Dog bites and animal attacks can be traumatic and can cause serious injuries. Additionally, dog bites and animal attacks occur with frightening frequency. Over 4.7 million people are injured in the United States every year. What is more, it is estimated that victims of dog bites are plagued by over one billion dollars a year in monetary losses.
Laws concerning animal bites vary on a state by state and area by area basis. Formerly Illinois adhered to the "one free bite" law, which favored animal owners and relieved them from liability because they were considered "unaware" of an animal's violent nature. This law was changed by the Animal Control Act. Now if a dog, or another animal, attacks or injures a person, the owner of the animal is liable for the full amount of the injury.
Chicago Injury Lawyer Helping Victims of Dog Bites and Attacks by Vicious Animals
In addition to state laws, there are specific animal attack laws within local communities such as leash laws, vaccination requirements, and even restrictions on the ownership of certain breeds in some cases. The complexities involved in local and state laws make it wise to contact a skilled animal attack attorney at The Law Offices of Adam J. Zayed, P.C. to help you receive just compensation for your animal attack injuries.
Some of the more common physical ramifications of a dog bite or animal attack are:
- Mild to severe scarring
- Facial disfigurement
- Severed nerves
- Damage to internal organs
- Eye damage
- Blindness
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Post-traumatic stress
Dog bites can arise from a multitude of situations. These are some of the most common:
- Dog bite injury on private property
- Leash law violations
- Attacks resulting from inadequate fencing
- Escaped animals
- Dog bites involving injuries suffered in public areas.
In the event of a dog bite, it is essential that you:
- Seek medical attention
- Report the bite to the police
- Photograph the dog or animal if possible
- Identify owner of the animal
- Identify possible witnesses
- Contact animal control
- Photography injuries
- Photograph and save clothes you were wearing during your injury
- Do not accept communication from the dog owner or the dog owner's insurance company
Dog bites nearly always involve the legal issue of premises liability. In the event of a dog bite or an animal attack, it is possible to recover significant damages against responsible dog owners, landlords, and even homeowners insurance carriers.
The Law Offices of Adam J. Zayed, P.C. is one of the fastest growing personal injury firms in DuPage and Cook Counties. Our convenient Oak Brook location offers easy access to one of the top law firms in the Chicago Metropolitan area.
If you or a family member has been injured by a dog bite, please contact a Chicago dog bite lawyer who will vigorously move your case to resolution. At The Law Offices of Adam J. Zayed, P.C. we have strong relationships with top medical professionals, including plastic surgeons and physical therapists. We have the resources and experience to protect your rights under applicable law and to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injury. Please contact us for a free consultation, or call us at 312-726-1616 in Chicago.
