Dog Bites

Illinois injury attorneys serving Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall and Will counties

Illinois Dog Bites

In Chicago and other communities throughout Illinois, the greatest percentage of victims suffering from dog bites are children, with the face being the area most frequently attacked.

As a fairly common occurrence, dog bites take place on both public and private property as a result of insufficient fencing or restraint.

Aside from pain and permanent disfigurement, victims seriously injured from a dog bite frequently experience emotional trauma, which later could develop into fear of all dogs or animals and possibly fear of going outdoors.

Costs involved with the damages from dog bites can be outrageous. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured from a dog attack, exorbitant medical fees alone are a reason to consider filing a personal injury claim. An attorney can advocate on your behalf to help defray the expenses: emergency room care, rehabilitation, plastic surgery and therapy.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws

According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, an animal owner is liable for injuries that his or her animal causes to others. A number of Illinois statutes within this act define liability, but two key statutes that establish strict liability are:

• (510 ILCS 5/2.16) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.16)

  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=093-0548&
  

  Sec. 2.16. “Owner” means any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her.

• 510 ILCS 5/16:Sec. 16. (from Ch. 8, par. 366)

  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=093-0548&
  

  Sec. 16. Animal attacks or injuries. If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.

Dog Bite Damages

In a dog bite case, your lawyer may litigate to recover damages for medical bills (past and future), lost wages (past and future), pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and permanent disability or disfigurement.

If a dog attack resulted in wrongful death, the surviving family may sue for compensation, which may include damages for grief, sorrow and mental suffering in addition to monetary loss.

Insurance Companies and Dog Bites

While insurance providers have an obligation to cover dog bite injuries based on a particular policy, the companies frequently try to pay as little as possible or deny claims. Obtaining an experienced dog bite lawyer in handling dog bite claims can be invaluable in winning a claim.

Effective Legal Help

At Steven H. Mevorah & Associates, we evaluate your case at no cost to you, explain your rights and determine the best course of action to help you receive the maximum compensation entitled by law. We take cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is no fee unless we recover on your behalf.