Lake County Dog Bite Lawyer

OVER $1 BILLION IN RECOVERIES FOR OUR CLIENTS

Most people have heard horror stories about dog bites, but it is less common knowledge that there are specific laws on the books to protect the general public in Lake County from animal attacks. If a dog bite leads to serious injuries, these laws provide a measure of justice by allowing injured people to seek compensation from the at-fault dog owner.

If you suffer an injury due to a dog bite, you may be eligible for compensation that a Lake County dog bite lawyer could help you recover. Contact a dedicated personal injury attorney to learn about your legal options and start working toward recouping the costs of your medical expenses.

The Basics of the Animal Control Act

The Illinois Animal Control Act regulates how owners are supposed to take care of their animals and prevent injuries to innocent parties. Though the Act applies to animals of all types, it is often used as a basis for recovery in dog bite cases.

There is a strict definition of an “owner” in the Illinois Animal Control Act that differs from the normal usage of the word. Though having property rights over a dog counts as ownership, so too does the regular custodial care of an otherwise feral animal under the Act. In other words, someone who has never paid for a dog may still be considered its owner—and be liable for damages the dog inflicts—if they exert a reasonable amount of control and care over that dog.

This can sometimes be a difficult rule to interpret, especially since there are many situations in which it does not apply. For instance, a landowner is not considered the owner of a dog simply by knowing that a dog lives on their land. In order to be liable, they must control the dog or regularly take care of it. An experienced Lake County dog bite lawyer may be able to help a potential plaintiff discern whether their case involves a liable owner under Illinois state law.

When the Animal Control Act Applies

Knowing when an injured person’s case falls under the Illinois Animal Control Act is crucial, as a case that does not meet the Act’s requirements may be ineligible for compensation. Once a plaintiff establishes that the defendant is the legal “owner” of the dog in question, several other elements must be met in order for the case to be viable:

  • The injured person did not entice the dog to attack
  • The injured person behaved in a calm and peaceful manner
  • The injured person was legally allowed to be in the area in which they were attacked

This means that dog bites that result from intruders onto private property or from people acting aggressively toward the dog or its owner may not be eligible for compensation. For more information about the Animal Control Act, contact a seasoned lawyer.

Damages Available in Dog Bite Cases

There are two kinds of damages for which an injured person may be able to recover compensation in Illinois. The more objective of the two categories, economic damages, cover monetary losses like medical bills and the cost of repairing property damaged in a dog attack. It can also include wages lost as a result of time taken off work to recover from a dog bite injury.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, include more subjective injuries that are difficult to assign a specific value, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium with a spouse, or the strain of permanent disfigurement. In some cases, it may be necessary for a dog bite lawyer in Lake County to bring expert witnesses into the court to testify on what fair values for non-economic damages would be.

The State of Illinois allows for punitive damages as well, though only at the court’s discretion and only in exceedingly rare instances. For an injured person to be awarded punitive damages, the owner must have acted willfully or with wanton recklessness in the incident.

Talk to a Lake County Dog Bite Attorney

If you are injured by a severe dog bite, call a Lake County dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. You and your family deserve to be compensated for any injury that was not your fault. By discussing your case with an experienced attorney, you could provide yourself with better representation in court and increase the likelihood of a positive resolution to your situation.

workers compensation attorneys in dc

​Put the power of Larry Disparti and the lawyers at the Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers to work for you and join the thousands who say… Larry Wins!

Featured on

PRACTICE AREAS

Car Accident

Truck Accident

Motorcycle Accident

Bicycle accident

Catastrophic Accident

Dog bite injury

Medical Malpractice

Nursing Home Abuse

Slip and fall

Product Liability

Traumatic Brain Injury

Uber Accident

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Fill out the form below or  call us 24/7 at 312-600-6000

    RECENT POSTS

    Client Review
    "Appreciate all your support, professionalism. Anytime you call your staff is great knowledge take the time listen and always keeps you informed. Thank you to Beth Hitel from all she did and settling the mediation in my favor.. highly reccommend the Disparti group."
    Timothy Ashcraft
    Client Review
    "The services provided were very professional. Adam Shapiro , my attorney, was knowledgeable, honest and extremely helpful. He worked with the other parties to make sure my settlement was the largest payout available. Nicole D .answered my questions for months with quick, knowledgeable answers."
    Joseph Gambina
    Client Review

    Why Hire Us?

    Here's What Our Clients Say

     

    "I love the service they provided. They took time to explain the procedure for my case, then they asked if there was anything else they could do. I appreciate the service and wouldn't trade it for the 🌍. Love my Lawyers. If you want to win try Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers."

    - Gwen

     

    "I feel you guys did a great job in handling my case."

    - V. Gentry

     

    "Was a great fit for me and would definitely recommend to family and friends."

    - Christine

     

    "It has been a wonderful experience working with Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers. They are highly recommended."

    - John

     

    "Very professional staff, great experience."

    - Lisa

     

    "I have NEVER, and I mean, EVER, had such a great experience dealing with lawyers.... I don't ever want to be in an accident again, but if I am, I'm calling Disparti Law. Fantastic service."

    - Dani

    Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago

    SuperLawyers2010
    SuperLawyers2011
    SuperLawyers2012
    SuperLawyers2014

    CONTACT LARRY

    FREE CASE EVALUATION

    YOU WON'T PAY A PENNY UNTIL LARRY WINS

      TAMPA

      1041 U.S. Highway 19
      Holiday, FL 34691
      727-600-6000

      CHICAGO

      121 W Wacker Drive, Suite 2300
      Chicago, IL 60601
      312-600-6000

      Read more: