Can I Bring a Personal Injury Claim Against a Negligent Dog Owner?

 Posted on February 12, 2021 in Dog Bites

Dogs can be lovable companions. However, they are still animals with sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Almost five million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States. Dog bites can cause nerve damage, broken bones, infections, and other serious injuries. Non-bite injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries caused by being knocked to the ground by a dog, can also be severe. If you or a loved one were injured by a dog, you may be able to hold the negligent dog owner accountable and recover compensation through a personal injury claim.

Dog Bite Injuries Can Lead to Terrible Mental and Physical Scars

Being the victim of a dog attack is an extremely traumatic experience to go through. A dog bite victim may suffer severe tissue damage that requires significant medical treatment. Many dog bite victims sustain injuries to their face, which can leave them disfigured for months or years after the attack. A dog bite victim may require emergency room treatment, x-rays, and reconstructive surgery, psychological treatment, and other expensive medical care. These medical costs may be recoverable through a personal injury claim.

Illinois Dog Bite Laws

Dog owners should keep their pets on a leash or contained within their property. If a dog bites someone who is on public property or lawfully on private property, the dog’s owner may be liable for damages. In some states, a dog owner is only liable for dog attack injuries if the dog owner knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous. However, Illinois imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog attack injuries.

If you or your loved one were hurt in a dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing and future medical care
• Lost wages from missed work
• Impairment to your earning capacity caused by injuries
• Mental anguish and emotional trauma
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Disability
• Pain and suffering

Contact a Winnebago County Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or your loved one were the victim of a dog attack, you should know that you have rights. You may be able to hold the negligent dog owner responsible for the harm caused to you or your loved one. You may also be able to secure financial compensation for your financial and non-financial damages. A Rockford personal injury attorney from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, can help you bring an injury claim against the negligent dog owner. Call our office at 815-215-7561 for a free consultation to learn more.

Source:

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2019-06/new-study-identifies-most-damaging-dog-bites-by-breed/