Illinois Dog Bite Laws and Your Chicago Dog Bite Claim

Illinois has strict laws regarding unprovoked dog attacks. If a dog bites someone in the state of Illinois, and that person was neither provoking the dog nor breaking the law at the time, the owner of the dog may be held responsible for the damages to the victim.  

The Illinois law that reflects this is statute 510 ILCS 5/16 Section 16, which states:

"If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in a place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby."

Damages that the victim may be compensated for include medical expenses, cosmetic surgery, and any mental anguish that they experienced. To recover such damages, the victim must prove to a court that the dog bite was the cause of these damages.

When a Chicago dog bite case is strong enough-for instance, the evidence shows that an unleashed dangerous dog entered the yard of the victim where it then attacked a child unprovoked-the owner of the dog may choose to settle the case before it goes to court. To negotiate a settlement, or to file a Chicago dog bite lawsuit, you can get the professional help of a Chicago dog bite lawyer.

If you have been bitten by someone else's dog in Chicago or the surrounding areas, you may wish to claim compensation in an Illinois dog bite lawsuit. To learn more about damages in a dog bite claim, visit our article library. 

Hiring a Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer

You should be able to recover from your injuries without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injuries, you can take comfort in knowing you don't have to handle an injury alone.

When you have the help of a trusted Chicago dog bite lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you'll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long-term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080