Were you bitten by someone else’s dog? For many people, dogs are a source of comfort and companionship; however, this bond doesn’t come without risks. Some dogs can become aggressive and bite, even without provocation. If you were bitten by a dog in Peoria, IL, we want to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
A Peoria dog bite lawyer at Joel E. Brown, P.C. will assert your legal rights. The dog’s owner may owe you money to pay for your injuries and emotional suffering. We have won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
Call us to schedule a free consultation with a Peoria dog bite attorney as soon as possible at (309) 673-4357.
How Can Joel E. Brown, P.C. Help Me After a Dog Bite In Peoria, IL?
Joel E. Brown, P.C. can help you navigate your legal case and get money to pay for medical treatment after a dog bite. Attorney Brown has more than 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases. His work includes representing people who have been hurt by dogs in Peoria, Illinois.
Attorney Brown has been recognized by Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys for the state of Illinois. He is dedicated not only to helping his clients recover money but also to moving forward after a traumatic dog bite.
If you call our Peoria personal injury lawyer after getting bitten, he will:
- Explain the law and your rights
- Investigate the case
- Calculate your damages
- File an insurance claim (if applicable in your case)
- File a personal injury lawsuit
- Negotiate with the defendant
- Represent you at every court hearing
- Fight for you in trial
There’s no financial downside to hiring us because we charge a contingency fee. If we lose your case, you don’t have to pay us anything. If we win, you will only have to pay us a percentage of your damages. This arrangement helps many clients access affordable legal services every year.
Call our office to schedule a free consultation with a Peoria dog bite attorney today.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Dog bite cases tend to vary drastically in value. That’s because some bites are minor, while others are severe. The value of your dog bite case will heavily depend on the type of injury.
Some factors that may increase the value of your case are:
- The type and severity of injury
- The cost and length of your medical treatment
- Your prognosis and the need for ongoing treatment
- If you are partially responsible for the bite
- If you are unable to work or missed a lot of work because of the injury
- If you have lasting emotional trauma from the dog bite
We can discuss these factors during your initial case evaluation. This discussion will give us an idea of your case value and what to expect at the end of the case. While we can estimate your damages, you may recover more or less money when everything concludes.
Who Is Responsible for My Injuries After a Dog Bite In Peoria?
Unlike many other states, Illinois applies strict liability rules for dog owners. A dog owner is responsible for any injuries that their dog causes, even if it is unforeseeable.
This means that owners who take precautions to restrain their dogs to prevent a bite can be held equally responsible as dog owners who take no precautions at all. Furthermore, even dog owners unaware of aggressive behavior can be held liable if their dog suddenly attacks.
There are two main exceptions to this rule: (1) whether the dog was provoked or (2) the victim trespassed on the dog owner’s property. Both of these exceptions are defenses to liability. The defendant must prove that the dog was provoked or that the plaintiff trespassed on their property.
Other Liable Parties
In addition to a dog’s owner, other people may also be held responsible for the dog bite injury. This may include people who had control or care of a dog at the time that it bit. For example:
- Dog walkers or pet sitters
- Veterinarians
- Landlords or property management companies
- Property owners
- The government
It is usually easiest to seek damages from the dog’s owner under a strict liability theory. However, it may be worth pursuing a case against other liable parties, especially if they have more money to pay for your medical bills and other damages. You want to make sure that you can fully recover what you deserve.
A Peoria dog bite lawyer can identify everyone responsible for the dog bite in your case to give you the best shot at recovery.
We Can Help You Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Joel E. Brown, P.C. can help you claim compensation for any type of dog bite injury. We have experience working with clients recovering from severe and life-altering injuries. In our experience, dog bites most commonly cause:
- Scarring
- Puncture wounds
- Facial damage
- Hand injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprained ankles
- Eye injuries
- Amputation
- Nerve damage
- Tetanus
- Rabies
- Staph infections
- Sepsis
- Bacterial infections
- Brain injuries
A Peoria dog bite lawyer can help you recover compensation to pay for your medical treatment. Furthermore, the money can go towards your pain and suffering and any change in your quality of life. These intangible damages can be just as valuable as monetary losses.
What Happens if I Am Blamed for the Dog Bite?
If you were bitten by a dog, it can be frustrating to get blamed for causing the attack. However, it’s pretty common for a dog’s owner to argue that you provoked the dog and were responsible for the bite. After all, they are trying to escape their liability.
Provocation
Provocation means that you did something that justified the dog’s attack. This may include:
- Physically abusing the dog or its puppies (either in the past or at the time of the attack)
- Hurting a dog in some way (either on purpose or on accident)
- Threatening the dog’s property, kennel, or owner in some way
For example, kicking a dog or stepping on its tail may justify a bite, but walking past a dog on the street would not.
Furthermore, the dog’s reaction must be proportionate to the perceived threat. That means that if a dog bites you as a warning after you step on its tail, it may be justified. However, a full-scale or deadly attack is not. Many dogs overreact to a threat, which is not a valid defense.
Modified Comparative Fault
Illinois also applies modified comparative fault rules. If you are pursuing damages under a negligence theory (such as from someone other than the dog’s owner), then you can still recover damages if you are partially to blame.
You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault. If you are 51% or more responsible, then you cannot recover anything at all.
What Damages Are Available for Dog Bite Victims In Illinois?
Dog bite victims can recover compensatory damages. Compensatory damages include economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are financial losses directly resulting from the bite or the injury. These losses commonly include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Follow-up medical treatment
- Medicine
- Therapeutic medical devices
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages include all other types of intangible losses. This type of loss is often called pain and suffering because it is payment for emotional damages. Some examples of non-economic damages are:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Mental illness
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
You must prove that you are entitled to the damages that you request. A Peoria dog bite attorney can help you calculate your damages and collect evidence to support your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Illinois?
You have two years to file a dog-bite lawsuit in Illinois. This deadline is important. If you miss it you will lose your right to recover compensation through the court. That means you’ll be on the hook for paying your own medical bills.
Hopefully, your case will be resolved without a lawsuit, either through an insurance claim or negotiation with the dog’s owner. If not, we are prepared to file a formal lawsuit within the two-year deadline to assert your legal claim for damages. Make sure that you reach out early enough for us to have time to prepare your case before the deadline.
Contact a Peoria Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Unfortunately, many people don’t talk to a lawyer after a dog bite in Peoria, IL. They assume that there isn’t anything to be done, especially if their injuries are relatively minor. However, they may miss out on money that they are entitled to recover from the dog’s owner.
Joel E. Brown, P.C. offers a free consultation to allow people to learn about their legal rights. There are no strings attached and no hidden fees. Call us to learn more about your legal options from a Peoria dog bite lawyer today.