Stein & Shulman, LLC has once again successfully protected the rights of a woman that sustained severe facial lacerations from a dog bite. Our client was visiting a local retailer of pet supplies and services that was hosting an Adopt a Pet event when she was bitten by a dog that was part of the event. Like many people that are attacked by dogs, her wounds to her face leaving significant scaring that will remain with her throughout her lifetime. As you can imagine, she has a right to recover a settlement from the responsible parties for her injuries, pain and suffering and the resulting scars to her face.
Illinois has a law called the Animal Control Act which provides that “If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.
These injury claims can be brought against the dog owner as well as the person or business that has taken custody of the dog and thereby assumed the responsibility of the dog at the time of the attack. According to a recent State Farm Insurance study, Illinois is the second largest state in our country in terms of insurance claims for dog bite injuries. State Farm stated that over the past 5 years it has pain more than $500 million in claims caused by dog attacks.
In a recent report completed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year and that approximately 50% of those victims are kids. The report also stated that the percentage of dog bite injuries is highest in kids between the ages of 5 and 9, and that well over half of these bites occur to the head and neck.
Adopt a Pet events are becoming very popular around the country and the groups and foundations that put on these events have a duty and responsibility to make sure the pets are being controlled and handled so they cannot injure the individuals that are in attendance. Just last year a Texas court awarded $495,000 to a family whose 4-year-old daughter was attacked by a Rottweiler during an “Adopt a Dog” event that a popular retailer of pet products and services was hosting at its store. The Rottweiler was being walked around the store for that event when it attacked the girl on her face and head.
Similar to the Texas matter, our client was acting peaceably and did nothing to provoke the dog. We were able to advise her and ensure that she received all the proper medical attention necessary to recover from her injuries and we assisted her in seeking an opinion from a Plastic Surgeon to ascertain what surgical options she had to correct or reduce the appearance of the scars left on her face.
If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog or pet and sustained an injury call our law office today for a FREE consultation so you can learn what your options are and what rights you have in terms of a money settlement. We can be reached at 312.422.0500 and again, there is no charge for the call.
