Illinois Cat Bite Lawyers
by Micheal Helfand
(Illinois)
If you have been bitten or scratched by a cat, you may not consider filing a lawsuit, at first. However, cat bites and scratches can actually result in major health problems.
Domestic cats are typically vaccinated but a bite or scratch can still cause serious infection that could require hospitalization and IV antibiotics or nerve or tendon damage that could require surgery and physical therapy.
The first thing you should do if you are bitten or scratched by a cat is seek medical treatment, even if it doesn’t appear to be serious. If the cat bite or scratch results in a serious medical condition, you may want to file a lawsuit to compensate you for your medical expenses or other costs, such as lost wages.
The Illinois Animal Control Act, which applies not only to dogs and cats but all animals, states that victims of such animal-related injuries may collect damages if you prove four things. They are:
1. That you are suing the right person – in other words, the cat is owned by the defendant. Cats, dogs and all pets are considered property.
2. That you didn’t provoke the attack by teasing or instigating the cat.
3. That you were conducting yourself in a peaceable manner – again, not provoking the cat.
4. That you had a right to be at the place where the injury occurred – you weren’t trespassing when the attack occurred.
So, in Illinois, you don’t have to prove that the owner of the cat was negligent or at fault in any way.
You also don’t have to show that the cat had previously exhibited aggressive tendencies, had bitten or scratched in the past. Rather, you only need to prove the above elements in order to recover full damages for your injury.
It is understandable that you may be apprehensive about suing your friend or neighbor. However, keep in mind that most property insurance covers this type of liability.
That means you will be dealing primarily with your friend or neighbor’s insurance company and not directly with the individual. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you consider hiring an attorney who has experience in these types of cases.
You do not want to deal with an insurance company on your own. An experienced attorney will have the expertise to handle negotiations with the insurance company and ensure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries – mental, physical and financial.
If you are concerned about the cost of an attorney, note that most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing if you get nothing. If you do, however, recover an award or settlement, your attorney is paid from that amount.
---------------------------
To learn more visit FindGreatLawyers.com
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.
