Chicago’s Winnemac Park is a great place to go for a morning run, watch a beautiful sunset, or walk your dog. However, an enjoyable outing at the park can be quickly destroyed if you or someone you are with is bitten or attacked by a dog.
If you are in pain and suffering because of a dog bite injury you suffered at Chicago Winnemac Park, you have the right to hold the dog owner responsible for your injuries. Though the idea of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can be overwhelming if you are still healing from your injuries, you are not alone.
A Chicago Winnemac Park dog bite lawyer can help by gathering evidence and building a strong case. If you hire a legal representative, they can help you by pursuing damages to cover the costs associated with your injuries. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we work on a contingency-fee basis only, which means we only are paid if we succeed with your case. We ask for nothing up front or out of pocket. For a free review of your case, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755.
Types of Injuries That Dog Bite Victims Experience
There are a wide number of injuries that can occur as a result of a dog attack or bite. A few of the possible injuries that a victim can suffer include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Regardless of the severity of the attack or the bite, the fear that victims experience in those moments can cause severe trauma, especially for young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that in a study of 22 children, nearly half showed signs of PTSD within two to nine months of a bite or attack by a dog. Some of the symptoms that the children displayed included remembering the attack in vivid detail or behavior changes.
Open Wounds
Cuts, lacerations, and punctures are also common in dog attacks. Lacerations or wounds where the skin is torn often cause significant bleeding, resulting in severe scarring or even disfigurement depending on the location of the wound. If the animal bites down, it often creates a puncture wound. According to Healthline, these open wounds may not bleed as much, but depending on the location of the wound can be deep and damage internal organs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If a dog knocks someone down and they hit their head during the fall, the blow to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. and can impair the victim’s memory, cognitive, or emotional functioning.
Damage to Bones and Tissue
Even if the teeth do not penetrate the skin and cause bleeding, the teeth can cause severe damage to the underlying bones and tissue, particularly in the hands, which are typically raised to defend themselves against the attack. The teeth can crush bones or tear muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons, potentially causing long-term damage and disability.
Deadlines for Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Chicago
According to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/13-202), victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit pursuing damages after a dog attack. If you fail to file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out, you are typically barred from recovering any amount of compensation for your injuries.
In general, if you even think there is a possibility you may want to pursue legal action for your injuries, it is helpful to speak to a lawyer and find out what your options are. This can help you make an informed decision about how you want to proceed. Additionally, memories fade over time, and the sooner we begin gathering evidence related to the animal attack, the easier it is to build a case. For a free review of your case, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
For a free legal consultation with a Winnemac Park Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 816-0755
Understanding Illinois’s Dog Bite Statute
Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. According to statute 510 ILCS 5/16, you do not need to show that the owner had any reason to believe that the dog would attack or bite you.
You do need to prove that the animal did, indeed, attack you in Chicago Winnemac Park, where you had a legal right to be, and that the attack was not provoked.
It is important to note that the law specifically applies to cases where the animal was not provoked. A defense lawyer may try to claim that you did provoke the dog in some way and that it bit you as a result of your own behavior. A Chicago Winnemac Park dog bite lawyer can defend you against underhanded tactics like these.
Chicago Winnemac Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Recoverable Damages After a Dog Attack
Some possible damages that you may be able to recover after a dog attack include:
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance rides
- Medication
- Doctor’s examinations
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Property damage
Wrongful Death
If your family member did not survive the attack because of the seriousness of their injuries or complications stemming from the attack, your family may be able to recover damages for their wrongful death. Possible recoverable damages, in this case, include:
- Funeral costs
- Burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Wages and benefits that a family member would no longer receive due to the loss of the deceased
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Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is Here for You
We understand how overwhelmed you may be right now. You were enjoying an outing at the park, and now your life has been turned upside down by a dog.
A Chicago Winnemac Park dog bite lawyer can gather evidence showing that you did not provoke the dog. They can calculate the extent of your injuries, including the cost of your pain and suffering. They can also negotiate to pursue a fair settlement for your case.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is here to take the burden off you during this stressful time. Let us help. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755.
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