Dog Bite LawyerFreeburg, IL

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

Dogs may be man's best friend, but that doesn't always mean they are friendly. Dogs can be dangerous if they feel threatened or if they aren't trained right, and often, under these circumstances they will bite. Dog bites should always be taken seriously, even from smaller dogs. They have sharp teeth by design. When you've been bitten by a dog, what should you do? What are your options?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Freeburg that will hold the dog owner accountable for their animals actions and make sure that you get the FULL recovery you deserve. Your dog bite lawsuit is going to need the guidance of a lawyer in Freeburg. 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 Freeburg - 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. In Missouri, the pet owner is liable for the damage the dog causes, however, the person bit, if they were partially liable for the bite, they will only be able to recover the amount they weren't liable for. 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 means that a person will be liable for the portion of the damages they either caused or were harmed by because of their failure to act in a reasonable way.

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 they were in an area they are legally allowed to be in, and they were bitten by the dog without provocation, the dog owner is going to be fully liable for the damages. The reverse of this situation also places more blame on the person bit if they were trespassing and provoking the animal.

So what should you take from these dog bite laws? If you were somewhere you have legal right to be, and you were attacked by a dog and the dog owner acted negligently in securing their animal, you may not be liable for any of the damages at all. If you provoked the dog, or if you were trespassing and were attacked by the dog, you will hold liability on the attack. 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 use their mouths as their hands. They will eat just about anything that's on the ground, and this can mean that their mouths can be dirty and filled with 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?

You first have to determine whether you can tend to your injuries, or whether you are facing a medical emergency. If you can't perform first aid on your wounds, go to the hospital immediately. 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 - Soap and water are a good tool to get the wound clean. Take your time and clean around the wound to make sure no further bacteria gets into it.
• Third - Take a clean cloth and place it over the wound to stop the bleeding.
• Fourth - If you have any antibiotics, apply them now. It may sting to apply the antibiotic, however, if you don't do it the chances of infection growing in the wound will be high.
• Fifth - The wound should now be wrapped to make sure it stays as clean as possible. You should now go see your doctor.
• Sixth - Your doctor will know what to do next regarding the dog bite. They will let you know if further medical treatment is needed.
• Seventh - Make sure to watch your wound in the follow weeks. 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. Which dogs are more likely to bite someone? 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 Freeburg, IL - We can Help

When dogs attack someone it's because of negligence. If the dog owner was a responsible owner you wouldn't have been attacked by the dog. This fact absolutely matters. 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 Freeburg have fought dog bite lawsuits before, and we know how to make sure you get the FULL care and recovery 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.