DOG BITE CASES

Dog bites to both adults and children are fairly common. They can have serious consequences including scarring, disfigurement and psychological trauma. In some cases a dog bite may result in death to the victim. It is impossible to know what dog will bite in advance of attack unless, of course, the dog has a vicious propensity and has attacked in the past.

National dog bite statistics reflects that nearly 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and for the dog bite fatalities that involve children, 50% of those involve children under 10 years of age. In the United States, approximately 100 children are bitten by dogs everyday and approximately 92 of those children will need medical attention.

Approximately 15-20 people are killed by dog attacks each year. Insurance companies report that one-third (1/3) of all injury claims against their homeowners liability policies are related to dog bites.

In 2006, McHenry County Animal Control conducted 393 animal bites investigations of which 235 were female victims and 158 were male victims. In 2007, there were 335 animal bite investigations; 187 females and 148 males were bitten.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a dog or animal bite, contact the law firm of FRANKS & RECHENBERG, P.C. Attorney David N. Rechenberg has experience handling these types of claims and has recovered substantial money damages for dog bites and animal bite victims.

In Illinois, under the common law, a dog bite victim could only recover money damages from the owner of the dog if the dog had a previous history of biting or attacking individuals. This was commonly known as a “one free bite” law.

The Illinois legislature has enacted the Animal Control Act 510 ILCS 5/16. The Illinois Animal Control Act, in pertinent part, states as follows: “if a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is peaceably conducting themselves in a place where he may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in damages to such person for the full amount of injuries sustained”.

The case law interpreting the Animal Control Act has held that not only are the owners of the dog liable to the injured party, but also any individual who controls an animal is liable for injuries resulting from the dog bite attack. In certain circumstances, landlords may also be legally liable for unprovoked dog and/or animal attacks.

While prosecuting a dog bite case is a complicated legal matter, the first thing you should do is hire David N. Rechenberg. Once retained, he will file the common law cause of action along with the statutory Animal Control Act claim to make sure you recover all the money damages you or your loved one is entitled to recover. Not only can the injured person recover medical bills, disfigurement and money for scarring, he or she can also recover money damages for their psychological injuries that resulted from the animal attack.

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