Personal Injury

Dog Bite Injuries

Each year, millions of dog bites are reported across the United States, yet many more go unreported. Experiencing an attack by a dog or other domestic animal can be terrifying and traumatic, and cause significant injury.

In Illinois, in order to prove a dog or other animal is liable for a bite, an injured person must show that:

  • The dog or other animal attacked, attempted to attack or injured the person.
  • The person had a lawful right to be in the place he or she was when attacked or injured, and
  • The dog or animal was not provoked.

Illinois’ dog bite law covers both injuries caused by animal bites and injuries caused by other animal behaviors. For instance, if a person is walking down a public sidewalk and a dog runs out of its yard and jumps on the person, knocking him down and causing injury, the injured person may seek compensation under Illinois law.

When it comes to animal bites or other injuries caused by animals, Illinois is a “strict liability” state, meaning the animal’s owner cannot argue that he or she had no warning of the animal’s aggressive or injury-causing tendencies. If an animal injures a person without provocation, the owner is liable – even if the owner had no previous knowledge that the animal might cause injuries.

Common dog bite injuries include:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Broken bones and bone dislocation
  • Lacerations, contusions and abrasions
  • Amputation
  • Disfigurement and scarring of the face, hands and legs
  • Infection
  • Psychological and emotional trauma
  • Death

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries as a result of a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation for payment of current and ongoing medical expenses, mental health treatment, emotional and psychological distress, loss of wages and income earning ability, disfigurement and scarring and pain and suffering.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations on dog bites is two years from the date of the dog bite.

Central Illinois Dog Bite Attorney

At LeFante Law Offices, P.C. our skilled attorneys are highly experienced at dealing with personal injury law and can assist you in recovering compensation for your dog bite injury.

To schedule a free legal consultation, please call the Peoria dog bite lawyers at LeFante Law Offices today at 309-999-1111. Or contact us electronically by using this online form.