This May, a North Chicago woman suffered a traumatic and violent injury when she was bitten by a neighbor’s dog. The attack happened rapidly according to the victim, who was quickly rushed to the emergency room in the aftermath of the incident. The injuries were severe, as the dog jumped up to bite the woman’s face. The victim suffered serious injuries to her face and mouth requiring stitches and emergency medical attention, and she lost a substantial amount of her lip in the incident.
The victim is now stable and healthy, but the ramifications of her injury could be lifelong. She now faces medical bills, loss of work hours, and emotional trauma, which is all too common in the aftermath of dog bite injuries.
Dog Bites Throughout the United States
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur each year nationwide. This means that each year, one in every 72 Americans are likely to suffer a dog bite injury. Even more concerning is the fact that roughly 20% of all dog bite injuries result in infection.
In many cases, dog bites occur due to the recklessness of their owner. One in four fatal dog bite injuries are inflicted by dogs that were either tied up or chained. This means that in all likelihood, the owner was aware of the dog’s tendency for violence. Additionally, the vast majority of dog bites involve dogs that are not spayed or neutered.
What to Do Post-Injury?
If you or a member of your family are injured in a dog bite incident, it is crucially important to act prudently. In the immediate aftermath of the injury, contact emergency medical personnel, as well as local authorities, as soon as possible. For insurance purposes, it is important to document as much as possible. Taking pictures and writing down names and addresses can be crucial in further investigations.
Contact a Will County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
Dog bites occur throughout the United States on a far too regular basis. In the aftermath of a dog bite injury, victims can suffer severe physical and emotional trauma while also facing substantial medical bills and loss of income. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury, schedule a free consultation with an experienced Plainfield personal injury attorney at Flaherty Law, LLC. For more information, call our office at 815-860-5702.
Sources:
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/north-chicago-woman-left-with-physical-emotional-scars-after-dog-attack https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-bite-statistics/ http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41