Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in Illinois? The owner may owe you financial compensation if you were injured. Call (312) 726-1616 to learn how Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys can help. An experienced Illinois dog bite lawyer can help you fight for compensation to account for all of your injury-related losses.
Our attorneys have decades of experience in personal injury law between us. When you hire us, you’ll benefit from a team with a proven track record of successfully recovering compensation for injury victims. To date, we’ve recovered more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts. Reach out to our Illinois personal injury attorneys when you’re ready to get started.
Why Call Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Legal Assistance With a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
Dog attacks can be incredibly traumatizing. Even if you’re an animal lover, a dog attack can change your life in ways you may not have imagined. Recovering financial compensation is often your only legal option. An experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you stand up to the insurance companies and demand a fair outcome.
When you hire Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys in Illinois, you’re hiring a nationally-recognized team of lawyers. We’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum. We’ve also earned a perfect-10 rating from the Avvo lawyer rating service.
You deserve time to focus on your recovery. Our Illinois dog bite attorneys will handle the rest. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options following an animal attack.
What Is My Illinois Dog Bite Case Worth?
Unfortunately, it’s a complex question to answer. Various factors are involved in the valuation process. While the severity of the injuries is the primary factor, multiple issues are relevant.
As our lawyers are assessing your case value, we’ll consider:
- The type of injuries you suffered
- The cost of your medical care
- The length of your recovery period
- Whether you’ve lost income due to the injuries
- Anticipated future costs for care, assistance, etc.
- Long-term ramifications, including lost earning capacity and mental trauma
- The circumstances of the animal attack, including whether you’re being blamed
- Available insurance coverage
Your compensation award should include money to cover all of your current losses, as well as your reasonably expected future losses. Our attorneys can help you identify your damages. We can also help you understand the value of your intangible personal losses, such as pain and suffering.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Illinois?
Illinois dog bite victims can demand compensation for any losses they’ve suffered. That includes economic damages and non-economic damages. Your damages will depend on how your life has changed due to the dog bite injury. Financial and non-financial losses are all relevant to the equation.
Examples of your damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Mental health treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma, fear, and PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost ability to enjoy life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain
You’ll probably be dealing with an insurance company after a dog bites you. They won’t automatically hand over a fair settlement. You’ll need evidence about all of the losses you’ve experienced.
Our Illinois dog bite attorneys have decades of experience handling personal injury claims. We have the tools to help you stand up to the insurance company, reject any lowball deals, and demand every dollar you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Help With a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Illinois?
Our attorneys at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.
Like most personal injury law firms in Illinois, we don’t charge upfront retainer fees. You also won’t have to worry about racking up a huge legal bill based on hourly rates. Instead, you’ll agree to pay us a flat percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Your attorneys’ fees are directly tied to the outcome in your case. You’ll never pay a dime if your attorney fails to recover compensation.
Can Illinois’ Shared Fault Laws Hurt My Right to Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite?
Dog owners often try to defend their dogs’ actions by claiming the victim provoked the dog to bite. Strict liability laws apply only if the victim did not provoke the dog into attacking.
That said, you don’t always lose your right to compensation even if there is evidence to suggest you did provoke the dog. The dog owner’s negligence will also be relevant.
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence law with a 51% bar to recovery. In plain English, that means you may lose your right to compensation only if your share of fault was greater than 50%. In other cases, your compensation may be reduced to account for your share of fault.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois
Dog bite injuries can be serious.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we represent clients with many different types of dog bite injuries, including:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Other types of soft tissue injuries
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Concussions
- Knee, shoulder, and other joint injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Severe infections, which can lead to sepsis, shock, and even a need for amputation
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
The mental impact of a dog attack can also be lasting. Our lawyers will also consider your “invisible” trauma and suffering as we’re building your claim for compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Illinois?
The statute of limitations is a law that sets a firm deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Illinois, you typcially have two years from the date the dog attacked you to file a personal injury lawsuit. After the two-year deadline passes, you cannot pursue compensation.
Exceptions do exist, but they’re rare. These exceptions primarily impact minor children, who generally have two years from the date of their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit if their parents do not take legal action on their behalf.
What Are the Laws that Govern Dog Bite Injury Claims in Illinois?
States differ when it comes to dog bite injuries. Some states allow dog owners to avoid financial responsibility if their dog has never bitten before.
Illinois isn’t one of those states. When it comes to dog bite injuries, the law imposes strict liability on the dog’s owner. The dog’s owner can be responsible for your injuries even if they had no idea their dog had vicious tendencies.
To win compensation in your case, you must prove the following:
- You were either on public property or lawfully on private property
- You were behaving peacefully
- You did nothing to provoke the animal
- The dog attacked you or attempted to attack you
- The dog injured you
- The nature and value of the damages you suffered
The dog owner’s actions aren’t necessarily relevant. Dog owners are responsible for injuries their dogs cause in Illinois, even if they were careful.
Can Negligence Be Relevant to an Illinois Dog Bite Claim?
Yes. Dog owners can be strictly liable for their dog’s actions. Third parties, however, may also share financial responsibility if they were negligent.
Illinois premises liability laws can also be relevant in dog bite injury claims. Property owners in Illinois generally have a responsibility to ensure their property is reasonably safe.
To win a premise liability claim, you’ll have to prove:
- You were lawfully on the premises (you weren’t trespassing)
- The owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the risk the dog presented
- The owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the animal attack
- The dog did attack and injure you
- You suffered damages
As in any personal injury case, multiple parties may share liability for your injuries. Identifying each of them can be crucial to getting a full settlement–especially if your injuries were serious.
Call a Seasoned Illinois Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
A dog bite can have a significant impact on your future. You deserve to have an experienced Illinois dog bite lawyer advocating for full compensation. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today to learn how our team can fight to protect your legal interests.
