The CDC accounts for about 4.5 million dog bites every year in America. The highest number of victims are children and the elderly. But what happens when your dog bites someone? You could end up in a civil or criminal court with a suit. Call a dog bite injury lawyer today for more information.
Negligent Dog Owner
If you are keeping a vicious or dangerous dog, it becomes a felony when it hurts someone due to your failure to restrain it carefully. You may end up paying a claim due to the dog injury. According to the Illinois Bar Journal, the number of dog-bite claims is on the rise. The insurance information Institute indicates that more than a third of homeowner insurance liability claims are dog-related injuries.
What To Prove in Court After a Dog Bite
Illinois does not follow the one dog bite rule like other states. As a dog owner, you are entirely liable if your dog attacks someone else, attempts to attack or injures someone else without any provocation. However, even with strict liability, the victim still has to prove that there is a reasonable basis for owner liability.
They need to provide evidence that your dog attempted to attack or caused an injury on them. The victim should also show that they had the right to be where the incident occurred, and they did not provoke the dog in any way.
In some cases, you may be liable for a dog bite even if the dog is not yours. Such incidents happen when you are in charge of someone else’s dog at the time of the accident.
There are various damages that you may have to settle, depending on the type of bite. When your dog bites someone, you may have to pay them economic losses, such as reimbursement for medical bills, missed work, and plastic surgery, as well as emotional damages. When your dog attacks another dog, you will have to pay according to the value of the damage inflicted.
If you or someone you know suffered a dog bite injury, please contact a Chicago personal injury attorney with Curcio & Casciato today. Call our office at 312-321-1111 to schedule your free consultation.
