Personal Injury Law

Illinois Dog Bite Lawsuit: Woman Sues Pet Owner For Facial Injuries

Erica Karbowiak is seeking over $100,000 in Illinois personal injury damages from Allen W. Vogt. Karbowiak claims that her face was mangled Vogt?s St. Bernard on May 2, 2009.

According to her Illinois dog attack lawsuit, the dog, named Bandit, attacked her as she was walking in Belleville, causing her to sustain serious and permanent facial injuries and disfigurement. Karbowiak says that because of her dog mauling injuries, she has experienced pain and suffering, lost her ability to enjoy life, and has had to undergo numerous medical procedures to repair the scars on her face. She also experiences great mental anguish because of her facial scars. The plaintiff is accusing Vogt of negligence for failing to keep his dog properly restrained in a closed area.

Dog bite injuries can be extremely serious and, in addition to causing pain and suffering, can prove traumatic if the victim is she is left disfigured or with scars. Depending on the severity of the dog attack injury, internal injuries can result. If the dog bite victim is very young, he/she may have to wait several years before undergoing certain corrective procedures, which can lead to self-esteem issues and social difficulties that can impact the him/her for life.

Dog Bite Prevention Week
This year, May 16 ? 22 marked Dog Bite Prevention Week. The annual public service campaign is designed to provide safety tips and remind pet owners that they have a responsibility to prevent dog attack from happening. Depending on the circumstances of the case, negligent dog owners can be sued for Chicago personal injury.

Steps a pet owner can take to minimize the chances that his/her dog will bite someone:

? Spay or neuter your dog.
? Train your pet.
? Socialize your dog.
? Make sure that your dog is appropriately restrained.
? Make sure that your dog knows how to behave around people and other animals.

St. Bernard mangles woman's face, suit claims, The Record, May 26, 2010

Related Web Resources:
National Dog Bite Prevention Week, CDC

West's Smith-Hurd Illinois Compiled Statutes Annotated Currentness. Chapter 510. Animals. Act 5. Animal Control Act. 5/13. Dog or other animal bites; observation of animal, Animal Legal and Historical Center

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on May 30, 2010 (boomark / email).