Dog Bite LawyerChatham, IL

Well-trained dogs should never bite or attack anyone. If you've been bitten, we can help.

We often forget how dangerous dogs can be. We have to remember that dogs are animals, and when they feel threatened or are poorly trained, they can be destructive. Dog bites should always be taken seriously, even from smaller dogs. Their teeth are made to puncture and tear. What are the actions you should take following a dog bite, and what are your options legally?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Chatham that is dedicated to aggressively fighting for the rights of dog bite victims. Your dog bite claim could be complex, and without the assistance of an experienced dog bite lawyer in Chatham you could get less of a recovery than you deserve. Our team will fight for your full rights and make sure that you get the physical and financial recovery you are owed. If you have any question about our personal injury firm, or how our dog bite lawyers will handle your dog bite case, call our team at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorneys fees unless we win your dog bite lawsuit.

Dog Bite Lawyer Chatham - Know Your Rights

Here are the Missouri and Illinois laws governing dog bite lawsuits.

For Missouri, Statute 273.036 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. For Missouri, the dog owner will be liable for the damages caused by the dog, minus the portion that the person bit is liable for the dog bite. This means that if someone provoked the animal and caused the dog to bite them, then they will be liable for a portion of their damages. However, if the dog escaped the yard or leash, and the person bit took no actions to provoke the dog, then the pet owner will hold liability. This type of law is known as Comparative Negligence, which clarifies that a person will be liable in a lawsuit for the percentage they are responsible for the accident.

For Illinois, Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. Illinois's law is similar to that of Missouri's wherein an owner is liable for the damage caused by a dog according to how much the person bit was responsible for the damages. If the person had a legal right to be in the area they were in when they were bit, and they did not provoke the dog, the pet owner will be held fully liable. If the dog was provoked, and the person was in an area they weren't legally entitled to be in, the person bitten will be liable for a portion of the damages.

So what should you take from these dog bite laws? If you weren't trespassing, weren't taunting the dog, and had no reason for the dog to attack you, you won't be held to any liability for the attack. If you were taunting the dog and it attacked you, or if you were in an area you didn't have the legal right to be in, you will be held liable as well. Never provoke a dog, it's just not a smart nor safe thing to do.

What do I do after I've been bitten by a dog?

Dogs don't really mind too much what they put in their mouths. Dogs really don't care about what they eat until it's too late, and this often means they eat nasty things that are full of dangerous bacteria. In the event that you've been bitten by a dog and you have puncture wounds, what should you do? What steps should you take immediately following a dog bite?

It's important to decide whether you can perform first aid on the bite, or whether you need to go to the emergency room. If you are losing a significant amount of blood, you need to immediately go to the hospital. Call 911. They will be able to help you.

If you can perform first-aid on your wounds, what should you do? There are a few steps that you can immediately take to treat a dog bite wound so that doesn't get worse or get infected.

• First - Apply pressure to the wound to cause bleeding in an attempt to flush out any bacteria/dirt or debris that may be in the wound. The wound needs to be cleared before you can clean it further.
• Second - Use soap and water to clean the wound thoroughly. Take your time and clean around the wound to make sure no further bacteria gets into it.
• Third - Use a clean cloth to stop the bleeding or slow it down as much as possible.
• Fourth - Antibiotics should now be applied to the wound to make sure all foreign bacteria is destroyed. It may still be painful to touch the wound, but applying the antibiotic is very important.
• Fifth - With the antibiotic applied, wrap the wound with a sterile bandage and with gauze if needed. You should now go see your doctor.
• Sixth - Your doctor is going to see to your bite and may give you medicine to make sure it is fully treated. They will let you know if further medical treatment is needed.
• Seventh - Pay close attention to your wound following the doctor visit. If it gets worse, go back for further medical care.

Here are a few of the most common bacterial infections that occur with dog bites:

• Staph Infection - Staph infections are common in dog bites if the wound isn't properly cleaned and taken care of.
• Pasteurella multocida - This dog bite infection can lead to skin necrosis, and other serious health issues such as meningitis, otitis, pyogenic arthritis, brain abscess and more.
• Capnocytophaga - You can get a Capnocytophaga Infection from a dog bite. These infections are serious, and can cause heart attacks, organ failure, gangrene and can even lead to the amputation of limbs.

Which Dog Breeds are most likely to bite?

Certain dog breeds have a higher chance to bite than others. Statistically, which dogs are more likely to bite people? Here are a few answers to that question:

This article from the CDC gives a comprehensive breakdown of Dog Bite Related Fatalities, and which breeds were most responsible for those fatalities.

This link houses several different statistics regarding dog bite studies, dog bite fatalities, dog bite fatality citations, and more.

Here are the dog breeds most responsible for dog bites and dog attacks:

Dog Bite Lawyer Chatham, IL - We can Help

When dogs attack someone it's because of negligence. If the pet owner took the time to properly care for the dog, chances are that you would not have been bitten or attacked by the animal. This is the deciding factor. Negligent actions can cause damages, and when they do, the individual who caused those damages can be held liable for the act. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Chatham have taken on dog bite lawsuits before and can ensure that you're given the quality care and legal advice that you deserve. Our Dog Bite Lawyers will take your claim seriously, and we're more than willing to take your dog attacks lawsuit to court to make sure you get the respect you deserve. To learn more about our Firm, our practices, or how we can help you with your claim, call our team at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don't charge any fees for our consultations, and we never ask for any attorneys fees unless we win your dog bite lawsuit.