How to Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite?

Holding the Dog’s Owner Accountable for Your Injuries

An unprovoked dog attack in Illinois can leave the victim with devastating injuries. In most of these cases, the owner of the dog is responsible for the legal damages. However, securing compensation after a dog bite injury can be a complex process. Although you have the legal right to pursue a compensation claim, proving negligence and legal damages requires some legal acumen.

A Chicago dog bite claim lawyer can guide you through the claims process to fight for fair compensation. We know what it takes to hold the responsible owner financially accountable for your injuries.

What Damages Can You Pursue in a Dog Bite Claim?

Most dog bite cases occur because the victim wants to hold the dog’s owner accountable and receive compensation for the resulting legal damages. Some of the most common legal damages in personal injury claims include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement

Let’s take a closer look at these losses and how they may affect your settlement.

Medical Bills

If you are bitten by a dog, chances are you will face physical injuries. These injuries may include puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, broken bones, and infections. The costs of diagnosing and treating dog bite injuries can be recovered in your settlement, including reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

Lost Wages

Dog bite victims may be forced to miss work during their recovery. In that case, you can pursue lost income as part of your settlement with the owner.

Pain and Suffering

Animal attacks can leave the victims with serious injuries that cause immense pain. When pursuing compensation, pain and suffering can be assessed as non-economic damage.

Scarring and Disfigurement

Even after all your future treatments are completed, the injuries left by the dog bite could cause permanent scarring or disfigurement, which can lead to additional compensation.

The Step-by-Step Process to Recover Compensation

If you hope to file a personal injury lawsuit against the owner for negligence, you must take the appropriate steps immediately after the attack:

1. Seek immediate medical attention to be treated for your injuries
2. Report the attack to the local animal control agency or the police to create an official record
3. Gather evidence from the scene, such as witness statements and photos of the dog
4. Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss liability

Establishing Liability Under Illinois Law

The primary dog bite law in this state is the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/). Under this statute, owners can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of the dog’s past behavior.

To win a personal injury lawsuit under this statute, you must prove that the attack was unprovoked and that you were not trespassing on the property at the time. Typically, this is enough to prove that the owner’s negligence caused the dog bite.

Factors That Affect Your Right to Fair Compensation

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you secure full compensation for your injuries by assessing all damages. Factors that affect most dog bite claims include the severity of the injuries, the total amount of medical bills, the total amount of lost income, the amount of compelling evidence, and the presence of permanent scarring or disabilities after the attack.

These elements will heavily influence the value of your settlement. You should also note that the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Illinois is typically two years from the date of the incident (735 ILCS 5/13-202).

The Importance of Investigating the Dog’s History

Although an owner can be held liable for the dog’s first offense in Illinois, it can be helpful to research the dog’s vaccination history and past behavior when negotiating with insurance companies. If there are past reports of the dog being aggressive, this will give you more leverage as you seek a higher settlement.

A dog bite lawyer from our law firm can assist with this aspect of the investigation.

The Role of an Attorney in Maximizing Compensation

Our dog bite attorneys can be essential in your pursuit of justice and compensation. Our legal services include:

• Investigating the incident and the dog’s owner
• Gathering key evidence from the scene and from witnesses
• Collecting medical records
• Assessing all damages for dog bite victims
• Considering future care needs for the settlement
• Fighting against lowball offers from insurance companies
• Litigating in civil court

Get a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Dog Bite Claim

If a dog’s owner fails to protect you from an unprovoked attack, they must be brought to justice. An experienced dog bite lawyer will help you fight for fair compensation to address medical treatment costs, future medical expenses, lost income, and emotional trauma.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win. If you have questions about strict liability laws or assessing medical costs, we offer a free consultation.

Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how legal representation can improve your chances of a settlement.