Illinois Animal Attack Lawyers
Approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year, according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), with one in five dog bites causing injuries that require medical attention. Children are more likely than adults to required medical attention.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite (or attempted dog bite), contact the skilled Chicago dog bite attorneys at Ankin Law Offices, LLC to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible personal injury lawsuit.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites in Illinois
Under Illinois law, an owner of a dog may be liable for damages and injuries that result when an unprovoked dog bites or attacks a person and injures the person. The owner of the dog may be liable for injuries and damages even if the dog does not actually bite the victim, but merely attempts to attack the person. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, victims of dog bites and other animal attacks may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and property damage.
“One Bite” Laws
In some states, if the dog has never before bitten or attacked anyone, the owner may be protected from liability the first time the dog bites someone. Once the dog has bitten someone, however, the owner is no longer protected from liability and he or she may be liable for any future bites or attacks.
Possible Defenses in a Dog Bite Lawsuit
Victims of dog bites and other animal attacks are not always entitled to compensation for their injuries. The dog owner may assert certain defenses such as:
- Provocation – If person provokes a dog or other animal, the dog owner may not be liable for injuries sustained as a result of a dog bite.
- Trespassing – Most states limit liability to those cases in which the plaintiff was legally allowed to be in the place where the dog bite occurred and that he or she was not trespassing.
Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys
The laws and legal theories involved with dog bites and other animal attacks are complex. The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Ankin Law Offices, LLC are familiar with all of the applicable legal theories that may be involved, including personal injury/negligence issues and premises liability issues. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite (or attempted dog bite), contact the skilled Chicago dog bite attorneys at Ankin Law Offices to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible personal injury lawsuit.
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