If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the owner for economic and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify, but they are important when it comes to proving that the dog owner deserved to be sued for the injuries. An attorney at Taxman Pollock Murray & Bekkerman, LLC can help you determine if you have a case and will help you collect the proper evidence, including bills, to make your case.
Laws governing dog bites in Illinois
A person who is bitten by a dog in Illinois may have grounds for a lawsuit. Illinois’ statutes govern dog bites and provide that the state health administrator is required to confine the animal for 10 days. Anyone with knowledge of the dog’s attack must notify the health administrator. During the ten-day confinement period, the owner cannot dispose of the dog, but may still retain it in a cage or kennel.
The owner of a dog is the person who has the legal right to care for it, or who has given it permission to be on the premises. Those who keep a feral cat may be exempted under Illinois’ law. Although some states follow the “one-bite rule,” Illinois does not. You can be legally responsible for the attack of a dog if you have never neutered your dog and have been around it for a while.
A dog owner’s liability for a dog attack is governed by 510 ILCS 5/15. Illinois’ strict liability dog bite law makes it possible to hold the owner of a dog responsible for the victim’s injuries even if the owner did not intend to cause them harm. Illinois also goes one step further than many states do, holding dog owners responsible for the damages incurred by the victim. If you were bitten by a dog, the owner of the dog is responsible for your injuries, including lost wages, physical damage, and pain and suffering.
If you are injured by a dog, you should call the police immediately. It is crucial to get the police report, as the police are neutral observers who can assist you with filing an insurance claim. Also, a police report will help you collect insurance information from the dog owner, if applicable. Taking legal action after a dog attack can help you recover damages. If you are not able to pay the vet bills yourself, you should consider filing a lawsuit to collect compensation for your injuries.
Victims’ rights
Having suffered a dog bite, you may be wondering if you can pursue legal action against the owner of the dog. Depending on the severity of the injury, a dog attack may lead to multiple types of injuries, including puncture wounds, severe lacerations, broken bones, and damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin. The right to file a lawsuit may allow you to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and scarring and disfigurement.
Thankfully, the laws regarding dog bites protect victims from such attacks. In Wisconsin, for example, a dog owner is strictly liable for the injury or damage caused by his or her dog. Whether a dog bite victim was at home, walking on a sidewalk, or even at a dog park, the owner is liable for the damages caused by the attack. If the dog bite victim can prove that the dog owner was negligent, they can pursue compensation from the owner of the dog.
Often, a dog bite victim is a child. Many dogs can become aggressive around children, and owners should do their best to prevent them from getting bitten by a dog. However, the dog owner can be held accountable for the attack and be held financially responsible for the victim’s medical bills and lost wages. Our firm has extensive experience working with minor children. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights. There is no reason to suffer in silence. We can help you fight for justice. We will aggressively pursue the best possible outcome.
Although dogs are beloved pets, they can be dangerous. When a dog bites you, it can cause devastating injuries. Because of the seriousness of the injury, a dog bite victim can pursue financial compensation from the owner. Under California law, strict liability holds the owner of the dog responsible for any injuries caused by the dog. No matter how vicious the dog was, California’s strict liability law makes the owner liable for all damages caused by the attack.
Bringing a lawsuit against a dog owner
When it comes to dog bites and injuries, the responsible parties are the owner of the dog and the homeowner. While landlord liability is often difficult to prove, it can happen when a dog owner is negligent. Homeowners’ policies generally cover this type of case. Renters’ policies are much rarer. If you were injured by a dog on someone’s property, you can bring a lawsuit.
It is important to note that laws governing animal companion suits are highly variable. State laws can vary widely, and you should always research the rules in your area before filing a lawsuit. According to the Michigan State University Animal Legal and Historical Center, strict liability applies when a dog bites someone. If you are not sure what laws your state has regarding animal attacks, contact an experienced attorney who understands the laws in your state.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that millions of people are bitten by dogs each year. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people require emergency medical attention. Sadly, many of these cases lead to dog bite lawsuits. To strengthen your case, you can take these steps:
In Wisconsin, strict liability applies. If a dog bites or attacks someone, the owner is legally responsible. If the dog has a history of biting or attacking people, the owner can be held liable for double the damages. Depending on the severity of the injuries caused by a dog bite, this could take anywhere from six months to a year or more. For most dog bite lawsuits, you must file within three years after the dog attack or injury.
Documentation requirements
Dog bite cases in Illinois are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This applies to most types of personal injury cases, including dog bites. Once a dog bite has occurred, however, the victim has two years to file a claim and recover financial compensation. To file a dog bite claim in Illinois, the victim must contact the city’s animal control department or a participating veterinarian. The city will determine which documents the dog owner must provide.
Illinois law holds dog owners liable for any injuries caused by their pets. If the victim was on the owner’s property, trespassing on the property, or provoked the animal, the dog owner can be held liable for the injury. In addition, the owner can be held liable even if the dog did not intentionally attack the victim. In Illinois, a victim must prove that the dog was not provoked by the owner, or that he or she knew the dog was dangerous.
Insurance companies are notorious for settling cases with victims, so dog owners should have liability insurance. Even if the dog bite attorney decides to settle the case for a small amount, the insurance company will likely try to minimize their costs by arguing that the victim provoked the dog. Dog owners must also have a license to keep aggressive pets in the city, so they can be held liable for any injuries caused by their pets.
If a Chicago-area dog owner has been notified of an incident that involves a dangerous dog, he or she can file a complaint against the owner of the dog in the circuit court. The lawsuit must be filed within 35 days of the incident, and a civil hearing must be held. The hearing must be conducted under the Illinois Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure and discovery provisions are involved. If the dog owner has violated these rules, the court will order compensation for the injured party.
Damages awarded in a dog bite case
A jury can award punitive damages in a dog bite case when the defendant is responsible for the injury. This occurs when the defendant knows that the dog is known for biting and/or training it to do so. It is important to remember that punitive damages can also include other damages for which the dog owner is liable. In a Georgia dog bite case, damages awarded are based on clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intended to harm the victim.
Non-economic damages, or “general damages,” are not quantifiable and are frequently disputed. There are several proposed systems to estimate a suitable amount of general damages. One such method is claims calculators that apply multipliers to specific damages. Higher multipliers are given to aggravating factors. However, their accuracy is questionable. Furthermore, many people are emotionally distraught after suffering a dog attack. Therefore, different people may experience different amounts of pain and suffering.
Punitive damages can be awarded for severe dog bites. The victim must suffer disfigurement, disabilities, and loss of quality of life. If the victim qualifies for punitive damages, the Torgenson Law team can analyze their case and argue for fair compensation. If you have been injured in a dog attack, contact a qualified dog bite attorney today to discuss your case. It may be worth your time to speak with a legal professional about the case.
In addition to compensatory damages, the dog owner may be responsible for the injuries inflicted on you by their pet. These awards cover pain and suffering, as well as the economic losses incurred by the victim. Special damages include medical costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Punitive damages are often awarded for the owner who intentionally breeds a dangerous dog. So if you or a family member was hurt by a vicious dog, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from them.
