If you’re a dog lover, it’s tempting to go up to every dog you see and pet it. However, just because a dog seems nice does not mean they will react well to a stranger petting them. There are roughly 4.5 million dog bites that occur in the United States every year, with 1 in 5 bites becoming infected. Liability for injuries obtained due to a dog bite is different in every state; under Illinois law, dog bite victims are eligible for compensation under negligence, negligence per se, scienter and intentional tort. Rely on our personal injury lawyers in Rockford, Il to help build your case and bring it to fruition.
Animal Control Act
There is an Illinois state statute called the Animal Control Act that makes owners liable for any injuries that occur to others without negligence on the part of the defendant. If a dog attacks, attempts to attack, or injures another person who is keeping to themselves in any place where they may lawfully be, the owner is liable for the full amount of civil damages that occur.
Trespassers
If you are bitten by a dog that is located on someone’s private property and you trespass, you will not have a strong court case. You also will not have a strong case if you provoke the animal and it results in an injury.
Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit
Our personal injury lawyer in Rockford, Il is ready to help you file your dog bite lawsuit. This type of lawsuit is more straightforward than other personal injury cases. Keep in mind that your injuries must be a direct result of the dog bite.
When determining the number of damages you endured, make a list of current and future medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, permanent scarring and permanent disability.
Collecting Evidence
Collecting tangible evidence is important when filing your case. Without it, you won’t be able to receive the compensation you deserve. Evidence includes photographs of the scene, photographs of your injuries, medical bills, incident reports and witness reports. From there, our personal injury lawyers in Rockford, Il will be able to help negotiate your settlement.
Our team at the American Law Firm has the experience you need to successfully navigate your dog bite lawsuit. If you are interested in our services, please contact our team at the American Law Firm today for a free consultation.
