Dog Bite
Mount Prospect IL Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs can be dangerous animals even if they don’t have a prior history of aggression, and dog attacks do not necessarily have to result in injury for a victim to be able to sue a dog owner. In Illinois, the Animal Control Act is very strict regarding dog bites, and if you have been a victim of a dog attack in Mount Prospect, you may be able to file a claim.
At The Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, a Mount Prospect dog bite attorney can help you with your dog bite claim, hold the negligent dog owner liable for the incident, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries, distress, and other damages.
Dog bite claims serve a dual purpose-not only do they compensate victims for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, but they also aim to punish negligent dog owners and make the community a safer place. Contact our law office for a free consultation today and discover how the legal process can work in your favor. Learn more about your legal rights and options and how a dedicated dog bite attorney in Mount Prospect can help you navigate this process.
Dog Bite Laws in Mount Prospect
According to the Illinois Animal Control Act, you can pursue compensation from a dog owner if you have been injured or psychologically traumatized by their pet. Under Illinois’s strict liability laws, a dog owner can be held liable for a dog attack even if they did not have prior knowledge of the canine’s aggressive tendencies or prior history of biting.
This means that the state of Illinois, unlike other states, does not follow the one-bite rule, and a victim does not need to prove that the dog owner acted negligently in suing them. As long as the dog attack occurred without provocation and in an area where the victim had a right to be lawful, the dog owner can be held liable. Under personal injury law, a personal injury victim can pursue a dog bite claim within two years from the date of the accident.
Personal injury cases related to dog bites cannot be filed once the statute of limitations expires unless special circumstances apply to your case. Consult with a personal injury attorney to learn more.
Since Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system, all parties involved in a dog bite claim can be assigned a percentage of fault. This can occur in dog attacks where the defendant argues that the plaintiff provoked the dog or they were in an area unlawfully.
In such situations, if a party is assigned more than 50% fault, they are barred from seeking compensation for their damages. If they are assigned less than 50% fault, then the assigned percentage will be used to minimize their total damage awards. For example, if you were 30% responsible for the dog incident, and your total damage awards are estimated at $50,000, you will only receive $35,000.
Responsibilities of Dog Owners in Preventing Dog Bites
Since dog owners in Illinois are strictly liable for their dog’s aggressive behavior and attacks, they must adhere to several premises liability laws and local ordinances and take on several responsibilities to ensure compliance.
According to statutes 510 ILCS 5/2.05a and 5/2.11a, dogs are considered dangerous if they are outside the owner’s private property, unrestrained, not leashed, or aren’t muzzled. Dogs must be contained by a fence of at least 6 feet in height and should not be capable of escaping the property.
Common Consequences of Dog Bite Injuries and What To Do After a Dog Attack
A dog’s teeth aren’t dangerous just because of puncture wounds, which damage muscle tissue, but also because some dog breeds have a biting force capable of breaking bones.
Most dog bites can result in scarring and disfigurement, serious infections, muscle tissue damage, broken bones, and emotional trauma. Victims who fall from such attacks can also experience concussions or traumatic brain injuries, which is another serious injury.
When you are injured in a dog attack, you should first prioritize your health and contact emergency services and authorities. Your injuries must be assessed and treated immediately, especially since infections can occur.
The medical records will be used in your claim to highlight your injuries, rehabilitation costs, and all other medical expenses so that you can recover compensation. Take photos of your injuries before leaving the scene, and write down the dog owner’s contact information and those of possible eyewitnesses. Lastly, contact a personal injury lawyer specializing in dog bites to help you pursue compensation.
How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help Dog Bite Victims
A personal injury attorney who deals with dog attacks can help you file a personal injury claim against the responsible parties. At The Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, our legal team can help you gather evidence and recover compensation for the expenses related to your medical bills and treatment, pain and suffering, and more, depending on the circumstances of your case.
If the dog attack prevented you from returning to work, our law firm can help you seek compensation for lost wages. If the attack results in permanent scarring injuries, the medical costs associated with surgery and other treatments will be expensive.
However, our Mount Prospect dog attack lawyer will help you build a solid case to seek adequate compensation for the injuries suffered. Since a person can easily suffer emotional trauma after such an attack and develop post-traumatic stress disorder or other conditions, our lawyers will also focus on highlighting such issues and seek compensation in your claim. Contact our law office today for a free case consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Legal Process Involved in Seeking Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries
When you pursue a claim after suffering dog bite injuries, it’s important to understand if you have a solid claim, what personal injury laws might affect it, and the damages you may be entitled to pursue.
Our dog bite lawyers will analyze the circumstances of your case, gather evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and photographs, and establish liability. If you had the legal right to be on someone’s property or were conducting your business in public and were attacked, you may have a solid claim on your hands.
A lawyer with our firm will file a claim with the dog owner’s insurance company or directly with the at-fault party if they don’t have insurance and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf that covers your damages. If negotiations fail, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Working With a Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bite injuries and attacks are traumatic experiences that can severely injure a victim. If you or a family member have suffered such an incident in Mount Prospect, IL, you may have the right to pursue a claim against the negligent dog owner. Contact The Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro for a free consultation on your case today and find out if you have a valid claim on your hands. Let a dedicated personal injury lawyer help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.