A dog bite can happen in seconds and leave injuries that last for years. Deep puncture wounds, torn skin, nerve damage, infection and scarring are all common, and children are especially likely to be bitten on the face and neck. Many victims also live with fear and anxiety around dogs long after the physical wounds have healed.
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC represents people who have been bitten or knocked down by a dog. We will investigate what happened, identify who is responsible for the animal, and pursue full compensation for your medical treatment, lost income, scarring, and pain and suffering.
Illinois Law Protects Dog Bite Victims
Illinois is one of the states that holds dog owners strictly liable for attacks. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, the owner of a dog that attacks or injures someone without provocation is responsible for the injuries, as long as the person was behaving peaceably and was somewhere they had a legal right to be. You generally do not need to prove the dog had bitten anyone before or that the owner knew it was dangerous.
The law's definition of an owner is broad. It can include not only the person who owns the dog, but also someone who was keeping or caring for it at the time, or who knowingly allowed it to stay on their property. That can matter a great deal when deciding whose insurance policy covers your claim.
- The dog attacked or injured you
- You did not provoke the dog
- You were acting peaceably
- You were in a place where you were lawfully allowed to be
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Get medical care right away, even if the wound seems minor, because dog bites carry a high risk of infection. If you can, find out who owns the dog, take photos of your injuries and the location, and get the names of anyone who saw the attack. Reporting the bite to local animal control also creates an official record. Illinois generally allows two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury claim, so it is best not to wait.
Talk to a Naperville Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or your child was hurt by a dog, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help. We work on contingency fees, so you do not pay unless we recover compensation for you. To begin with a free consultation, please contact us at 630-364-2188. We serve clients across the Chicagoland area from our offices in Naperville and Joliet.