Illinois is one of the leading states in the nation for dog bite injury claims. If you were injured or attacked by a dog or other pet, then you may have the right to seek compensation. You do not have to prove negligence, recklessness, or knowledge of aggressive animal behavior to recover compensation. Dog owners are strictly responsible for injuries their pets cause, even if they had no knowledge their dogs could be violent.
It can take considerable effort to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, scars, and pain and suffering. At Rodriguez Legal Group LLC, we understand the trauma associated with dog bites and will help you recover the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Illinois Dog Bite Law
Under Illinois statute 510 ILCS 5/16, individuals are liable for injuries caused by their dogs or other animals if their pet, without provocation, attacks, tries to attack, or injures any person who is peacefully and lawfully in a place.
If you were trespassing or your actions provoked the attack, then you may have a difficult time recovering compensation for your injuries. However, never assume you cannot make a claim for compensation. Speak with an experienced dog bites injury lawyer to learn about your rights and legal options.
What is Means to Provoke an Attack
A dog owner may try to claim you provoked their pet into attacking you. This is one of the easiest ways for a dog owner to escape liability for your injuries. To prepare for this situation, you must understand what provocation of an animal entails. Provocation means to deliberately annoy or anger. A dog owner may claim you provoked the attack by poking, taunting, teasing, or behaving aggressively toward the dog. He or she may allege your method of trying to play caused the dog to bite you, particularly if you were withholding a toy or food. To establish this defense, it is up to the dog owner to present evidence of the provocation, such as witnesses or video. While provocation of an attack is a defense for the animal's owner, it may become your responsibility to prove you did not provoke the dog. You may have to thoroughly explain your actions, providing as much evidence as you can. It may also benefit you to gather and provide evidence that the dog has behaved this way in the past without provocation.
Recovering Compensation for a Dog Bite
If you were hurt by a dog, you may have the option to try to recover compensation through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. In many situations, a homeowner's insurance or pet liability policy will cover the costs of your injuries. However, if an insurance settlement is not possible or likely, an Illinois dog bite lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim within two years of your injury.
Call The Rodriguez Legal Group at 312-243-6200, located in the West Loop.