America is undoubtedly in love with dogs; so much so, that we can confidently say that we are a dog nation. That said, these loyal friends can become pests and even pose a danger to innocent individuals walking past a home or putting in their morning or evening run routine. Dogs that can seem docile can become aggressive at the drop of a hat, biting an innocent individual, leading to them needing urgent medical care and even surgery.

Were you the victim of an aggressive dog? If you were bitten by a dog that you feel should have been on a leash or within their owner’s compound, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Our Chicago dog bite lawyers handle cases nationally, and we have over 90 years of collective legal experience that we’d love to put to work for you. Filing a dog bite lawsuit will enable you to recover money damages for things like medical bills present and future, pain and suffering, mental anguish, legal fees, lost wages and so much more. If you’d like more information about the average settlement for a dog bite injury, please contact us NOW at (773) 673-9861 to learn more about your legal options for compensation.

Here are the most common infections you can get from a dog bite:

1. Rabies

This is a viral infection that can be passed on from a dog or any other feral animal to a human by way of a bite. This virus can spread to your central nervous system, causing inflammation of your spinal cord and the brain, leading to death.

Rabies symptoms to watch out for include fever, feeling unusually tired, headaches, and weakness. Over time, this progresses to anxiety, hyperactivity, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, and even partial paralysis. It is important to see a doctor MINUTES after you’ve been bitten by a dog to get a rabies shot so the virus is neutralized in as little time as possible.

2. Staph and Strep Infections

Not many people know this, but you can get streptococcus and staphylococcus-related infections from a dog bite. This is because there are up to 60 species of bacteria that live in the mouth of a dog at any given time. Symptoms of s staph infection include things like joint swelling, fever, boils and blisters that ooze clear fluid, pus or blood. In addition to a rabies vaccine, you may also need to be prescribed a round of antibiotics to deal with these bacterial infections after a dog bite.

3. Cellulitis

This is a bacterial infection that is contracted from a dog bite which can be pretty serious if not treated in a timely manner. You will typically show symptoms in less than 24 hours, and you may experience things like swelling, redness, tenderness around the site of the bite, as well as pus being expelled from the wound. Cellulitis can become a serious infection especially in children that are not treated fast, with advanced symptoms showing up as pneumonia, the blackening of skin, tingling or numbness, urinary tract infection, meningitis and dangerous blood infections. You may need antibiotic medication for 7 to 10 days to completely cure cellulitis, and doctors will typically prescribe penicillin and amoxicillin.

Dog Bite Settlements Injury Lawyer – Call Us Now!

If you’ve been injured by an aggressive dog that wasn’t on its leash, or a poorly trained dog, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for your injuries and their treatment. Hold the dog owner responsible by calling our dog bite injury settlement lawyers NOW at (773) 673-9861 to determine the true value of your case and how to proceed. The call is 100% FREE, and there’s no legal obligation. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.