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Are Untrained Dogs More Likely To Attack and Bite?
It is said that dogs are man’s best friends. That may be true in most cases, but dog attacks and bites happen far too often. Along with the potentially severe physical injuries, victims can also suffer from mental and psychological trauma. If you think about dog attacks, you may assume the dog is an aggressive breed or has been mistreated, but that is not always the case.
Training and socialization — or the lack thereof — affect a dog’s behaviors and responses. Even if dog owners are not financially able to have their pets trained professionally, there are still things they can do on their own to reduce the likelihood of attacks. If a dog bite injured you or your child, the skilled lawyers at Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC can help you hold its owner accountable.
Why Do Dogs Attack or Bite?
Even a generally docile dog may attack in some situations, particularly when provoked. Several factors make bites more likely, such as:
When Are Dog Owners Not Liable for Bites or Attacks?
Often called "man’s best friends," dogs can make great companions. Unfortunately, they can also be dangerous. Dog attacks can include knockdowns, bites, and severe emotional trauma; they may also cause secondary accidents that further injure victims.
Each state has laws that define a dog owner’s responsibilities and liability if the animal attacks someone. Are you familiar with Illinois dog bite laws? Is the dog’s owner always liable for injuries sustained in an attack? Our experienced DuPage County dog bite injury lawyers answer these vital questions.
What Is the Illinois Dog Bite Law?
In many Illinois cases involving animal attacks — dogs and other kinds of animals as well — the owner is liable to compensate injured victims. This is true even if the animal has never attacked or bitten anyone, and the owner did not know the animal has aggressive tendencies.
Dog Bite Risks for Postal Workers in Illinois
Anyone can accidentally trigger aggression in a dog and be at risk of getting bitten. For postal workers who are out and about doing their job regardless of whether there is "snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night," the chances of encountering a dog during a delivery shift are quite high. As a result, they face a particular risk of dog bites. If you are a postal worker, you need to understand your legal rights if you are bitten by a dog while doing your job. Speak with a dedicated Cook County, IL dog bite attorney to find out more.
Why Do Postal Workers Have a Higher Risk of Getting Bitten?
While doing their job, postal workers often encounter dogs. Sometimes, the dogs are family pets at residential properties where they deliver the mail. Other times, they might encounter unleashed and unrestrained dogs walking around a neighborhood. Last month, the U.S. Postal Service launched a national awareness campaign about dog bites. As part of the campaign, it released data showing how dog bites are among the biggest hazards postal workers face.
Injuries Beyond Bites: Additional Risks of Dog Attacks
When people think about how dogs can cause injuries, dog bites often come to mind. If an aggressive dog chases you down and manages to bite you, the resulting injury can be severe. However, dog attacks can result in several other types of injury. If you are attacked by a dog and seeking compensation for your injuries that go beyond bite wounds, a skilled Kane County, IL dog attack lawyer can help you navigate the legal implications and explain your options.
Non-Bite Injuries from Dog Attacks
Dog bites are the most commonly recognized way people can get injured in dog attacks, but they are not the only way. Other injuries that can occur from dog attacks include:
- Emotional and psychological suffering: Recurring nightmares, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological issues can be caused by the experience of being attacked by a dog, even if the dog does not bite.
What Dog Breeds Are Considered More Dangerous than Others?
People like to say dogs are man’s best friend, but they probably would not feel that way if they were viciously attacked by one. Dogs have been domesticated, and many people have them as family pets, but the truth is that they are descended from wolves, and many still have their wild instincts. While some kinds of dogs can be very well trained and others are mostly harmless, there are still some dog breeds historically considered vicious and dangerous.
Some people choose to keep these kinds of dogs around as a security measure, as they can serve as guard dogs. They can alert their owners if they feel someone is doing something wrong, and they can attack people they perceive as dangers to their owners. However, dogs are not perfect, they can misidentify an innocent person as a threat, and they can pose a serious risk to the people around them. This article will review some of the dog breeds that are considered the most dangerous. If you have been injured by a dog bite, an experienced Will County dog bite lawyer can review what happened and advise you whether there are any breed-related liabilities involved.
Who Is Liable When an Unleashed Dog Bites Someone in Illinois?
An unsupervised and unleashed dog can pose a serious risk to its surroundings. Even a generally tame and disciplined dog can present a threat. If, for example, it runs over to a dog that does not get along well with other dogs and they begin to fight, that other dog and people around could be injured. For another example, a well-behaved and well-meaning dog could walk over to someone with a serious phobia of dogs who could accidentally run into oncoming traffic to avoid the dog. Of course, if the dog is not tame and left to wander freely, this could pose a risk to people around as well. Dog bites can sometimes require immediate and serious medical attention and can result in a timely and expensive recovery process. If you were bitten by an unleashed dog, speak with a DuPage County, IL dog bite lawyer to formulate a plan for your compensation.
PTSD in Children After a Dog Bite in Illinois
It is estimated that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in this country each year. More than half of those bitten are children. Dog bite injuries in children are often more severe than in adults because of how vulnerable their size leaves them. While much is focused on the physical injuries children suffer in dog attacks, parents and caregivers must be aware of the psychological impact the attack can have. It is estimated that almost half of children who suffer a dog bite injury will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If a dog has bitten your child, it is important to speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer to find out what legal recourse you may have.
Signs of PTSD
When a child experiences a dog bite, the event can be deeply distressing, causing intense fear, pain, and feelings of helplessness. The sudden and unexpected nature of the attack can shatter a child's sense of safety and security, leaving lasting emotional scars. Moreover, the physical injuries resulting from the bite can compound the psychological trauma, serving as constant reminders of the terrifying encounter.
Pursuing Damages in an Illinois Dog Bite Injury Case
Although we love our dogs, the reality is that they are still animals, and even what appears to be the best-behaved dog can bite someone. There are a variety of reasons why a dog may bite, but – regardless of those reasons – the owner or person responsible for the dog can be held liable for any losses the person who is bitten suffers because of those injuries. The type of compensation depends on various factors, such as the severity of the bite and the circumstances surrounding the incident. These cases can be complex, so you should consult an Illinois personal injury lawyer.
Determining Liability for the Bite
When someone suffers a dog bite injury, the first step is to seek medical attention promptly. Not only is this essential for one's health and well-being, but it also establishes a medical record documenting the extent of the injury, which can be crucial in legal proceedings.
Who Is Liable for My Dog Bite?
When a person has wrongfully suffered a dog bite from someone else’s dog, Illinois law allows that person (plaintiff) to pursue legal action to collect damages for the losses their injuries have caused. When filing a claim, it is important that the correct party or parties who are liable be held accountable, but it is not always clear where that liability lies. An Illinois dog bite lawyer can help make that determination. The following are some of the potential parties.
Property Owners
If the dog bite occurred on someone else's property, the owner may be named as the defendant (the at-fault party). In some cases, the plaintiff may pursue legal action against the property owner for negligence or failure to control the dog, especially if the dog had a history of aggressive tendencies that the owner was aware of or should have been aware of.
Potential Infections from Dog Bites
Not only can dog bites be painful, but they can also lead to a variety of infections, some of which can be serious or even fatal. Infections resulting from dog bites can vary in severity, depending on factors such as the size of the wound, the location of the bite, and the cleanliness of the dog's mouth. While dogs are often considered loyal companions, it is important to realize that they are still animals with the potential to cause harm if frightened or provoked. If you or a loved one are bitten by a dog and suffer damages, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to see what your legal options may be.
Cellulitis
One of the most common infections that can develop from a dog bite is cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can occur when bacteria from the dog's mouth enter the wound. Symptoms of cellulitis include redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness around the bite area. Left untreated, cellulitis can spread to other parts of the body, leading to more severe complications.
Contact an Illinois Dog Bite Attorney
If you have suffered a dog bite injury, our personal injury lawyers can help you determine the actual value of the damages you have suffered, and we will work to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at 630-552-6860 or fill out the form below to arrange a free consultation.
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1730 Park Street, Suite 202, Naperville, IL 60563 630-420-1000 |
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134 N. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 630-529-4761 |
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900 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard, IL 60148 630-932-9100 |
