Who Pays for Medical Bills Resulting from a Dog Bite in Illinois? 

 Posted on February 10,2023 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Dog bites can lead to painful injuries and dangerous infections. Many dog bite victims require medical treatment such as emergency room visits, stitches, and antibiotics. Severe dog bites may require surgical intervention and physical therapy. For many people bitten by dogs, the physical injuries are just the start of their suffering. Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying experience to go through and victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and fear of dogs in the future. They may need professional mental health care to deal with these symptoms.

In Illinois, animal owners are typically liable for damages caused by their pets. If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. A personal injury lawyer experienced in dog-related injury claims can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Injuries Caused by Dogs?

In Illinois, a dog owner must pay for any injury the animal causes regardless of whether or not the owner knew their dog had aggressive tendencies. Dog owners must take responsibility for their pet’s actions or risk facing a lawsuit. There are only a few situations in which a dog owner is not legally responsible for dog bite injuries, including situations in which the victim was trespassing on private property or intentionally provoking the dog.

Illinois law allows an injured person to seek compensation for non-bite injuries caused by a dog as well. For example, if someone was knocked down by a dog and broke their arm, they may be able to file a claim and recover financial compensation.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive for a Dog Bite?

The amount of compensation you can receive for a dog bite injury depends on the severity of your injuries. Generally, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills - ER treatment, hospitalization, medications, surgical procedures, physical therapy, and psychological counseling may be recoverable through a personal injury claim.

• Lost wages - If you were unable to work due to the dog bite, you may be able to recover lost wages from missed time at work.

• Pain and suffering - You may also be able to recover compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by your injury.

Contact our Waukegan Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

The experienced Lake County personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP are dedicated to helping dog bite victims pursue the compensation they deserve. We offer free, no-obligation initial case assessments. Call 847-662-3303 today.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=051000050K16