Compared to other personal injuries, dog bite injuries can be uniquely troublesome. On top of the physical, medical, and financial pain you may be dealing with, you might also be facing disfigurement for the rest of your life. Dog bites can also be at higher risk for developing infections and other complications, and some dog bite victims may even suffer from PTSD.
If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, help is available in the form of a practiced personal injury attorney. A qualified Oak Lawn dog bite lawyer may be able to get you a fair compensation for all that you are suffering. En Español.
Illinois Dog Bite Laws
510 ILCS 5/16 states that in order to prove a dog owner is legally liable for a dog bite, the injured party must demonstrate that:
- An attack, attempted attack, or injury occurred
- They had a legal right to be where they were at the time of the attack or injury
- The dog was not provoked or teased prior to the incident
Another point to note regarding dog bites in Oak Lawn is that Illinois law covers injuries that a dog directly caused as well as injuries caused by its behaviors. For instance, if the injured party jumped into the street to get away from the dog and subsequently fell and sustained injuries, the dog owner could be liable for those injuries as well. An Oak Lawn dog bite lawyer could help determine what a dog owner may be held liable, given a client’s individual circumstances.
Strict Liability
For injuries caused by animals, Illinois is a strict liability state. This means that the owner of the dog cannot use the excuse that they had no warning their dog was aggressive or could cause injuries. Even if the owner had no previous indication or knowledge that their dog would attack and bite, the owner could still be held legally liable if the dog was unprovoked.
Time Limits on Oak Lawn Dog Bite Cases
In Illinois, dog bite victims have two years from the date of their injuries to file their claim. This is known as the statute of limitations and can be found in 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If a dog bite victim does not file their case during that time period, it would probably be thrown out by the court, meaning they could never seek compensation for their injuries in civil court.
In light of this, the sooner a dog bite victim can contact an Oak Lawn dog bite lawyer, the better. This could give the attorney more time to review the case and collect additional evidence as necessary before officially filing the lawsuit on their client’s behalf.
Get Professional Assistance from an Oak Lawn Dog Bite Attorney
An experienced Oak Lawn dog bite lawyer should be familiar with the dog bite laws in Illinois, as well as your rights. Because of this, they may be able to build a strong case for compensation based on the circumstances of the dog bite and the severity of your injuries. If you are suffering from a dog bite, call today to find out if you have a case.