Dogs are thought of as loyal companions and loving pets. However, it is important to remember that dogs are animals capable of inflicting profound or even fatal injuries. It is estimated that nearly 5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S. If a dog bit you or a loved one, you may have questions about your legal options. You may wonder if you can sue the dog’s owner and seek compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Fortunately, Illinois law does allow dog bite victims to pursue damages when a dog owner’s negligence causes them harm.
Illinois Dog Bite Liability Law
Owning a dog is a serious responsibility. In addition to caring for the dog’s health and safety, dog owners must also consider the safety of others. The Illinois Animal Control Act allows victims of dog attacks to seek legal remedies for dog bite injuries. In some states, an injured person must prove that an owner was aware of a dog’s aggressive nature in order to recover compensation for dog attack injuries. Fortunately, Illinois is not one of these states. A victim can recover compensation if:
-
The injury was caused by the defendant’s dog.
...