Dog bite injuries are not only painful, but they often require extensive treatment, downtime, and missed work. Under the Illinois Dog Bite Statute (510 ILCS 5/16), those that are injured due to a dog bite attack and the attack meets specific requirements, may be eligible to recover for their damages and injuries from the dog’s owner and/or homeowner’s insurance policy.
Law 510 ILCS 5/16 states:
“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”
This means that to prove that the owner of a dog, or other animals, that has bitten is liable for the bite, the injured party must prove three things:
- The dog or other animal attempted to attack, attacked, or injured the victim.
- The victim had the legal right to be in the place where the attack occurred.
- The dog or other animal was not in any way provoked into attacking.
Proving Lost Wages
Determining how much you are entitled to due to lost wages after a dog bite attack can be difficult, and depends on how much you make and your earning potential. To be compensated for lost wages, you must first prove that the dog bite caused you to miss time from work and then show the amount of money you could have made had you been able to work.
Pay stubs and a letter from an employer can prove your lost wages if you are not self-employed. Self-employment can be a little trickier but hiring an attorney who is experienced with recovering lost wages after a dog bite can help. Lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer can help prove that you have lost the income that you are entitled to.
If you are unable to return to work completely or have to take a different job with a diminished income, America’s Consumer Lawyer can help ensure that you recover the wages you could have made if you had been completely healthy and able. Do not accept any settlements until you have spoken to one of our lawyers.
Approximately 95% of personal injury cases are settled before heading to trial. But, negotiating with insurance companies can be both frustrating and time-consuming. Allow the lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer to review your case and worry about negotiations. In the event that a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are ready to discuss the next steps, including taking your case to trial.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, we at America’s Consumer Lawyer are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement.
We at America’s Consumer Lawyer are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, including when you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
