Dog Bite Attorneys Serving Winnebago County

Illinois dog owners have an obligation to protect the public against injuries their pets may cause, but they may be careless in complying with their legal duties. If you suffer a dog bite due to the negligence of the animal’s owner, your losses may be considerable. However, state laws on filing a claim are complicated and you may not fully understand your rights to compensation.

The lawyers at Brassfield, Krueger & Ramlow, Ltd. have assisted many dog bite victims in Winnebago County and throughout Northern Illinois since our founding seven decades ago. We have in-depth knowledge of the laws covering animal attacks, and extensive experience both at the negotiations table and in court. We are committed to ensuring you recover compensation for the losses you suffer due to a dog bite injury.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation Under Illinois Dog Bite Laws

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, you may recover monetary damages from a negligent dog owner if you can prove:

• The animal injured, attacked, or tried to attack you;
• The attack occurred when you were legally present on the property where the attack took place; and,
• You or another person did not provoke the dog in any way in the moments before the animal attacked you.

Based upon these essential elements of a dog bite claim, you can see that there is no requirement to demonstrate that the animal had vicious tendencies or had bitten someone in the past. Under this principle, Illinois is considered a strict liability state and the pet owner does not gain the advantage of a “free bite” rule. However, you must establish that you were not trespassing at the time of the attack. A pet owner may claim a defense where you had illegally entered upon the property where the incident happened.

In addition, note that you do not need to prove that you were bitten by the dog in order to recover damages. It is enough to show that you were injured, such as by being pushed to the ground, scratched, or otherwise mauled.

Damages in a Dog Bite Case

If you are successful in establishing your right to compensation in an animal attack case, you may be able to recover damages for:

• Your medical costs, including emergency care, surgery, prescription medications, reconstructive procedures, and ongoing treatment;
• Any lost wages you sustain due to being out of work after the attack;
• Pain and suffering;
• Psychological and psychiatric medical care, which is common in dog bite cases that result in a fear of animals; and,
• Losses related to your personal relationships, including your spouse, children, and other loved ones.

Talk to an Experienced Winnebago County Dog Bite Attorney Today

For more information on your right to compensation after suffering injuries in an animal attack, please contact Brassfield, Krueger & Ramlow, Ltd. by calling 815.398.9700 or visiting our website. We can set up a free case assessment with one of our knowledgeable lawyers to discuss your circumstances and review your legal options.