For many children in Illinois and across the country, going on a field trip with their class is one of their favorite school-related activities. Such opportunities allow them new adventures to which they may not normally be exposed. However, a recently settled lawsuit involved children who were apparently placed in unnecessary danger while on such an outing with their class, resulting in dog bites.
The lawsuit involved a field trip that happened in another state in Oct. 2013. According to reports, an 11-year-old boy went with his elementary class to a courthouse. While on the trip, a demonstration involving a drug dog was conducted.
As part of the demonstration, marijuana was placed on children lying on the floor. A drug dog, handled by a member of the local police department, was sent into the room to sniff the children. During the process, the victim was bitten by the dog which had to be pried from the child’s leg. Court papers indicate that the boy suffers from scarring and nerve damage.
The lawsuit named several defendants, including the city, the police department, the judge and the court. The state recently settled for $105,000 for the court and the judge; the other defendants reached separate settlements. Unfortunately, dog bites can have long-lasting consequences, both physical and psychological, that could also result in financial harm. As a result, many victims in Illinois choose to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties believed responsible. An attorney with experience with such cases can seek a fair settlement while also preparing for a trial if no agreement can be reached.
Source: tribstar.com, “Brazil, state settle in police dog bite case“, Lisa Trigg, Oct. 5, 2017