help document your overall pain and suffering and carry on your fight for compensation.
Our team will be there, so you do not need to feel alone while you fight this injustice. To learn more about our services surrounding Chicago Park No. 566 Dog Friendly Area dog attacks, contact a Pintas & Mullins Law Firm team member today at (800) 816-0755 for your free consultation.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form