If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Joliet, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your dog bite injuries. The experienced dog bite lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries that may require extensive medical treatment and leave permanent scarring. If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC has experience handling dog bite cases in Joliet and the surrounding areas. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
In this Article
Illinois’ Dog Bite Laws
In Illinois, the owner of a dog that bites someone can be held liable for the victim’s injuries under the state’s animal control laws.
Dog Owner Liability
Under Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/16) known as the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog owner is strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression or whether the owner was aware of the dog’s potential to hurt someone. The law states that if a dog, without provocation, attempts to attacks, attacks, or injures a person who is in a place where they are lawfully allowed and are peaceably conducting themselves, then the dog owner is fully responsible for the civil damages for the dog bite injuries. This law also covers other types of animal attacks.
This means that if you are bitten by a dog in Joliet, you can hold the owner responsible for your injuries, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and the owner had no way of knowing that the dog might bite someone.
We Represent Victims of a Vicious Dog Attack
The Kryder Law Group, LLC will investigate your case and determine whether the dog’s owner can be held liable for your dog bite injury. If we believe you have a case, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We represent dog bite victims in Joliet and throughout Illinois.
What is a One Bite Rule?
Many states have a “one bite rule” for determining liability for a dog attack or when another type of animal attacks. This standard for proving liability requires that the dog in question had a propensity for violence and that the dog’s owner was aware of it. This is often extremely difficult for victims to prove because of the unpredictable nature of dog bites. Victims typically have no prior exposure to or knowledge of the dangerous dog or its behavioral history. And understandably, the dog’s owners are unmotivated to cooperate in proving their dog is a “dangerous dog.”
No One Bite Rule in Illinois
Thankfully, in the state of Illinois, victims of dog attacks are not required to prove that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior. It is enough to simply show that you were bitten by a dog in an unprovoked attack in a place you were legally permitted to be. You may also file claims against dog owners for other injuries caused by a dog such as those resulting when a dog jumps on you.
Types of Injuries Caused by a Dog Attack
Dog bites can cause serious and sometimes permanent injuries. According to the CDC, nearly 1 of every 5 people with a dog bite injury require medical treatment. Some of the most common types of dog bite injuries include:
Puncture wounds – When a dog bites, its teeth can puncture the skin and underlying tissue, causing serious damage.
Lacerations – A dog’s nails can also cause lacerations, or deep cuts, in the skin.
Infections – A dog bite injury can also be contaminated with bacteria that can cause infections. Infections from dog bites can be very serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Nerve damage – A dog bite can damage nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling.
Scarring or facial injuries – Dog bites can cause permanent scars, especially if the wound becomes infected.
Emotional trauma – Dog attacks can also cause emotional trauma, especially in small children. Victims of dog attacks may suffer from anxiety, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Death – In some tragic cases, dog attacks can be fatal. Young children and the elderly are most at risk of dying from a dog attack.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free consultation. Our Joliet dog bite lawyers will review your case and determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries from the dog bite incident.
Compensation for Victims of Dog Attacks in Joliet
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Joliet, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. And if the worst has happened and you have lost a loved one due to a dog attack, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit against the dog’s owner.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Dog in Joliet
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Joliet, it is important to take the following steps:
Seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if the bite seems minor, it is important to have it examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Some dog bites can become infected, and infection can lead to serious medical complications.
Report the incident to the Joliet Police Department. The police will create a report, which can be used as evidence in your personal injury case.
Get the contact information for the dog’s owner. You will need this information to file a claim against the owner’s homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy. If the owner does not have insurance, you may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the owner.
Collect evidence of your injuries. This may include photographs of your injuries, medical records, and bills related to your treatment. It is important to keep this evidence in a safe place as it will be necessary to support your claim for compensation.
Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer at The Kryder Law Group, LLC to discuss your case.
Our attorneys will investigate your case and determine whether you are eligible to file a claim for compensation. If we believe you have a case, we will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Important Information About Dog Bites
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Joliet, it’s important to keep the following information about Illinois dog bite laws in mind:
Whether or not the owner restrained the dog, the pet owner is responsible for injuries caused to you by a bite from their dog
Victims of dog attacks are not required to prove that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior
You may be eligible for compensation if you were not trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the attack
Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case
Provocation and Trespassing
In a civil claim for damages against a dog owner, the two most common legal defenses raised by dog owners are provocation and trespassing. Illinois law only allows a person to recover for their injuries if they did not provoke the dog into the attack against them and if the victim was legally present in the location of the attack.
Therefore, if the dog owner can prove that the injured party was trespassing at the time the attack took place or that they were provoking the dog into the attack, the victim will be barred from recovering any financial compensation.
Get Help Now
The Kryder Law Group, LLC has experience handling all types of dog bite and personal injury cases in Joliet. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, contact our office today for a free consultation. We will review your case and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Do I Have a Case?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack and want to know if you have a case, the first step to find out is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
We will determine:
if the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries,
what insurance company policies or liability insurance may be available to you,
if you were trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the attack, and
what type of compensation you may be eligible to receive.
The lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC have experience handling all types of dog bite and personal injury cases. We will review your case and determine whether you may be entitled to seek compensation for your severe injuries.
How Can a Joliet Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, the dog bite attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve. We will investigate your case and gather evidence to support your claim. We will also deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Joliet, call the personal injury lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC for a free consultation. We will review your case and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
What You Get in Your Case Evaluation
When you call you can expect:
A free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer
(312) 223-1700