Each year, 4.7 million people in the United States suffer dog bites, and one in five of these cases require medical attention. A high percentage of them become infected and require antibiotics.
Additionally, each year, 30,000 people need reconstructive surgeries as a consequence of serious injuries suffered from dog bites. A dog bite injury can also be psychologically harmful, especially in children who may develop fear and/or become emotionally distressed when these animals are in their presence.
Visual scars can also be traumatic for victims who have been disfigured by one of these bites. If you, your child, or someone close to you have been a victim of a dog bite, you should contact Conexión Legal shortly to receive the best free consultation, and seek with a dog bite attorney the highest possible compensation in Chicago.
The Laws Protect You
If you are a victim of a dog bite or attack that occurred in Illinois, Chicago, it is important that you understand the laws that may apply to this type of lawsuit.
This is a state with strict liability, which means that when a person is bitten by a dog and suffers injuries, the injured party can sue for damages against the person or persons who own or care for the dog, provided that the following conditions are met:
- The injury was caused by the dog.
- The defendant or defendants own and/or have care of the dog.
- The dog was not provoked by the injured person; and
- The injured person was in an authorized location to be.
In Chicago, in accordance with a citizen complaint regarding a dog bite, dog attack, or threatening dog behavior, an animal control investigator will prepare a written report to determine whether a dog is dangerous or not.
In the event that the dog is declared dangerous by animal control, this entity may order the euthanasia of the dog in circumstances where it has caused serious injuries or death.
When the dog has been declared dangerous but euthanasia has not been ordered, then the dog owner must comply with the following requirements:
- The owner must confine the dog within a dog cage in their yard.
- The dog must wear a muzzle when it leaves the owner's property.
- A sign must be posted on the owner's property warning about the dangerous dog.
- The owner must implant a microchip under the animal's skin at their own expense.
- The dog owner must spay or neuter their animal at their own expense.
- The dog owner must obtain and maintain dog liability insurance; and
- The dog owner must complete an animal obedience training course.
In 2013, the state of Illinois ranked second in dog bite incidents, with 309 claims and $8.9 million dollars paid by insurers that year.
Dog-related injuries in the United States represent up to one-third of the homeowner's liability insurance money spent on claims in 2016. This totaled more than $600 million dollars.
During 2016, 6,750 United States Postal Service workers reported dog attacks, which represents 200 more incidents than reported in 2015.
In the United States in 2015, more than 28,000 people had reconstructive surgery due to dog bites. From 1993 to 2008, there has been an 86 percent increase in hospitalizations due to dog-related injuries.
At a 50 percent increase of a stay for personal injury, dog bites cost an average of $18,200 dollars per hospital visit.
Adults who own 2 or more dogs at home are five times more likely to suffer a dog-related injury than those who live with dogs at home.
For all the foregoing reasons, if you were a victim of an attack by one of these pets, you should immediately contact Conexión Legal so that our team of expert attorneys in the matter can provide you with the best free consultation, and help you obtain the highest possible compensation.
Call us at 1800 201 1220 or write to us through WhatsApp to obtain all the necessary information to represent you in court.
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