Personal Injury Law Blog

Most people are very familiar with dogs and have developed an inherent trust of these animals. And, for the most part, this trust is not misplaced. The vast majority of dogs make great pets and companions and will go their whole lives without inflicting any serious harm. However, that is not the case for all dogs. Whether it’s due to animal abuse or maltreatment, an aggressive breed, or just a fluke, sometimes dogs attack people, and when they do, the results can be catastrophic.

If you’ve recently been bitten by a dog, chances are that you have a lot of questions. This post is intended to answer some of them. Of course, you may have additional questions, in which case, we encourage you to reach out to one of the experienced Lake County dog bite lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for assistance. We offer free consultations and will never pressure you to move forward with your case.

How Common Are Dog Bites?

While it may come as a surprise, dog bites are actually quite common. In fact, there are more than 4.5 million people who are attacked by a dog each year in the United States. Illinois sees more dog bites than most states. In fact, according to one source, Illinois residents suffer the second-highest number of dog bites in the nation.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

If you’ve been attacked by a dog, read on to learn about the steps you can take to protect your health and possibly hold the animal’s owner financially responsible for your injuries.

Get Checked Out by a Doctor

After a dog bite, the most important thing to do is immediately seek medical treatment. In some cases, it’s clear that a dog bite victim suffered serious injuries, such as broken bones. However, even in those cases where a bite seems minor, the risk of infection is significant. In fact, a 2015 study found that up to 25 percent of all dog bites become infected.

Document Everything

As soon as you are able to, it is important to write down important information about the animal attack. For example, you can jot down where the attack occurred, what kind of dog attacked you, the name of the owner (if you know), who removed the animal from the scene, and where you received medical care. This information may become critical to a dog bite lawsuit, should you choose to file one.

Report the Attack

In Lake County, residents can contact Lake County Animal Care & Control (AC&C) to report the bite. Animal Care and Control is the government organization that tracks all bites and helps to identify those dogs that are deemed “vicious.” Filing a report can also be useful in a subsequent dog bite claim, as it serves as proof of the attack.

Speak with a Lake County Dog Bite Lawyer

Once you are well on the road to recovery, the next step is to contact a Lake County dog bite law firm and have them review your case. Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite liability. Thus, dog owners are generally liable for any injuries their animals inflict on others. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and it is important you know what they are before filing your case. A dog bite lawyer will be able to advise you of all your rights and how to most effectively pursue them.

Were You Recently Attacked by a Vicious Dog?

If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a dog in Lake County, reach out to the experienced personal injury attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for immediate assistance. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we understand the difficulties you are facing in the wake of an animal attack, and we want to do whatever we can to help. We offer free consultations to all dog bite victims, and if you decide to bring us on board your case, we will not bill you for our services unless we can recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Lake County dog bite lawyer today, give us a call at 877-595-4878. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.