Dog Bite Lawyers in Illinois
by Michael Helfand
(Illinois)
If you have been bitten, scratched or in any other way injured by someone else’s dog, you may be able to recover for your injuries by filing a lawsuit.
This includes compensation for such expenses as medical bills, future medical bills, medication, lost wages, torn clothing or broken glasses, disfigurement and pain and suffering. Also, if your own pet was injured or killed in the attack, you may be able to recover for that as well.
First, however, if you have been hurt in any way by a dog, you should seek medical treatment. You should then notify police and obtain a completed police report. Also, be sure to maintain several, clear and close up photos and videos of your injury.
The Illinois Animal Control Act protects victims of dog-related injuries by holding the dog owner liable.
You do not have to show that the owner was doing anything wrong at the time of the attack or was negligent in any way.
You do not have to show that dog had a history of aggression – unlike the old “one free bite” rule, which essentially stated that every dog gets ‘one free bite’ before it is considered to be aggressive and the owner on notice.
What you do have to show in order to recover damages for your injuries is the following:
- That the person you are suing owns the dog.
- That you were conducting yourself in a peaceable manner and did not provoke the dog in any way.
- That you had a legal right to be where you were when the attack occurred – in other words, you weren’t trespassing at the time.
Oftentimes, victims of dog bites are reluctant to file a lawsuit against a family member, friend or neighbor. However, the owner’s property insurance typically covers this type of liability and so you will not be dealing directly with your family member, friend or neighbor but rather with their insurance company.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you. The insurance company’s goal is to pay as little as possible and they are seasoned negotiators. Your attorney will have the experience to negotiate with them and ensure that you are adequately compensated for your injuries.
It is also highly recommended that you act quickly and file on time – within two years of your injury – otherwise, your claim may be barred. Again, your attorney will advise you on all deadlines.
Personal injury attorneys, including those who handle dog bite cases, work on a contingency basis. That means that you pay your attorney out of whatever you recover. If you recover nothing, then you owe nothing to your attorney.
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Michael Helfand has been an Illinois attorney since 1997 and is founder of FindGreatLawyers.com, the leading resource for Illinois lawyer referrals and legal guidance.
