Even the most mild-mannered dog may be capable of biting a person, depending on the circumstances. If you have been bitten by a dog, it may be in your best interest to consider filing a lawsuit against the owner of the dog responsible for your injuries. You may be able to negotiate a settlement with the liable dog owner before having to go to court. However, in some cases, a deal may not be reached and you will need to take your claim to civil court.
Generally, with regard to dog bites and animal-related injuries, Illinois is a strict liability state. This means that even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, and the owner had no idea that the dog had dangerous propensities, the owner will still be legally liable for your injuries. Other parties may also be liable for your injuries, including the kennel where the dog was staying at the time of the attack, property owners, landlords and the parents of a minor who owns a dog.
However, there are cases in which an owner may claim that the victim was contributorily negligent for their injuries. For example, if a person gets injured after ignoring the dog owner’s warnings or purposely provokes the animal, the dog owner may not be held completely liable for the victim’s injuries. If you are the victim of a dog bite and animal attack, you may be able to recover damages to cover your medical expenses if you file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that caused your injuries.