Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
Chicago dog bite attorneys, Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have handled many dog bite case and based on their experience have seen that one of the most important factors in these cases is whether the dog owner owns a house or not. The reason for this is that Illinois requires homeowner’s insurance policies to include coverage for dog bites. The most heartbreaking cases are when a person is badly injured by a dog bite and the dog owner rents and does not have insurance coverage. In that case the dog bite victim is left with insures and medical bills with most likely no compensation.
If there is homeowner’s insurance coverage then liability in these type of cases is usually fairly clear. Pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act the owner of the dog or the person who takes care of the dog is liable for any damages if the dog bites someone. The state of Illinois has done away with the “free first bite” rule in which there was no liability for the bite if this was the first time the dog bit some one.
However, pursuant to the Illinois Animal Control Act there are two defenses in which the dog owner can claim to preclude. One, that the dog was provoked. This means actions like kicking the dog or hitting the dog. this does like include actions like petting the dog or walking near the dog. Illinois follows a “normal dog” standard. It is assumed that a normal dog does not bite someone when the dog is petted. The second defense is that the dog bite victim was trespassing at the time of the attack.
If you are injured by a dog attack you are entitled by law to be compensated for medical bills, pain & suffering, loss of a normal life, wage loss and disfigurement such as a scar. Dog bite cases in particular may involve scars. A visible scar on the face or leg can be devastating to a persons self esteem regarding their looks. As such a person is entitled to receive money compensation for any disfigurement caused by a dog bite.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite injury, Call the dog bite lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. for a free consultation to ensure that your rights are protected.