Dog Bites and Wrongful Death Compensation
When a person is attacked or injured by a dog, the results can be very serious. Some of the most terrifying attacks occur when a small child is mauled. Children tend to be attacked more often than adults; in fact, 70 percent of fatal dog attacks involve children. Tragically, the likelihood that the child will die as a result of the attack is also high.
Dog bites can end up being extremely severe and may cause a myriad of injuries, many of them potentially fatal. If your loved one has died as the result of a dog attack, speak with a dog bite attorney right away to help you in your quest to recover compensation for the death of your loved one.
Seeking Compensation
A ferocious dog attack can do more than injure; it can lead to death. Dog bite victims often become paralyzed with fear, leaving them even more susceptible to serious injuries. The depth of the wounds and the blood loss can be traumatic, and depending on where on the body, an attack can leave the victim without a chance for survival. In the event your loved one succumbs to their injuries, you, as the surviving family, may pursue compensation. Damages can be sought for grief, sorrow and mental suffering in addition to monetary losses for medical care and other expenses related to the injury and death.
When a dog is responsible for fatal injuries, seeking compensation from the liable dog owner can be complex and challenging. By hiring a personal injury attorney, however, you may be able to better understand the process and find ways to defray the extensive costs and losses suffered. Your attorney can also play a crucial role in limiting the owner’s claim of provocation. The owner may try to escape responsibility by claiming that the victim provoked the dog into attacking. Provocation can be intentional or unintentional and may include actions such as teasing or harassing the dog. For your case to be successful, you will need to show that the victim was in a place that he or she was permitted to be and that he or she did not provoke the attack.
Legal Advocates Who Understand Your Loss
The death of a loved one due to a dog bite is a truly devastating loss for your family. With strict liability laws in place in Illinois, your chances of recovering compensation for you mental anguish and suffering are strong. Nevertheless, proving the elements of a wrongful death suit requires the assistance of an experienced Kane County personal injury attorney. Call 630-907-0909 for a free consultation at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur, P.C. today.
Sources:
http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities.php
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41
