Dog Bite Cases in Personal Injury

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are around 4.5 million dog bites per year in the United States. Roughly 1 in 5 of these requires medical attention. Dog bite personal injury cases can be complex and may involve legal action against the dog owner. In the United States, dog bite laws vary by state, but most states (including Illinois) have a "strict liability" rule, which means that the owner is responsible for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether or not the owner was negligent.

The compensation for such injuries can take several forms:

Economic Damages

This could include past and future medical costs (including cosmetic treatment of scars), loss of income, loss of the ability to earn income, damaged possessions, psychological treatment costs, and other costs related to the dog bite.

Non-Economic Damages

This includes pain and suffering from the injury, mental anguish, scarring, and other traumas affecting your quality of life.

Punitive Damages

If the attacking dog's owner knew that their dog was violent but let them interact with people anyway, punitive damages may be collected. (This type of compensation varies from state to state.)

If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog there are a few things you must do:

• It is important to seek medical attention immediately as animal bites carry a great risk of infection.

• Be sure to determine the dogs owner and obtain their personal information if possible. At a minimum find out where the dog lives.

• If you can track down the owner be sure to obtain their homeowner's insurance of renter insurance information.

• By tracking down the owner you can also determine if the dog is vaccinated for rabies.

• Get the contact info for any possible witnesses.

• Take pictures of the wound as well as the scene of the incident, including any beware of dog signs.

• and consult with a personal injury attorney who is experienced in dog bite cases. They can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation for your injuries.

If you have been bitten by a dog let the Ferrigno Law Firm obtain the compensation you deserve.