Dog bites can cause serious injuries and debilitating health consequences. These consequences include permanent scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, and emotional trauma. Bite victims may require extensive and expensive medical treatment—with no guarantee of a complete physical recovery.
If you have suffered serious bodily injuries due to a canine attack, you could be entitled to financial compensation. With the help of a dedicated injury attorney, you might be able to hold the owner of the dog that bit you accountable. You could learn more about your options during an initial consultation with a Palatine dog bite lawyer at The Kryder Law Group.
Dog owners can be liable for injuries caused by their pets under certain circumstances. According to 510 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/16, a dog owner is legally responsible for any harm caused by their dog, regardless of past behavior or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s dangerous nature. State law holds that if a dog—without provocation—injures a person in a place where they are legally allowed to be, then the dog owner must pay for any resulting injuries. This law applies not only to bites but also to other types of animal attacks.
While that means the owner of the dog that bit you is likely accountable for the attack, it does not mean your case is guaranteed to succeed. There are defenses the owner could rely on, including allegations that you trespassed on private property or otherwise provoked the animal to attack. A skilled Palatine attorney could make the case that you are entitled to compensation following a dog bite regardless of these defenses.
Any time you are bitten by a dog, there is always the possibility of punctures, bruising, and damage to the skin. However, the consequences of a dog attack can be far more severe than that. Deep punctures can damage muscles and organs or lead to dangerous blood loss. These bites can also result in scarring or disfigurement that will follow you forever.
Dog bites can result in lasting health consequences even when the wound seems minor at first. A bite to the hand could result in nerve damage that lasts for the rest of your life. You could also be at risk of infection or disease, which could carry steep health consequences.
Dog bites can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences for anyone that lives through an attack. Even when the physical scars fade, emotional trauma could linger for the rest of your life. Financial compensation as part of a personal injury lawsuit might not undo that trauma, but it could prepare you to move forward with the necessary resources. Some of the damages you might be able to recover in these cases include:
You might not be aware of all the types of monetary damages available in your personal injury case. To learn more about your options, get in touch with a seasoned dog bite lawyer in Palatine.
Do not let a dog attack upend your life forever. With a successful injury lawsuit, you could recover damages that pay for your medical bills and put you on solid financial ground. Reach out to a Palatine dog bite lawyer at The Kryder Law Group as soon as possible.