Elgin Dog Bite Lawyer

Many residents in Elgin take joy in the companionship and comfort that their dogs bring to them. Unfortunately, some dogs have been known to bite people, and those wounds can cause emotional, physical, and financial harm.

If you recently suffered the pain of a dog bite, you might be facing a lengthy recuperation, which includes multiple doctors’ visits, painful surgeries, and hospital stays. The bites might also leave you with disfiguring scars that serve as a permanent reminder of the frightening attack, which can produce anxiety, stress, and depression. It can be difficult to pay for all of your medical bills, especially if your injuries have made it impossible for you to work.

Fortunately, an Elgin dog bite lawyer could help you pursue a judgment that could ease some of your financial burdens. A compassionate personal injury attorney is available to help.

Common Factors Involved in Dog Attacks

Not every person who is attacked by a dog suffers the same degree of harm. Sometimes, people are able to fend off the dog before being seriously bitten. Others are not as fortunate and may suffer extensive lacerations, deep wounds, tissue loss, crushed or broken bones, nervous system damage, and muscle damage. Some of the factors that can influence the severity of a canine attack are as follows:

• The dog’s breed: Statistics show that some breeds are more prone to biting than other breeds.
• The dog’s size: It is generally easier to escape or fend off a dog attack when the dog is smaller and lighter.
• The person’s size: The person’s size often determines where on their body the dog bites them and how severe the damage is.
• The age of the person: A small child who approaches a dog might suffer disfiguring bites to the face or neck, while an adult might only sustain defensive wounds to their arms or their clothed legs.
• The length of the dog attack: If the person manages to get away quickly, they would likely suffer fewer long-term effects than if the attack is prolonged.
• Access to medical care: Those who receive quick access to high-quality urgent medical care will likely suffer less long-term damage.

An Elgin animal attack lawyer could help an injured claimant recover damages to compensate them for all of their physical and emotional losses.

How to Prevail in a Dog Attack Case in Elgin

Illinois law establishes how a dog owner can be legally responsible for dog bite injuries. According to 510 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/16 , in order to prevail in court against a dog owner, an injured claimant needs to demonstrate:

• That the dog attacked or injured the claimant
• That they were not a trespasser and had a legal right to be in the place where the attack occurred
• That they did not provoke the dog

Because the dog bite statute is a strict liability statute, injured claimants do not need to show that the dog owner was negligent. In other words, they do not need to prove that the dog had a history of aggressiveness, and dog owners cannot use their pet’s prior history of good behavior as a defense.

A local dog bite attorney could help formulate the argument that shows strict liability on behalf of the defendant, and tally up the calculable losses to make a case for compensation.

Contact an Elgin Dog Bite Attorney as Soon as Possible

Animal bites have the potential to cause serious complications if not dealt with right away. If you suffered serious injuries in an unprovoked dog attack, an Elgin dog bite lawyer could provide the legal knowledge that you need to secure victory. Reach out to our team of dedicated and compassionate attorneys to discuss your situation.