Chicago rabies dog bite claims arise when a dog that’s infected with rabies bites or scratches a person. This creates immediate medical concerns and lasting legal consequences. Dog bite victims often face emergency post-exposure prophylaxis, expensive medical treatment, and the emotional distress of potential exposure. Illinois law holds dog owners responsible when their pet’s actions cause injury, including the transmission risk of major infections, like rabies. Victims must seek immediate medical care and legal assistance to secure the full amount of compensation for these cases.
Rabies is a disease that is often present in animals. There is a vaccine for it to prevent animals from getting it, but if you suffer a bite from a dog that has not had the vaccine, you could be at risk for the disease. According to the World Health Organization, 99% of the cases of rabies in humans come from dogs, so the risk is serious.
Rabies is fatal without proper medical intervention. If a dog bites you and you do not know the animal’s medical history, you should treat the situation as if the dog is positive for rabies. Treatment involves several steps, all of which aim to stop the virus from attacking your central nervous system, which leads to death. If someone you know suffered a fatal rabies infection, you need a Chicago wrongful death lawyer on your side.
Can You Get Rabies From a Dog Bite?
Yes. You can and will get rabies from a dog bite if the dog is infected with rabies and transmits the rabies virus through its saliva into the wound. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. This is why seeking immediate medical treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are critical. Even if the dog appears healthy, under Illinois law, you must assess the dog’s rabies vaccination status. In many cases, the dog must be quarantined or tested to absolutely rule out any potential rabies infection.
Can You Get Rabies From a Scratch?
Yes. You can get rabies from a scratch if the dog itself has rabies and its claws have saliva from its mouth, which can happen if it licks its paws. You can also get rabies from a scratch if a dog has messed with another rabies-infected animal and has that saliva on its paws. In either case, if that saliva gets into a scratch that breaks the skin, the virus can enter your body. The risk is lower than getting rabies from a dog bite, but in Illinois, doctors recommend getting checked right away so you can start treatment if needed.
Potentially dying is never worth the risk of not getting it checked out.
Rabies Transmission Without Bite
You can get rabies without being bitten if spit from a rabid animal gets into a cut, scrape, your eyes, nose, or mouth. This can happen if the animal scratches you with claws that have its saliva on them, or if you touch your face after the saliva gets on your hands. Even though it’s not as common as getting rabies from a dog bite, it’s still dangerous. In Illinois, you should see a doctor right away if you think you’ve had any contact with a rabid animal.
Do You Need Rabies Shot After Dog Bite?
Yes, you generally need to get a rabies shot after a dog bite if the dog has rabies or could have been exposed to the virus. A vet can first check to ensure the dog has had a rabies vaccine and is healthy. However, any time you aren’t sure whether or not the dog has rabies, you need to get a post-exposure rabies shot to keep you from getting sick and potentially dying.
Can I Get Rabies Vaccine After a Month of Dog Bite?
You can get a rabies shot after a month of getting bitten. However, waiting this long drastically increases the risk. Rabies can spread before symptoms appear. Once rabies symptoms start, it is generally fatal. You should never delay seeking medical treatment as soon as possible after a dog bite.
Chances of Getting Rabies From a Dog Bite in Cook County
The chances of getting rabies from a dog bite in Cook County are extremely low. This is because the Chicago Department of Public Health programs impose strict vaccination requirements for domestic dogs. In Illinois, most rabies cases are linked to wildlife. According to Cook County Animal and Rabies Control, bats and skunks are the most common carriers locally. In Cook County, rabid dogs are rare.
In 2023, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported four rabid bats found in Cook County. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control confirmed that the number increased to seven rabid bats in 2024 through its annual surveillance program.
While the Cook County Department of Public Health has not released updated dog bite rabies exposure statistics since 2020, its last report showed that out of 167 potential rabies exposures, only 12% involved domestic animals such as dogs or cats.
All that said, ALL dog bites should be treated seriously and checked by a healthcare professional.
Symptoms of Rabies
Rabies Symptoms in Dogs
Symptoms of rabies in dogs cause sudden and severe changes in behavior and health. Early signs of a dog being infected with rabies include fever, decreased appetite, and unusual irritability or nervousness. As the rabies progresses, the dog may show aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, disorientation, staggering, and paralysis. Saddly, some dogs become unusually affectionate or quiet before symptoms worsen.
Once symptoms of rabies appear, it is typically deadly. This is why immediate care and rabies testing are crucial if your pet shows any of these symptoms, especially after a bite or contact with wildlife.
Symptoms of Rabies in Cats
The symptoms of rabies in a cat can cause changes in their behavior, health, and movement. Early signs of rabies in cats can include fever, reduced appetite, and unusual irritability or restlessness. As the rabies progresses, the cat may show aggression, excessive drooling, trouble swallowing, disorientation, and staggering. Like dogs, some cats may become unusually affectionate or withdrawn before their symptoms get bad. In later stages, the cat may develop seizures or become paralyzed.
Rabies Symptoms in Humans
The symptoms of rabies in humans often start with fever, headache, and a sense of general weakness or discomfort. Early symptoms for humans can also include tingling, itching, or pain at the site of the bite or scratch. As the rabies progresses, victims start noticing more serious signs. These typically include anxiety, confusion, agitation, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, and muscle spasms. In advanced stages, victims may experience paralysis, hallucinations, and seizures. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal, which is why immediate medical care after a possible exposure is essential.
How Long Does it Take for Rabies to Show in Humans?
For people, the rabies symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 months after being bitten or scratched. However, the incubation period can be as short as a few days or as long as a year. The time it takes depends on factors such as how far the bite or scratch is from the brain, the severity of the wound, and the amount of virus introduced. Because each person experiences symptoms differently, victims should contact a doctor immediately after any possible rabies exposure, even if the bite or scratch happened weeks or months ago.
Rabies Treatment for Humans
The first step in treatment is to completely wash the site of the bite as soon as possible. You also need to undergo a series of vaccines. In some cases, you may also need to receive rabies immunoglobulin. It is imperative to start treatment as soon as possible after you suffer a bite. The disease progresses quickly, and once it reaches the central nervous system, there is very little a doctor can do to cure you.
In addition to rabies concerns, some victims require reconstructive care, and the dog bite plastic surgery cost in Chicago can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury. Bites can also cause several types of dog bite infections in Cook County, which may require hospitalization or additional procedures. A Chicago dog bite injury lawyer can help victims recover the cost of treatment, lost wages, and other damages.
If you plan to introduce a new dog into your home after a bite incident, it is important to ensure the animal is vaccinated and properly socialized. You should also understand what happens if your dog bites someone in Illinois, as state law may hold you financially responsible for the victim’s medical bills and other losses.
Can You Sue for a Rabies Bite in Illinois?
You should know that you cannot always tell if an animal has rabies because it may not present signs of infection for a long time after being positive for the disease. In addition, medical professionals cannot easily diagnose the disease in animals or humans. For this reason, you should always undergo treatment after a dog bite if you are not positive the dog has proper vaccination against the disease.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog that doesn’t belong to you, contact the experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys at Curcio & Casciato for a free consultation. Call our office today at 312-321-1111 to schedule your consultation.