Dog Bite Lawyer in Chicago, IL
It’s a beautiful day outside, and you decide to go for a long walk in the park. Then, it happens. You come around the corner and are face to face with an unleashed dog — an angry-looking one. Before you know it, the dog is upon you and has taken a bite from your leg or other parts of your body.
The dog itself isn’t to blame, but irresponsible owners might be. Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, dog owners must keep careful control of their pets or face liability actions in civil court that could require them to pay for medical care, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
The Animal Control Act puts several other obligations on dog owners, such as requiring them to be kept inside a fence. If you’ve suffered a dog bite, you may need an experienced dog bite lawyer in Illinois. Let the team at Alvarez Law provide the representation you deserve to get compensation for any dog bite injuries you may have suffered.
What To Do After a Dog Bite?
Tiger, Tiger by Beny Shlevich is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
No one sets out on their day expecting to become the victim of a dog bite. These situations typically develop suddenly, leaving you feeling disoriented, scared, and hurt. Your first thought should appropriately be for your well-being and the safety of others in the area.
If the dog isn’t under the control of its owner, and your injuries are mild, you may want to try to keep others, particularly children, from getting in harm’s way. If others also suffer bites, you should check on their need for medical care and provide help if possible.
If you’re seriously injured, you should focus most of your attention on caring for yourself. Call paramedics if you can, or ask someone nearby to contact authorities. If you’ve suffered a severe wound, focus on slowing or stopping the bleeding.
If your injuries are mild, once the situation seems stabilized and you feel up to it, you should gather some information for the record. Make quick notes about what happened. Get the names and contact information of witnesses and the dog’s owner. Specifically, ask the owner to provide you with records of the dog’s vaccinations.
If, on the other hand, the situation still seems volatile, opt for your security first. Use good judgment. In a serious incident, the police may be needed to help document what happened and can help obtain the names of the owner and any witnesses.
How Can Lawyers Help In Dog Bite Cases?
Dog bites broadly fall under the category of personal injury law, which seeks to compensate victims and hold those who exhibit recklessness or negligence accountable for their actions. In the aftermath of a dog attack, seeking the assistance of lawyers may be far from your mind. But it makes sense to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
Dog bite lawyers in Chicago will provide a range of services for clients. First and foremost, the team at Alvarez law will gather initial information about the incident and assess whether your case qualifies for a personal injury claim or lawsuit based on the law and the facts.
If we accept your case, we’ll work with you to investigate and collect evidence about the attack, including gathering police reports, correspondence, emails, or text messages. We’ll also seek to interview witnesses. Initially, we’ll focus on negotiating with the dog owner’s insurance company.
Insurance companies are risk averse and will want to try to resolve the case without taking on the uncertainties of trial. The most crucial thing to remember is to let your attorneys talk with the insurance company to avoid feeling pressured into an unjustifiably low settlement.
If a settlement is impossible, then Alvarez Law will take your case to the next level and file a lawsuit. The litigation process can be long and challenging, as it may involve depositions, motions, and even a trial. Always keep in mind that a case can be settled at any time.
Dog Bite Injury Damages
One meaningful way we serve is by helping you establish and document a realistic claim for compensation. This can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but generally, you should only ask for what you can document in damages. Personal injury cases generally cover two types of damages.
The first is direct economic losses, including medical care in the immediate aftermath of the dog bite and follow-up care required for lingering injuries. This can include the need for physical or psychological therapy. If the attack puts you out of work for a while, you may seek compensation for lost wages and earnings potential. The second category is non-economic damages, which cover more subjective matters such as pain and suffering and any lingering emotional impacts from the bite.
Illinois classifies dog bites as “strict liability” cases, meaning that plaintiffs don’t necessarily have to prove negligence or recklessness. For instance, dog owners can’t say that they were unaware that their dogs had a tendency toward acting aggressively. Illinois law holds out the presumption that all dogs may be dangerous, so owners are liable if they fail to keep their pets under control.
Experienced Dog-Bite Attorneys
If a dog has bitten you, our personal injury law team at Alvarez Law, serving clients in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana, is ready to represent you and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. We bring extensive experience in personal injury litigation, including dog bites, slips and falls, vehicle, truck and pedestrian accidents, and other instances where someone’s negligence or recklessness results in injury.
Our team will stand by you throughout your case and advocate for your needs so you can focus on getting back to normal. We’ll make sure your case is thoroughly investigated and represent you in official proceedings, including, if necessary, negotiating with insurance carriers for a settlement. Call us or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
About Alvarez Law
With over 200 years of combined experience, Alvarez Law is ready to take on your case. Since 1974, our law office has been dedicated to providing our clients with the representation they deserve in what can be a life-altering time. Our team can ensure that your case will be thoroughly investigated, and we will fight to seek the best possible outcome. We want to provide you with the confidence that you can trust our team. Our dedicated attorneys will provide you with the support and experience you need during this difficult time.
Our law firm has two former prosecutors on staff who know the methods and tactics of prosecution. This knowledge is used to ensure your freedom isn’t left to chance. Whether you’ve been accused of a felony or misdemeanor, Alvarez Law Office will use this advantage in your favor.
Reach Out to Alvarez Law Today
A conviction can change the course of your life in an instant. A criminal record can make it harder to find a job or find a place to live in the future, depending on your charges. Whether you’re being investigated or have already been arrested, you should contact a lawyer first thing.
If you need a criminal defense attorney, reach out to the team at Alvarez Law today. One of our experienced attorneys will be glad to discuss your case and see what we can do for you. You can reach us by phone at (219) 641-3128 or fill out our quick form online today. We have several convenient locations to better serve our clients throughout Indiana and Illinois. Our team looks forward to working with you and providing you with the representation that you deserve.
