Bitten by a Dog in Chicago? Bite Back with Brian Lewis.

Dog owners are responsible for their pets. If they have  renter’s or homeowner’s insurance, it will cover your damages which include pain and suffering, disfigurement (scars), emotional injuries, lost wages and medical bills.  

You may be entitled to significant compensation if you’re involved in a crash that isn’t your fault. Whether for small-scale damage, personal injury, or in cases of lost life, a car accident lawyer can help you find monetary compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, emotional damage, and more.

No. There is no “one-bite” rule in Illinois. That means that even in the first instance of aggression (regardless of whether the owner knew of their dog’s aggressive tendencies),, the owner can be held liable.

Additionally, insurance companies are not on your team. Dealing with them on your own may result in saying or doing something that could harm your case without even knowing it. Having a trusted attorney like Brian Lewis go up to bat for you from the get-go is critical.

No, Illinois does not recognize certain breeds as being more aggressive or dangerous than others. Moreover, you do not need to prove that the animal that attacked you is dangerous. 

If you’re bitten by a dog, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites can transmit diseases, so you may need to get a tetanus and/or rabies vaccination. Additionally, be sure to document everything — where it happened, photos of the injury, photos of the dog, and witness testimony if possible. If you can, get the dog owner’s contact info as well.

Yes, doctors in Illinois have to report dog bites to authorities within 24 hours.

Generally speaking, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois, although there are certain rare circumstances that may extend it. That being said, do NOT wait to contact an attorney if you’ve been bitten. The sooner you seek help, the more likely you are to win your case. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that witnesses will forget what happened. Additionally, the dog and its owner may be gone if you wait too long.