Dog Bite LawyerHighland, 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. A dog will bite if it feels threatened, or if it's poorly trained and confined. Dog bites are no joke, even from little dogs. They have sharp teeth by design. When a dog bites you, you have legal recourse to make the situation right. But what are your rights?

Burger Law is a Personal Injury Law Firm in Highland 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 Highland. Our team can guide you through your dog bite lawsuit and make sure that you get the full recovery you are owed, both physically and financially. 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 Highland - 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. The dog owner will be liable for the damages caused, minus the percentage that the person bit was liable for the attack. 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. If the dog bit someone and was not provoked, as in the case of a dog escaping the yard or a leash, the dog owner will be fully liable for the damages caused by the dog. This type of law is known as Comparative Negligence, which dictates that a person will only be able to recover the amount which they weren't liable for the accident.

For Illinois, Statute 510 ILCS 5/16 details liability in Dog Bite Lawsuits. Illinois law is quite similar to Missouri's. 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 person bit did provoke the dog, and they were also trespassing, they will hold more of the liability for the accident.

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 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. If you've been bitten by a dog, what should you immediately do to take care of the wound?

You first have to determine whether you can tend to your injuries, or whether you are facing a medical emergency. 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 - Applying pressure to the wound will cause it to bleed, but it will also cause any dirt or any other foreign debris to be pushed out of the wound. The wound has to be cleaned out before you can safely proceed.
• Second - Use soap and water to clean the wound thoroughly. If there is any dirt or saliva or other things around the wound, clean those off as well.
• Third - Use a clean, unused cloth to stop the bleeding.
• Fourth - If you have any antibiotics, apply them now. It may still be painful to touch the wound, but applying the antibiotic is very important.
• Fifth - The wound now needs to be wrapped so that it can stay clean. Now that the wound is under control, go see your doctor.
• Sixth - Your doctor will be able to make sure the wound is ok and not getting worse. If you need to take further medical action with the wound, your doctor will be able to tell you.
• 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?

Just like other types of animals, some dog breeds are more likely to bite than other dog breeds. 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 Highland, IL - We can Help

When a dog bites someone, or viciously attacks someone, it's because of negligence. If the pet owner would have taken the time to train and confine the dog properly, chances are you wouldn't have been attacked. This shows negligence. When someone allows a negligent act to happen, they can and should be held liable for that action. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Highland 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.