Cook County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Attorneys for Dog and Animal Attack Injuries in Chicago, Austin, and Gresham

For many people, dogs and other pets are friendly, loving members of their family and the idea that their animal could turn vicious will never cross most pet owners' minds. However, even when pets are fully domesticated and used to being around people, they can act unexpectedly and bite or attack someone. Those who have been bitten by a dog or injured in an animal attack can suffer injuries that cause severe pain and long-lasting physical and emotional harm. In these cases, victims need a skilled personal injury lawyer on their side who can help them hold a negligent pet owner liable for their injures and damages.

The attorneys of Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. can provide the legal help you need following a dog bite injury, and we will make sure you follow the right steps to document your damages and take legal action against the animal's owner. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our lawyers know the ins and outs of personal injury law, and we are fully prepared to advocate on your behalf and fight to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Liability for Dog Bite Injuries

While people of any age may be injured by dog bites or attacks by other animals, children and elderly people are especially susceptible to serious injuries. Victims of animal attacks may suffer multiple different injuries, including:

• Lacerations - An animal's teeth and claws can cause deep cuts and puncture wounds. In addition to requiring stitches, a person's muscles or internal organs may be damaged. These wounds can cause significant scarring and disfigurement, and cosmetic surgery may be needed to correct the damage. Severe lacerations may also lead to extensive blood loss, especially if bites occur on the neck or affect other major arteries. A victim may also experience nerve damage that could lead to loss of sensation or paralysis in certain parts of the body.
• Broken bones - Many dogs have very strong jaws, and bites can lead to fractured bones in the legs, arms, hands, or wrists.
• Infections - Infectious diseases such as rabies may be transmitted through a dog bite, or a wound may become infected, leading to dangerous health conditions such as sepsis.
• Fall injuries - A person may be knocked down in an animal attack, causing them to suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, dislocated joints, or serious sprains.
• Emotional trauma - Victims of dog bites and animal attacks may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other forms of emotional distress that can affect their ability to complete daily activities and their overall well-being.

In Illinois, the owner of a dog or other animal may be held liable for injuries inflicted by the animal, regardless of whether the animal was known to be dangerous. That is, a dog's owner is responsible for dog bite injuries, even if the dog had never exhibited any aggressive or violent tendencies. The only exceptions to this rule are in cases where a dog was provoked into attacking someone or when a person was bitten by a dog while trespassing on someone else's property.

Contact Our Chicago Animal Attack Lawyers

Dog bite injuries can have serious, long-lasting repercussions on a person's health and well-being, and in some cases, they can even lead to wrongful death. At Karchmar & Lambert, P.C., we will advise you on how to proceed following this type of injury, and we will do everything we can to make sure you are fully compensated for all of your damages, including emergency medical treatment, corrective surgery, physical therapy, loss of income due to a disability, and emotional trauma. To arrange a free consultation, contact our office at 312-977-1300. We provide legal help with injury cases in Chicago and throughout Cook County, including the surrounding suburbs and the neighborhoods of Austin, Pullman, Chatham, South Shore, Garfield Park, Bronzeville, South Shore, Ashburn, Kenwood, Gresham, and Englewood.