Dogs make great pets, and many people love them dearly. Unfortunately, sometimes they can also be aggressive and attack. Getting hurt by a dog is a highly traumatic experience and can leave victims with long-term physical and psychological injuries.
Mental anguish and psychological damages are particularly possible for children after an attack. They have a more difficult time processing what happened to them than an adult would. If you are not provoking an animal and they attack you, a personal injury attorney at The Kryder Law Group could help you hold the pet owner financially responsible. If you sustained injuries in an attack, contact an experienced Schaumburg dog bite lawyer to schedule a time to meet.
Liability for Dog Bite Damages
Many states across the country have a “one bite rule,” meaning if the canine bites someone for the first time, they are not legally accountable for damages. That rule does not exist in Illinois.
The owner of a canine that bites or attacks another person is liable for damages if they were negligent, even if it is the first incident. Owner negligence includes failure to warn the public their pet is aggressive or not restraining the animal to prevent them from causing harm to others. A Schaumburg attorney could further help you understand liability in an animal attack and how that could effect the outcome of your case.
Compensation after a Schaumburg Animal Attack
After a person sustains damages from an aggressive animal, they could be eligible to collect compensation for economic and non-economic damages. A Schaumburg canine bite attorney could help gather the evidence necessary to calculate and prove the total amount of potential compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover monetary, out-of-pocket costs a person suffers after their accident. Compensation covers current and future medical expenses, ongoing medical expenses, and lost wages. Award amounts under this category could also cover the loss of benefits, including insurance and retirement.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses a person sustains after being hurt by an aggressive dog. Award amounts could cover pain and suffering, mental pain and anguish, permanent disability and disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. If the injured party is married, this category could also cover loss of consortium and companionship.
State Animal Control Act
The Animal Control Act makes pet owners liable for damages from attacks in almost all circumstances. As per Illinois Compiled Statutes 510 ILCS 5/, if the victim of a dog attack can establish they sustained injuries by an animal they did not provoke, the owner is liable.
The legislation applies to bites, attacks, and when the animal attempts to attack, and you sustain injuries when trying to get away. An aggressive dog injury attorney in Schaumburg could conduct a thorough investigation and evidence review to prove the owner was negligent.
Schedule a Consultation with a Schaumburg Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs are man’s best friends and make excellent companions and pets. However, sometimes they can be aggressive, and if they bite or attack, they can cause extensive damages. If an owner is negligent, and you suffer the consequences, you should not have to cover the expenses.
After you are hurt by an animal, it is always best to contact a legal professional at The Kryder Law Group immediately. They could handle the legal work and negotiations and help you get the compensation you deserve. If you sustained injuries in an attack, contact a seasoned Schaumburg dog bite lawyer right away to schedule a consultation.
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