Dog Bites
According to the CDC, nearly 5 million individuals are bitten by dogs on an annual basis here in the US, approximately 20% of which need medical attention. Sadly, a small number of fatalities occur – usually among the elderly and toddlers – when the attack is severe enough. Furthermore, some survivors are left permanently disfigured, scarred, and traumatized by the experience. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an animal attack or bitten by a dog, the personal injury lawyers in Waukegan, Niles and St. Charles of the Makarone Law Firm will help you recover compensation for damages from the owner of the animal.
Most individuals envision the disfigurement and scarring that can result from an animal attack. In many cases, dog bite injuries heal and improve. However, many more don’t and are permanent. In past cases that our personal injury lawyers in Waukegan, Niles and St. Charles have litigated, we’ve seen clients that have needed amputations, suffered with mobility issues, or are fully or partially paralyzed as a result. There have also been cases where the victim developed a disease or infection because of the germs in the mouth of the dog that bit them.
No matter how minor or severe the attack is, getting bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience for anyone. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, the victim often develops emotional or psychological issues. The Makarone Injury Lawyer personal injury lawyers have seen clients suffering with depression, flashbacks of the attack, and nightmares about it. PTSD is another common consequence of dog bites and animal attacks. These may persist for a while, eventually dissipating, while others suffer for the rest of their lives. That is why you need a good lawyer to assist you with your claim to get the damages.
Dog bites and other animal attacks are covered under Illinois 510 ILCS 5/16 – more commonly known as the “Dog Bite Law” or statute. The law states that in order to prove liability on the part of the animal owner, you must show the following:
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog and you did nothing to provoke the animal, you could be entitled to compensation for your financial losses attributed to the attack. For more information, call the Makarone Law Firm and speak with a personal injury lawyer in Waukegan, Niles and St. Charles. We are here to help you.
