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Wheeling Dog Bite Attorney
Wheeling Dog Bite Lawsuits
Dogs are the most common pets, with nearly 50 million U.S. households owning at least one dog. While most dogs are fun-loving companions that will go their entire lives without attacking a human, that is not always the case. More than 1,000 dog bites per day across the United States require roughly 850,000 people to seek medical care related to dog attacks.
At the Wheeling dog bite law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we represent dog bite victims, helping them recover much-needed compensation. Our attorneys are compassionate advocates who take the time to listen to what is important to you and develop a strategy in response to your unique needs.
The Most Dangerous Breeds of Dogs
Most dog breeds are capable of snapping and may attack a person without provocation or notice. However, certain breeds are much more dangerous than others. This may be because of the animal’s size, aggressiveness, or special breed characteristics. For example, Pitbull Terriers are notorious for attacking humans. As a breed, Pitbulls instinctively attack vulnerable parts of their victim’s body, including the head, neck, and groin.
One way of determining the most dangerous breed of dog is to look at the breeds responsible for the highest number of fatal attacks. According to a recent study that examined the number of attacks between 2005 and 2017, Pitbull Terriers are responsible for the vast majority of fatal attacks. Below is more detailed information about the most dangerous breeds of dogs:
- Pitbull Terriers: 284 fatalities (65.6 percent of all fatal dog bites)
- Rottweilers: 45 deaths (10.4 percent of all fatal dog bites)
- German Shepherds: 20 fatalities (4.6 percent of all fatal dog bites)
- American Bulldogs: 15 deaths (3.5 percent of all fatal dog bites)
- Mastiffs: 14 fatalities (3.2 percent of all fatal dog bites)
In addition, mixed-breed animals were responsible for 17 fatal dog attacks, or roughly 4 percent of the total number of fatalities between 2005 and 2017.
Where Do Dog Attacks Occur in Wheeling?
There are many different scenarios and areas where dog bites can happen in Wheeling. The village has plenty of nature paths like the Des Plaines River Trail, as well as 12 neighborhood parks, including Malibu Park, Husky Park, and Northside Park.
Dog encounters can occur outdoors as well as in other places frequented by locals. Wheeling Town Center and Heritage Park are popular gathering spaces in the heart of Wheeling. The village is also known for Restaurant Row along Milwaukee Avenue, which is home to several dog-friendly restaurants like Spears Bourbon Burgers Beer and Superdawg.
Dog bites can occur just about anywhere. No matter where your dog attack took place, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries in Wheeling Dog Bite Cases
While dogs tend to be even-tempered, when they do attack, it can result in various serious injuries. The nature and severity of injuries stemming from an attack depend on a few factors.
Most Wheeling dog attack cases involve the animal biting the victim. This often causes serious damage to the skin, connective tissue, and even bone in the affected area. Typical dog bite injuries include:
- Cuts and lacerations;
- Bruising;
- Torn ligaments;
- Broken bones or fractures; and
- Nerve damage.
Of course, scarring is common as a result of these injuries, as are other types of disfigurement. For example, it is not uncommon for a dog bite victim to lose a finger, hand or foot due to the bite or a required amputation.
Sometimes, however, dog attacks do not necessarily involve a bite. For example, if a dog lunges at you, causing you to fall to the ground, you may suffer a sprained wrist or ankle, or other injuries related to the fall.
Treating Dog Bite Injuries
Treatment and therapies for dog bites can vary depending on the severity of the injury. In all cases, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the bite is deep, puncture wounds are present, or there is a risk of infection.
The first step in treating a dog bite is to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. This helps reduce the risk of infection. An antiseptic solution may be used to clean the wound. Carefully bandage the wound and keep the injured area elevated.
While basic first aid is important in the immediate aftermath of a dog bite, seeing a doctor is vital to prevent complications and dangerous infections. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics, particularly if the dog’s vaccinations are not up to date or if the bite is deep. If there is a concern that the dog may be rabid or its vaccination status is unknown, the dog bite victim will be given a series of rabies vaccinations.
Depending on the severity of the bite, the wound may need to be sutured to promote proper healing. Alternatively, some wounds may be left open to heal by secondary intention. The choice of wound closure method depends on the location and depth of the injury.
In cases of severe dog bites, especially those affecting bones or joints, X-rays may be performed to assess fractures or other injuries. Additionally, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair tissue damage.
When a dog bite causes nerve or muscle damage, physical therapy or rehabilitation may be required to regain function and strength. Additionally, ongoing monitoring of the wound for signs of infection is essential, such as redness, swelling, warmth or pus.
Dog bite therapies are not just limited to physical injuries. Dog bites can be traumatic experiences, especially for children. Psychological counseling may be recommended to help victims cope with the emotional aftermath of a dog bite.
Recovering After a Wheeling Dog Bite
Illinois is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite liability. This means that if another person’s dog bites you, the owner is liable regardless of whether they were negligent. However, to benefit from the strict liability statute, you must:
1. Not have provoked the animal;
2. Be “peaceably conducting” yourself; and
3. Be in a place you are lawfully allowed to be.
If each of these elements applies in your case, it will not matter if the dog’s owner took some steps to prevent the attack.
Of course, not all dog attack cases involve dog bites. Importantly, under Illinois personal injury law, an animal owner is liable for all injuries that are proximately caused by an attack or attempted attack. Thus, if you tripped, fell, and broke your wrist while running from a dog that was chasing you, the owner may still be liable for your injuries.
Time Limit for Filing a Dog Bite Claim
All Wheeling dog bite claims must be filed according to the statute of limitations in Illinois. Dog bite victims have two years from the date of a dog attack in which to bring a personal injury claim.
If the statute of limitations expires, you may no longer be able to pursue compensation. With an experienced Wheeling dog bite attorney handling your case, you can ensure that you do not miss any important deadlines. Additionally, you increase your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve.
Dog Bite Lawyers Who Take Your Injury Personally
What sets Briskman Briskman & Greenberg apart from other law firms is our attentive service, decades of experience, and dedication to obtaining a successful outcome for our clients. To us, you are not just another injured client.
When you trust us to handle your dog bite claim, you can rest assured we will do everything we can to get you maximum compensation for your injury. Your Wheeling dog bite attorney will keep you updated on the developments in your case.
If you suffer a dog bite injury in Wheeling, having an attorney who handles both personal injury cases and dog bite claims is vital. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, our Wheeling dog bite lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and various obstacles that may come up when trying to recover compensation for our injured clients. We are well-versed in all aspects of personal injury and are willing and able to take on even the toughest cases.
Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how our Wheeling dog bite attorneys can help you after your injury. There is no fee unless you win.
Contact the Wheeling Bog Bite Lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
If a dog recently attacked you, your child, or another family member, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg to schedule a free consultation. Since 1987, we have been helping injury victims seek meaningful compensation that allows them to move on more easily with their lives after suffering serious injuries. And, as a part of the Briskman Guarantee, we will never charge you for our representation unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with one of our Wheeling dog bite lawyers, give us a call at 877-595-4878. You can also reach us through our online contact form.
Additional Dog Bite Resources
- Basic Rules on How to Be Safe Around Dogs
- Can You Sue for a Dog Bite?
- Common Places Where Dog Bites Can Happen
- Dog Bite Lawsuit Process
- Home Insurance and Dog Bites
- What Evidence Is Needed For A Dog Bite Lawsuit?
- What Is Strict Liability in a Dog Bite Case?
- Why Do Dogs Bite?
- Dog Bite Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the Post Office Refuse to Deliver Mail Because of a Dog?
- How Do Dogs React to Repellant?
- How Many Dog Bites Occur In The US?
- How to Prevent a Dog Bite?
- How to Treat Dog Bites
- My Child Got Bitten By A Dog; What Are My Next Steps?
- What Breed of Dog Bites the Most?
- What Can I File if I Was Bitten by a Dog During My Delivery?
- What Is Dog Repellant?
- What Is The Total Cost For A Dog Bite Lawyer?
- What Should Letter Carriers Know About Dogs?
- What Should Pet Owners Do Before a USPS Worker Delivers the Mail?
- What to Do If Someone’s Dog Bites You
- When Should Dog Repellant Be Used?
- Where Should I Discard Dog Repellant?
- Which Cities Have the Most Dog Bites?
- Who Do You Contact After A Dog Bite?
- Why Is Dog Repellant Necessary?
- Illinois Dog Bite Laws
- Doordash Dog Bite Lawyers
- How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner
- How to Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer
- Instacart Dog Bite Lawyers
- Is It In a Dog’s Nature to Attack?
- Medical Treatments for Dog Bites
- National Dog Bite Attacks for 2020
- Service Requests Related to Dangerous Animals
- The Pros and Cons of Chicago Dog Parks
- Types of Diseases You Can Get From a Dog Bite
- Types of Dog Bite Scars
- Types of Dogs That Can Cause Serious Injury
- Uber Eats Dog Bite Lawyers
- USPS Dog Bite Lawyers
- What Is Dog Bite Liability Insurance?
- What To Do After a Dog Bite
Dog Bite Lawyers Available Throughout Illinois
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